----- Original Message -----

From: Ismail Zayid

To: Halifax Herald

Cc: Bev Dauphinee

Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 12:22 PM

Subject: It is the occupation.....

July 29, 2007

The Editor,

The Chronicle Herald.

Dear Editor;

In you editorial, ["New hope in Middle East" July 27], you state, amongst a number of historical misrepresentations, that :" Hamas, however, remains an obstacle [to peace]". Perhaps it is worth reminding you that Hamas was elected to form a government only 18 months ago. Israel has been operating an oppressive illegal occupation of Palestinian territory for 40 years, in defiance of international law and repeated Security Council resolutions. Thus, pray, who is truly the obstacle to peace in the Middle East?

Interestingly, throughout your lengthy tirade, there is no mention, at all, of the occupation.. Perhaps, it is relevant to remind you that the Palestinian people and authorities have, for decades, expressed recognition of the state of Israel and willingness to live in peace with Israelis and their only demand is that Israel should terminate completely its brutal and illegal occupation of their land and comply with international law and UN resolutions.

Finally, I believe that you owe it to your readers to present a balanced and less biased views of this conflict, which has a great impact on regional and international peace.

Yours sincerely,

Ismail Zayid, MD.