We note with surprise that, in your address to the Canada Israel Committee, you referred,repeatedly, to Palestinian ' terrorism' and 'terrorist' attacks, but not once you described any of Israeli killing of Palestinians, extrajudicial execution of some of their leaders or the demolition of thousands of their homes,expropriation of their land, to create llegal settlements, and a whole series of Israeli acts as "terrorism". I am sure you are aware that all these acts are in violation of international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention, and have been condemned by UN Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International and Israeli human rights groups, including B'Tselem and the Israeli League for Civil and Human rights, amongst others including the International Committee for Red Cross, which described some of these actions as war crimes. Are these "the values of tolerance and human rights that we share with Israel", that you referred to? You spoke of Israel's "democratic institutions.'" Need I remind you that these democratic institutions and principles do not apply to Christian and Muslim citizens of the state of Israel?

You spoke of personally telling the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Mr. Qureia, of the need for the Palestinians to stop their acts of terrorism against Israelis. Dare we assume that you will be passing the same message to the Israeli President, Mr. Katsav? You spoke of "Israel's right to defend itself". Are the Palestinians entitled the right to resist foreign occupation, as enshrined in international law?

We note that there was not a single reference, in your speech, to the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory, that has been allowed to stand for 35 years, in defiance of international law and repeated Security Council resolutions. Is upholding of the UN Charter still one of "the tenets of our foreign policy" ?

You spoke, rightly, of our country's committment to "prohibit donations for terrorist activities." Does this apply to our tax-deductible dollars that have been used by Canadian Jewish National Fund[ JNF] to create the infamy called " Canada Park" built at the sites of the systematically dynamited villages of Imwas[Emmaus], Yalu and Beit Nuba [my own home town], erased from the face of the earth after their occupation, without a single bullet being fired, in June 1967? This has been described, by then Israeli member of Knesset Uri Avnery, as a war crime. It is in the view of many Canadians and Israelis a dishonor to have Canada's name linked to this crime.

You were quite right when you said that the killing of innocent Israelis and Palestinians is unacceptable and that only through a just peace can security for both peoples be assured. This peace must be in concordance with international law and UN resolutions.