Bert Raphael {letter :" Double standard" Oct.30} complains of double standards in the response to Chechen terrorists and Palestinian terrorists [sic], and the UN response to Israel. There is no mention of Israeli state terrorism, against Palestinians, Europeans, Americans and Jews, that continues unchallenged for decades. The Palestinians are under illegal occupation that has been allowed to stand for 35 years, in defiance of international law and repeated Security Council resolutions. International law and the UN Charter entitle all peoples under foreeign occupation to resist, by all their means, such foreign occupation and domination.

As to double standards, that truly exists. There is no better example than the contrasting treatment of Iraq and Israel for defiance of UN resolutions. Iraq is subjected to sanctions for 12 years and threatened with US invasion, for alleged failure to allow UN inspectors. Israel stands in violation and defiance of over 70 UN and Security Council resolutions, including refusal to allow UN inspectors [Security Council Resolution # 1405]. Yet Israel receives continued support by the US and its allies.

The insinuation of antisemitism is incredible. Israel,unlike all other nations, must be allowed a unique immunity from any criticism of its policies,lest it be called antisemitism . How long must Israel remain above international law?