Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2006 4:26 PM

Subject: The height of audacity.

Nov. 25, 2006

The Editor,

The Halifax Herald.

Dear Editor:

It is the height of audacity for Mark David [Letter, Nov. 25], to speak of the " 'allegedly' disproportionate response against Lebanese civilians and their civilian infrastructure" by Israel in Lebanon in July. Israel, in fact, killed over 1200 Lebanese and destroyed the entire infrastructure of south Lebanon and numerous towns an villages, and demolished thousands of homes. In addition, Israel dropped in Lebanon over 4 million cluster bombs that comtinue to kill children as well, as reported yesterday, two international experts working to dismantle these internationally-condemned weapons of murder. All this, we are told was to obtain the release of two Israeli soldiers captured in a military encounter. Yet Israel continues to hold over 10,000 Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners kidnapped by Israel and held for decades.

As to the hundreds of women, who stood to defend their homes and the homes of their neighbours, whom Mark David describes as terrorists, from the criminal attacks by the Israeli bombers and bulldozers, they do not have the equivelent F16's and Apaches to defend themselves from these acts of state terrorism, which are in violation of international law and the Fourth Geneva convention, and have been condemned by all international and Israeli human rights groups. Israel, in fact, killed some of these demonstrating women few days ago. The ineffective Qassam rockets are the instruments of defenceless people resisting foreign occupation.

Mr. David speaks of "Israeli disengagement from Gaza over a year ago." This charade was an instrument that changed the Gaza Strip into an open prison denied access to the outside world as well as food, water and health care and has killed hundreds of innocent civilians, since then.

Perhaps, it is relevant to remind Mr. David and all israel's apologists that it is time for Israel to terminate completely its illegal occupation of Palestinian land, that has been allowed to stand for 39 years, in defiance of international law and repeated Security Council resolutions. It is only with Israeli compliance with international law and UN resolutions that peace can be assured for Palestinians and Israelis in this tortured land.

Sincerely,

Ismail Zayid, MD.