Sir, Dr Ghada Karmi (T2, November 23; see also letter, November 25) refers to the “cost to the Palestinians of creating Israel 56 years ago”. However, both the League of Nations and the United Nations supported the creation of the Jewish State.

Jewish Palestinians accepted less than they had hoped for when Western Palestine was partitioned by the UN in November 1947. Arab Palestinians rejected this compromise, and sought to reverse the decision by force of arms. Arab armies attempted to wipe out Israel in l948, l967 and l973.

The tragedy here is not the birth of Israel, but the intransigence of Palestinian leaders, who have promised their followers that, ultimately, the Jewish State will be wiped off the face of the earth.

Yours sincerely,
DANIEL FROHWEIN,
31 Golders Rise,
NW4 2HX.
November 25.

From Mr John Pelter

Sir, Julie Burchill describes how a place that was “just another regular barren Arab desert” was “turned into a Garden of Eden”. I am sure that the several hundred thousand Palestinian people who were dispossessed and driven into exile and squalor, may have thought differently.

Yours,
JOHN PELTER,
14 Maple Close,
Petts Wood, Kent BR5 1LP.
November 25.