23 October, 2000

Council for Arab-British Understanding
1 Gough Square
London EC4A 3DE

T: 020 7832 1310
F: 020 7832 1329

'Different Image'

Sir, Alan Philps refers to the restored image of Israel's snatch squad (report, Oct. 20). This is the image inside Israel. Palestinians and human rights organisations see it differently. According to Israeli human rights sources, these units have killed nearly 200 Palestinians since 1988. These people were not given the right to any trial - simply they were assassinated. The units sow fear and suspicion among Palestinians. I have seen Palestinians scatter when fully veiled women walk past, fearing that they might be such a squad. These squads do nothing to improve relations between the two people.