The Hindu : India and Israel

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 09, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

India and Israel

Sir, — The Editorial `India's stake in Palestine cause' (April 5): Israel is the only country to recognise Kashmir, including those parts occupied by Pakistan, to be part of India and certainly Israel is a democratic state with freedom of speech and religion. Secondly, as far as Israel being blamed for damaging churches is concerned, I find it absurd. Israel would not want to hurt the sentiments of so many Christians by `desecrating' Holy sites. This is exactly what is happening in Jammu and Kashmir with our security personnel too. Pakistan-based militant groups use mosques as hideouts while our security personnel force them out and at the same time refrain from causing any damage to the mosques. Israel is and will always be our friend as it is one of the few countries which sympathises with India in matters relating to cross-border terrorism.

Ben Thomas,
Secunderabad

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Sir, — Israel has been at the forefront of battling terrorism since its creation, and has been a victim of cross-border terrorism with which India is quite familiar. It has been daily facing terrorist attacks by suicide bombers.

Palestinians need a home of their own, and Israel has pledged to withdraw from all occupied territories in the West Bank. However, it can do so only when Yasser Arafat also plays by the rules and controls elements wedded to terrorism. Can India ever have peace as long as Pakistan's ISI continues to support terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir?

Vembar K. Ranganathan,
New York

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