Mick Hartley

Malcolm Rifkind's opinion piece in the Times last Thursday is full of advice for the Israelis: what they must do to achieve a lasting peace, and how they should vote in future. He offers, unsurprisingly, not a word to the Palestinians, who, in keeping with the standard formulation, are merely passive victims in all this. Now Talya Lador Fresher, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Israeli Embassy, responds:

Sir, As a representative of the State of Israel, I wish to thank Malcolm Rifkind for his instructions (Opinion, Mar 18) on how we should all vote in any future general election. It is particularly good of him to call merely for a “peaceful uprising,” in our country, rather than something more violent.

We appreciate Sir Malcolm’s advice on “what Israel needs”. He forgot, unfortunately, to mention what Israel really needs. What Israel really needs is Western allies who recognise the responsibility of the Palestinians for their constant excuses to avoid negotiations.

What Israel really needs is for the world to remember that Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel for decades, and that Jews have been the largest community there throughout the ages.

What Israel does not need is for outsiders to attempt to dictate to our electorate which way to vote.

If Sir Malcolm still wishes to advise on electoral procedure within the Middle East, perhaps he could turn his attention to some of our neighbours, for whom a vote is but a dream, and a “peaceful uprising” but a shortcut to the hangman’s noose.

All of which seems fair enough to me, but such a spirited defence does not go down well with Times readers, who, as I write, are universally hostile. Here's the most recommended comment:

I think that Israel will one day push its luck too far, with dire consequences for all of us. It should get out of the land it has stolen before it is too late.

Those pushy Jews, eh? Ah yes…