Dan Buckley’s article ‘Lifeblood of the World is Running Dry’ (Sept 5) suggests that a leading motivating factor in Israel’s participation in the 1967 Six Day War against three Arab armies was its desire to conquer water sources in the West Bank and the Golan Heights.

PLANS to extend an Irish peace-keeping mission in the Middle East almost caused war in Government after it emerged the Cabinet only met to decide whether to sanction the move the day the troops flew out.