Curb Zionism to bring peace to Middle East

During a 32-year career with an international organisation, I have lived and worked in many countries including Iran and Iraq (between 1988 and 1990), Syria; and Israel.

I would like to make the following observations:

* Prior to the Iranian revolution, Iran maintained close relations with the US and Israel. Military equipment was provided by the US. Many engineering projects were conducted by Israeli companies;

* The Iran-Iraq conflict offered many western countries the opportunity to provide military hardware to Iraq;

* Members of the Jewish faith are residing in Iran, Iraq, and Syria. They are free to engage in commerce. This would indicate that any problems the Governments have are not with members of the Jewish faith but with the state of Israel.

Let us not forget the state of Israel conducted a policy of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and pursued a policy of state-sponsored murder when such suited its needs, as well as discrimination against Israeli Arabs (those Arabs who remained within the state of Israel after 1948). A visit to an Israeli Arab village will confirm that. There are serious restrictions on where Israeli Arabs may live.

Arabs and Jews lived in the Middle East for hundreds of years. Many believe they can do so again if Zionism can be curtailed. Let us all hope so.

Michael A Moriarty

Rochestown

Cork