Closing border to Israeli kids is close-minded

One wonders what ‘courage’ it takes to ban school children from exchange visits because of their nationality (Letters, Apr 16)?

A union has resolved to exclude Israelis from educational exchange visits, but I am convinced Irish school teachers will not check whether students named Cohen or Levy hold Israeli passports, before accepting them on a cultural visit to Ireland. Human contact, dialogue and the broadening of minds encourage peace. As the co-chair of Northern Ireland Friends of Israel, I want more — not fewer — Israeli and Palestinian children visiting Ireland.

Steven Jaffe