Is Israel racist?
Sir: Hewlett Johnson, the late 'Red' Dean of Canterbury, used to travel in Eastern Europe saying very hard things about Britain. He was allowed to continue in his job and was in no way interfered with. This was proof of Britain's democracy. So it is with Israel and Dr Shahak (Is Israel racist ?', Patrick Marnham, 6 March).
Dr Shahak, the darling of the Arab lobby in this country, holds a position as a lecturer in chemistry at Israel's leading university. He is allowed to continue in his job and to travel abroad and say what he likes about Israel without interference. This is the proof of Israel's democracy.
The answer to the mass of innuendo, half truth and downright Soviet-style disinformation expressed by Dr Shahak must be set against the fact that the Israeli Arabs taking part in the one man one vote multi-party democracy of Israel actually enjoy more democracy as Israelis than in any Arab state, which are all one-party dictatorships.
As Arabic has been made an official national language of the state alongside Hebrew, the Arabs of Israel also enjoy more cultural rights than any minority in any Arab state.
David M. Jacobs 23 Worley Road, St Albans, Herts.
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