DAVID Lacey thinks that the outgoing Israeli government was committed to the principle of an independent Palestinian state co-existing alongside Israel (HAS, April 16).

However, that government continued to expand the illegal Jewish settlements, and to construct the “separation barrier” which denies Palestinians access to their farms, schools and places of employment.

The objective remained the same as that of previous governments – to contain the Palestinians within a number of semi-autonomous enclaves, or open-air prisons. Nothing like a viable state was contemplated.

He also asks why I do not label Hamas as a terrorist organisation. How would that help? If terrorism means deliberately attacking non-combatants, then both sides are guilty.

There will always be Arabs who seek to destroy Israel, and Israelis who believe that the whole of Palestine belongs to the Jews. These extremists on both sides will only be defeated, and the violence ended, by a just settlement.

This would require acceptance of Israel’s right to exist, Israel’s complete withdrawal from all of the occupied territories, and amendment of the repulsive and anti-semitic Hamas charter.

This could only be achieved through negotiations without preconditions, involving Hamas as well as other parties.

Pete Winstanley, Durham.