YET again, Mr Mallinson misrepresents my views.

He claims to be quoting me as writing that "the Palestinians had a political reason for suicide bombers because the state of Israel was formed as a direct result of terrorism".

This is a fabrication by Mr Mallinson. I was clearly pointing out the double standards intent in Mr Mallinson dismissing Palestinian suicide bombers as merely "politically motivated," while ignoring the incomparably greater violence involved in the founding and maintenance of the state of Israel, not to mention recent acts by Mr Sharon deliberately designed to provoke a violent response.

MARTIN TOPPING

Lyddon Way