The Times of London has published this letter from John Bond, a founding member of the Balfour Project and a member of the Balfour Project Advisory Forum.
Sir, I disagree with the assertion in your leading article that any democratic government would have liberated its citizens by the means used by the Israel Defence Forces (“Free the Hostages”, Jun 10). Widespread civilian deaths are senseless, as they only increase terrorist recruitment. Northern Ireland would not be peaceful today if the British Army had adopted such tactics. Israel needs to recognise that Palestinians are not going anywhere and that the only answer to terrorism is a sovereign Palestinian nation, where they can live in peace alongside their Israeli neighbours.
John Bond
Oxford