I REFER to D E Margrett's letter (You Say, September 6) regarding Israel.

Such nonsense to talk of Israel as he does. Great Britain had a mandate to administer Israel - and a right mess we made of it.

There was always prejudice against the Jews, which was probably a reflection of the then Government's prejudice.

The way ex-concentration camp refugees were treated (incarcerated in yet another camp after the war) was inhuman.

The Stern gang were not allies of Britain's enemies, but merely trying to help their own people, even if one does not approve of their methods.

It was the influential Arab Mullah who strongly supported Hitler against Britain.

Everyone criticises Israel for occupying Palestinian land. Why no explanation of how that came about?

The UN voted to partition Palestine so that Jews and Arabs could rule their own people.

In May 1948, the day after Israel was declared an independent state, Syria, Jordan and Egypt invaded Israel, determined, as they expressed it, to "push Israel into the sea".

Of course, we know now that it didn't work. If Egypt and Jordan later made peace and Israel returned all the land it had occupied to Egypt, why haven't the Palestinians realised how much better their lives would be if they had as much sense?

With their advanced and modern knowledge, Israel could and would have been so helpful in the development of Palestine.

My heart goes out to the Palestinians who are exploited by their own rulers who are afraid of losing power. There are many very comfortable Arab businesses in Israel.

JO JOHNSON,

Alexandra Road,

Malvern.