IN answer to Andrew Hall, who stated that the Palestinians' claim to land is bogus (You Say, August 15) he based his whole argument on the Old Testament.

He applied the Old Testament as the criteria to justify Israel's claim to the Holy Land. By the same criteria then, should America be given back to the Indians and Australia to the Aborigines?

And how does Mr Hall balance his argument against the New Testament? Jesus - the Son of God - did not differentiate between classes or nationalities.

He scorned the Pharisees, moneylenders and high priests. In contrast, he associated himself with tax collectors, Roman Centurions, Samaritans and Phoenicians. Also, the temple curtain was split open, to signify the beginning of the new covenant.

L SPITERI, Worcester.