/ 9 November 2001

Draft resistance in Israel

I have been sent a letter about 62 young Israelis refusing to do military service. I have not heard or seen any reports about them and their plight. I am sure there are many who would be very interested to hear about this stand by these young men.

This has a lot of relevance to our situation as, you will recall, during the 1980s many young white men refused to do military service because they recognised the oppressive nature of the then South African Defence Force.

It is commendable what these young men are doing. Michael Vorster, Durban

It is often suggested that it is good news when there is no news.

Might this apply to the Israeli/Palestinian affair?

Your November 2 issue did not carry anything about the conflict in the Middle East but, alas, the killings have continued unabated as a matter of routine.

How incredibly cheap human life has become in the Holy Land, of all places.

This is land that once flowed with milk and honey but now with blood, tears and hatred.

It would seem that the present inhabitants of the territory need outside assistance from those who still care about the designated holiness of the land to let the holiness touch them for peace.

Surely, the land has had enough desecration. Michael E Aken’Ova University of Venda