Dear Mr. Sacranie,

I was very impressed with your letter to the Times today. I am neither Muslim, nor Jewish, (Catholic actually), but have been increasingly concerned at the polarisation between the two religions since Sept. 11.
It's partly the fault of the media in that it appears that extremist groups always seem to be prominently quoted, whereas groups like yourselves, who condemn suicide bombers or attacks on synagogues are ignored.
This is all to the detriment of Muslims in the country, as it associates a great religion with fanaticism and intolerance. In the interests of social cohesion, I sincerely hope that British Jews take up your call for dialogue and responsible leadership.

Yours sincerely,

Problem is Iqbal,that any criticism of almost anything these days invites being labelled an extremist.Criticism of Israel does not make one anti-Semitic,just as the same of Islam,a racist.With this sort of hysterical dialogue flying around,a dreadful situation is being worsened.Just when will people such as Mrs Wagerman realise that such rants do nothing but alienate sensible debate and support?Or is that something they are not comfortable with?Regards.

Attn Mr Iqbal A. K. M. Sacranie

Dear Mr Sacranie

I read your letter in the Times on Monday. I am not a member of the Board of Deputies, but am Jewish and active in Jewish affairs in London.

You were dismayed by Jo Wagerman's comments. I was depressed to read the second paragraph of your letter.

You see, whether or not the world wishes to believe it, Mr Barak made a most significant offer to the Palestinians at Camp David. Its refusal led directly to the election of Ariel Sharon who has a particular mandate from his people, instituted through the democratic process. The clear slant identified by ex-President Clinton and other US representatives who were directly involved in the negotiations, is that the Palestinian delegation walked away from Tarba and not the Israelis.

However that is as may be. Ping pong arguments along those lines are not really constructive. We are where we are today. Not an inviting position. But, difficult as it may be for others to accept, the Israelis have indicated their desire for peace and willingness to negotiate. The Palestinian response is to seek deliberately to maim the old, the young and other innocent civilians without discrimination.

Whilst you maintain the fiction,, that all refugees and their descendants have the right of return and all settlements are illegal, there can be little prospect of peace. It is suggested that at Tarba a figure of about 60,000 returning refugees was under consideration, but I would have to check my sources to establish the accuracy of that. To offer the unqualified right of return would lead to the destruction of the State.

Many settlements are constructed on land legally purchased from previous Arab neighbours many years ago. In any event the whole question of the settlements was under discussion at Camp David and Tarba, but the talks were not pursued!

The main issue is that if peace is genuinely in prospect and the Arab nations are willing to accept the existence of Israel, these matters will no doubt be the subject of detailed examination with some compromises on both sides. It is fruitless to write in such a one sided fashion. Your conditions demonstrate no element of positive or creative thought.

There must be a sensible dialogue from the Arab side. More warfare - for that is what has been experienced - will result in further Israeli reactions and could ultimately lead to a change of Prime Minister, when the Palestinians could face a completely obdurate negotiating stance from a different Israeli Government.

We all desperately need the establishment of an atmosphere in which diplomatic and political discussions can flourish. That does mean that those of both faiths, Jewish and Muslim, standing at the edge of the debate have to be able to come together and understand the issues on both sides without rhetoric or cant.

You will appreciate that these view are my own. Jo Wagerman and I have not met personally and I have not spoken to her about my intention to write to you in this way. However, as her name is mentioned, I am, as a matter of courtesy, sending a copy of the e-mail to her.

Yours sincerely,

Dear Mr Sacranie

A member of my congregation faxed me your letter from the Times, knowing of my interest in balanced reporting of the Middle East. We at the West London Synagogue of British Jews are holding a peace seminar and service on 26th May, precisely to emphasise your own point, that talking is the only way to try and understand the pain and hurt of the other community.

Whilst we find the suicide attacks heartbreaking and impossible to understand from a religious point of view, many in the Jewish community, particularly amongst Reform and Liberal Jews, also find the loss of life amongst Palestinians heartbreaking ,and have tried to do something symbolic to help such as sending money to the Israeli charity 'B'tzelem' which is sending food aid to Palestinian towns such as Jenin.

I hope that Jews and Muslims in this country will always be able to talk to each other with courtesy, even when we disagree strongly about the situation in Israel/Palestine

In Peace

Dear Sir/Madam,

For the love of God, please ask these insane media networks to refrain from using the contradictory term "Islamic terrorist". Recently the BBC has been labelling Kashmiri sepratist groups as "Islamic terrrorists"!!! This is total insanity. What are we doing to combat such stupidity? You are the ones with the greatest voices therefore please for the love of God do something soon!