I HAD to read Tom Wareing's letter twice to convince myself it wasn't a joke.

He makes good points about the consequences of this so-called war but what on earth is he thinking about using a loaded term like 'international Zionism' twice?

This language is best left in the dusty pages of Hitler's Mein Kampf, where it originated.

Certainly, the behaviour of Israel towards the Palestinian people since 1947/48 has been shameful and brutal but Mr Wareing undermines his case by making the ridiculous assertion that 'Bush and his toady Blair are being manipulated by international Zionism'.

Mr Wareing should also take careful note that the historical events he refers to arose immediately after six million deaths in the Holocaust which itself followed centuries of virulent anti-semitism across Europe - fuelled by, among other things, inflammatory racist language and anti-Jewish conspiracy theories.

Perhaps he might reflect on that before delivering his next history lesson?

Stephen Smith

Ibrox Cottage

Feckenham