the truth - more facts from israel , page-34

black and white? Imagine this. Israeli anti-terrorist police discover a plot to release ultra-toxic ricin gas into Jerusalem. As part of their investigation, they enter the Al-Aqsa mosque and arrest Mufti Sabri and some of his followers on suspicion of terrorism?

How would the estimable Kofi Annan describe this necessary action? 'Criminal', 'racist', 'anti-Moslem' come immediately to mind. Imagine the posturing of the Arab League and the condemnations by the Syrian-led UN Security Council.

Try another scenario: Osama and his henchmen are holed up in St Paul's Cathedral in London. While they refuse to leave alive, they spend their time looting Church artefacts, icons and torturing clergy. Would Tony Blair hesitate to send in the cavalry? Of course not.

The Age reports that British police raided a mosque in North London on Monday, arresting a number of individuals on suspicion of terrorism. Where is the outcry from the world's premier diplomats? Why aren't the Arab nations threatening Britain? Not a peep from the UN.

I suppose that terrorism and the responses to terrorism are indeed relative.