Sir, – Minister for Justice Alan Shatter characterises a cultural boycott of Israel as “cultural fascism” (Home News, May 9th) . The Minister’s criticism of exclusively peaceful opposition stands in marked contrast to his silence on Israel’s violent oppression of the Palestinian people, denial of their human rights, and relentless colonisation of their country. The Minister’s words are a disturbing echo of the criticism levelled at a similar boycott that was employed in opposition to apartheid South Africa. Historically, peaceful protest has not featured as a component of the fascist movement, regrettably the same cannot be said of violence and oppression. – Yours, etc,