ELECTIONS IN ISRAEL

DAVID GOLDING,

DAVID GOLDING,

Madam, - We wish to underline that the Supreme Court in Israel acts with total impartiality. Hence Ronit Lentin (January 6th) was premature regarding the potential ban of political candidates. She need not have worried.

Showing their usual impeccability, the Supreme Court Justices ruled (January 9th) in favour of not only the Arab member of Knesset, Azmi Bishara, running in the forthcoming election of January 28th but also Mr Ahmed Tibi and the Jewish right-wing candidate Baruch Marzel. The court also decided that defence minister Mr Shaul Mofaz and Likud member Mr Moshe Feiglin have been excluded on technical grounds.

These rulings further reinforce the strength of the democratic process in Israel - the only democracy in the Middle East. They also emphasise the fact that both Jewish and Arab Israelis are franchised to vote in and run for elections. - Yours etc.

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DAVID GOLDING, Press Officer, Israel Embassy, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.