Sir, - Ms Margaret John, in her letter (April 2nd) appears to be confusing the issue of security for Israel with that of human rights.
Israel, as other democracies, maintains that the basic human rights of all persons under its jurisdiction must never be violated regardless of the crimes that individual may have committed. Israel, at the same time, recognises its responsibility to protect the lives of both Jews and Arabs from the Palestinian terror organisations, active around the world.
To prevent terrorism effectively while ensuring the basic human rights of even the most dangerous criminals, Israel has adopted strict rules of interrogation. These rules are designed to enable investigators to obtain crucial information on terrorist activities from suspects who, for obvious reasons, would not volunteer information on their activities, while ensuring that the suspect is not maltreated.
As far as the method of interrogation to which Ms John refers Israel recognises the danger posed to the democratic value of the state by the use of unduly harsh forms of pressure. Therefore moderate physical pressure is sanctioned, as in other democratic countries, in limited cases where the degree of anticipated danger is considerable.
It should be noted that these rules should be seen against the background of escalating terror. The years since the signing of the Oslo agreement in 1993 have been the bloodiest since the establishment of the State of Israel. During this period Palestinian terrorist groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad have planned and perpetrated violent attacks, such as the recent one in a Tel Aviv cafe, which have resulted in the death - and injury of hundreds of innocent victims. The spate of suicide bombings has made it imperative for Israel's security services to work as effectively as possible in order to prevent further terrorist attacks and to ensure the safety of the population.
Israel is faced with a new form of terrorism, so called "God Inspired" terrorism - "human bombs". Israel is not fighting a conventional war, as Ms John argues, there are no military means to combat it. The only way is to try to dissuade future "human bombs" from perpetrating their horrible deed and this Israel is doing with the utmost care for human lives.
Israel prides itself on having an open society and a democratic legal system which is subject to public scrutiny and respects human values. - Yours, etc.,
Ambassador of Israel,
Embassy of Israel,
Pembroke Road,
Dublin 4.