Sir, Anti-Israel activists perpetuate the myth that those who criticise the Jewish state are invariably accused of anti-Semitism (“Police accused of inaction as anti-Jewish alliance emerges”, Sept 7). This is ironic given that anyone who questions the racism, misogyny and aggression exhibited by thousands of Muslims around the world is clubbed with the word “Islamophobe”.

Contrary to the report of the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into anti-Semitism, almost all the anti-Jewish propaganda that successfully influences mainstream society emanates from the Left, not from an alliance between Muslims and the extreme Right. Leftists of various hues regularly march with Islamic radicals and co-opt “peace” marches, anti- globalisation rallies and just about any cause de jour to condemn Israel and its supporters.

It should come as no surprise that the only matters on which the far Right and the far Left agree are their condemnation of Israel and contempt for Jews. The difference is that the Left usually gets away with it.

STEFAN BIALOGUSKI
London NW4

Sir, The parliamentary report highlighted that not all police forces specifically capture data on anti-Semitic incidents. All forces record crime apparently motivated by hate, including racism and religious prejudice, but not all break these figures down into all the races and religions which coexist in this country. Nevertheless, all such incidents are treated seriously. We police an increasingly complex society where tensions are often exacerbated by events overseas. Greater integration will only happen if all parts of society, including the media, actively work to promote such an outcome.

PETER FAHY
Chief Constable of Cheshire and ACPO lead on race and diversity

Sir, With every Islamic terrorist attack, either successful or thwarted, the first thing we read is that it is not the fault of Islam; rather it is the fault of British foreign policy, and of our support for Israel. It is therefore easy in many people’s minds to transfer their anger from Israel to Britain’s Jewish community, which seems to be bearing the brunt of the backlash against our alliance with the US.

We are told all the time not to be anti-Islamic because of the actions of a few extremists, whereas there seems to be no similar warning against being anti-Semitic just because we may not approve of actions the Israeli Government takes.

ADAM HIRSCHOVITS
London

Sir, There is something surreal about Dr Rowan Williams trying to find common ground between two Israeli rabbis and radical Islamist imams (“Archbishop builds bridge for Muslim and Jewish leaders”, Sept 6). The former have supported innumerable peace overtures to the latter, whose goal continues to be the extermination of world Jewry. It is particularly rich that many of Williams’s bishops have condemned Israel as an aggressor. I see this as another example of the moral relativism and cowardice of the Church of England.

J. A. HOOPER
Shaftesbury

Sir, You state that “The report made it clear, however, that criticism of Israel should not be regarded as anti-Semitic”.

In fact page 36, point 180 of the report, states: “We conclude that whilst many have pointed out that criticism of Israel or Zionism is not necessarily anti-Semitic, the converse is also true: it is never acceptable to mask hurtful racial generalisations by claiming the right to legitimate political discourse.” Quite.

INNA TYSOE
Sacramento, California

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