Unsubstantiated allegations Consistent with the above example of the Tribunal’s proclivity for making unsubstantiated allegations with no pretence at providing credible evidence, the Tribunal makes the reckless claim that “the hacking into the Russell Tribunal website reveals the criminal activities of Zionist operatives”. I am surprised that you subscribe to this patently irresponsible charge. Did you not consider the high probability that the malfunction might have been due to a technical fault?   When you say that the evidence for Israel being an apartheid state is overwhelming, I can only assume this claim is made with the same reckless disregard for credibility as the above knee-jerk allegations.   Your invalid and unsubstantiated statement “Peace is the last thing on the agenda for the organized thuggery that masquerades as a government. The operations of the so-called Israeli mafia are not only immensely profitable, but are politically protected and encouraged” ill befits a journalist of your stature. I am unable to deal with these broad allegations without seeing some substantiated details of actions that lead you to these mind-boggling conclusions.   Your allegations that my letter to President Zuma was deceitful and that I repeatedly smear Mr Hessel and Archbishop Tutu as being anti-Semitic are absurd. I challenge you to produce one shred of evidence that I have ever referred to either of these persons as anti-Semitic. In fact I consistently avoid ad hominem attacks and prefer to address the issues. I insist therefore that you either substantiate or withdraw these scurrilous allegations.   Goldstone I have difficulty understanding the hysterical reactions to Judge Goldstone’s two opeds. As the views he expressed in his report were widely applauded, there is something intellectually dishonest about the outright rejection when his views differ from the fixed perceptions of his former admirers.   Goldstone has demonstrated courage and intellectual honesty in publicly stating his views and one should expect no less from any honest person. It is dishonest to stubbornly repeat views as if written in stone, when subsequent evidence proves otherwise. Even Einstein admitted to changing his views. He added “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”   Challenges Your challenge that I stand at the Bethlehem checkpoint to witness the humiliation inflicted by Israeli soldiers on Palestinians is well made. In sympathy with Israeli civilian organizations, like Machsom Watch, I am deeply disturbed by what happens at these checkpoints.   Unfortunately, checkpoints are necessary to prevent terrorists like recently released Palestinian prisoner Wafa Al Biss from carrying out their plans. On her return to Gaza, she encouraged cheering schoolchildren to follow her example.   You may know that Wafa's life was saved by doctors at Soroka hospital in Beersheba where she was successfully treated for massive burns suffered in a gas-tank explosion. She developed a good relationship with the medical team and her family was so appreciative of the six-month treatment she received that they wrote a letter of appreciation to the doctors. It said "the care was wonderful and warm".   Nevertheless, on June 20, 2005 Wafa entered the Erez crossing ostensibly to travel to Soroka hospital for further treatment. However, this time, she intended to carry out a suicide bombing in the hospital where she had received such excellent treatment. A belt of explosives was hidden in her underclothes.   Her heavy clothing aroused suspicion at the crossing and when the explosive belt was revealed, she attempted unsuccessfully, to detonate it.   Wafa revealed that she had been instructed by the Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade to use her personal medical authorization documents, to carry out a dastardly suicide attack in a crowded portion of the Israeli hospital which had treated her.   Not even al-Qaeda targets hospitals and the thunderous silence of the Russell Tribunal’s jurors and witnesses about the many egregious actions of this nature that make checkpoints necessary is disturbing. See this NBC video clip of the incident   Wafa’s case is not unique. There have been many instances of attempts to smuggle bombs concealed in ambulances. All these attempts are inspired by incessant incitement to violence and hatred of Jews and infidels.   My question to you is how can we discourage the PA and Hamas from their continuous incitement and encouragement of terrorism, so that security measures like checkpoints and the Wall become unnecessary and a two-state solution becomes possible?   The PA repeatedly rejects Israel's right to exist, presents the conflict as a religious battle for Islam and Israel's destruction is taught as a Palestinian obligation.   A Fatah member of Palestinian parliament, Najat Abu Bakr, told PA TV that the PA’s public position is the old “stages plan” to proclaim publicly that what they seek is only the West Bank and Gaza Strip, while in fact the real goal is all of Israel.   The above views are consistent with the hate-filled charters of the PLO and Hamas which bear no resemblance to the ANC’s Freedom Charter. While the ANC Charter states “South Africa shall strive to maintain world peace and the settlement of all international disputes by negotiation - not war” article 9 of the PLO Charter declares that armed struggle is not merely tactical, it is the overall strategy.   The Hamas charter makes it absolutely clear there is no room for peaceful negotiation. Article 13 unambiguously states “Initiatives, and so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences, are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement. . proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time”.   The irrationality of the Hamas concept, so different from the sober tone of the ANC Charter, is illustrated by obsessive phobia about freemasons, rotary clubs, Lions and similar organizations, promising that these organizations will be obliterated when Islam is in control.   It is implausible to expect persons who subscribe to the above principles and are indoctrinated from infancy to hate their neighbours, to seek peace with them. Allow me to refer you to the example of this video clip   Since you challenged me, I reciprocate by challenging you to view the above clips, read the charters and then justify the Tribunal’s deliberate avoidance of these realities in the context of the ME conflict.   Organized Crime I cannot see the relevance of your reference to the Wikileaks revelation that a former US ambassador reported on organized crime in Israel other than this being another big stick to wield against Israel. Yes! Organized crime is a large and distressing problem in Israel as in many other countries and we are doing our best to deal with it, but with respect I ask what it has to do with apartheid?   Surely you will agree that South Africa and Zimbabwe have greater problems with their organized crime? Permit me to quote Matthew 7:5, “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye”.   Positive contribution to Peace I would like very much to pursue the sentiment in your final paragraph in which you say “Nonetheless, we remain hopeful that the people of Israel and Palestine will before long resolve this prolonged conflict and, to the surprise of the international community, will thereafter make immensely positive contributions to peace in the Middle East and the world”.    I would be very pleased to promote this worthy aim in cooperation with you. Sincerely