While Ruth Zakh of the Israeli embassy criticises the Gaza feature for lack of balance (Letters, 24 January) she does not mention the fact that Israel refused entry to all international media during the conflict. If there is comparable Israeli documentation of the devestation, perhaps it could be shared with us. It might contribute to greater balance.

I find Ms Zakh's letter inaccurate and misleading on many points - generally lacking in balance.

For example, she states that Israel left Gaza "completely" in 2005. Israel did leave Gaza, but not as completely as she claims. In fact, Gaza is so entirely surrounded on land, sea and in the air by Israeli military forces that international law still firmly recognises Israel as being the occupying power there, with attendant responsibilities. The Palestinian people are a "protected people" under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Gaza is not free of the occupation. So, Zakh's bald statement is at best misleading and I point this out in the interest of some balance. Palestinian resistance does have a cause - the occupation - and Zakh should be fair enough to give it its context.

On the issue of Palestinian leaders using civilians as human shields, Zakh again fails to mention that all international human rights groups, as well as the UN's Goldstone Report, apportions very great blame to Israel.

Among other grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention committed by Israeli forces in Gaza, the report finds "that the use of human shields also constitutes a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court"(P 537). I would like to point this out also in the interest of balance.

I agree with Zakh that peace will be achieved – but only through real justice and respect for the rule of law, not through unbalanced journalism. For the sake of peace, let us all try a little harder towards that end.

Rosario Walsh

Kill, Co Kildare