I MUST compliment you for carrying the story of a systematic house demolition to be carried out by the Israeli authorities ("Home of attacker ready for demolition", The Herald, July 28). This was the family home of a Palestinian youth who attacked an Israeli settler household, killing one person and injuring others and who was, inevitably, quickly shot dead by an armed neighbour.

Although the boy was in effect executed for his crime, the Israeli authorities have, as is routine, set about destroying the property of his family and rendering them homeless. We may not justify the desperate action of a Palestinian youth against people he sees as invaders, but the regular and brutal retribution in such cases is extraordinary. It is certainly collective punishment and racist in the sense that there is no equivalent treatment of the families of Israeli citizens who commit violent crimes.

Though there are incidents of this extreme kind happening in Palestine every day very little is reported unless, briefly, when Palestinians resort to mass suicidal action as happened at the Gaza fence. Perhaps if there was regular coverage in the media generally there would be greater awareness of the plight of the Palestinians. Strangely, our politicians also generally turn the other way.

It is frequently asked why Israel should be held to different standards from other states. A good question. No other democratic civilised western state behaves as the Israeli state does in its dealings with the subjugated Palestinians and escapes with so little comment or criticism. It seems inconceivable that the world should accept that such actions are the only way Israeli citizens and their state can be defended against impoverished and almost defenceless Palestinians.

Ronald MacLean,

Berisay, Culburnie, Kiltarlity, Beauly.