Consolidation towards centre

SIR – Before writing any more insults about Israel could those who dislike the latest election results – and all before – note that tendentious rudeness about absence of difference between the main parties does not help and applies to most countries. In the latest ballot – a consolidation towards the centre – most of the new Likud seats came from the losses of the ultra-religious and the far right nationalists generally regarded as ex-Soviets. There is a long history of ethnic parties in Israel and they evaporate as their children integrate. The proof is that the most ethnic of parties are Arab trio who by the difference between Arab census figures and Knesset seats have always cast half their votes for mainstream parties – to their credit. By amalgamating at last they have shown continued assimilation consistent with their education and employment patterns.

When are Teegan and Rahr explaining why, when given the choice to become PA citizens, the Arabs of Umm el Fahm and Jerusalem insist on staying Israeli?

Frank Adam,

Prestwich,

Greater Manchester,

United Kingdom.