I WRITE with regards to the article about Julia Simpkins visit to the Palestinian Territories, "Union campaigning to support Palestinians" Monday, November 21.

You have accepted statements from Julia Simpkins as fact. The article says Ms Simpkins travelled to the country to 'find out about the conditions the Palestinians are forced to endure'. How do you know or can verify which conditions they are 'forced to endure'? Did you consider that by rejecting two Israeli peace proposals in 2000 and 2008 that offered them 97% of what they requested, any 'conditions' Palestinians live in are to a certain extent of their own making.

Ms Simpkins then stated "People living in a refugee camp are subjected to tear gas on almost a daily basis. We were told that tear gas canisters were shot into the school garden and the children were forced to run."

Did you make any attempt to verify that tear gas is used on a daily basis? Did you contact the Israeli embassy or Israel Defence Forces? Did you attempt to ask which refugee camp they visited?

She then states "We visited a primary school, where the road goes right up to the school and the rest is surrounded by the wall, so children cannot get to into their school. But the Israeli Government has built them an underground tunnel but when it is flooded they are unable to get to school."

Did she see the tunnel flooded? Did you verify this is the case? Did you ascertain whether this school - which is unnamed - is located in Area A, B or C of the West Bank. If it is in area A or B then the school is under Palestinian Authority control and this complaint should be directed to them.

Lastly the report states that "The delegation was also subjected to checkpoint checks" and Ms Simpkins said: "Water is turned off every two weeks."

Why did you not make reference to the thousands of terrorist attacks carried out by Palestinians against Israeli civilians necessitating the need for security checks and verify that Israel has actually increased water supply to the Palestinian Territories.

Misinformed and wild accusation about Israel and the Palestinians only inflames matters both in the Middle East and between communities here in the UK. Please take more care in future.

Raphi Bloom

Co Chair

North West Friends of Israel