John Austin's description of Mahmoud Sarsak as a "young Palestinian footballer" (Letters, 14 June) is insulting to footballers. Mr Sarsak was arrested on the basis of information pointing to his involvement in military activities of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Rafah. This included the planting of explosive devices, recruiting and training terrorist cells, and maintaining contacts with PIJ's militant leaders. PIJ has continuously fired rockets at Israelis and has claimed responsibility for several terrorist attacks. Sarak's defining characteristic is his active support of terrorism, and not the football he may play in his spare time.
Amir Ofek
Press attaché, embassy of Israel
• You report (18 June) that to satisfy the UN "Iran would have to provide cast-iron guarantees of transparency, accepting intrusive inspections". Since Israel, with its nuclear arsenal, refuses such conditions, why shouldn't Iran?
Gerry Abbott
Manchester