This issue of the newsletter was put together under the shadow of the latest Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and to the echoes of Israeli government spokesmen claiming that there were no issues between Israel and Lebanon before the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbullah.

For those wanting a more accurate historical analysis, two articles in earlier issues of the newsletter might provide a start. In our response to 9/11, in issue 14 (Lent 2002) Anne Alexander wrote on the historical background to Bush's "war on terrorism", putting it in the context of western imperialism and resistance to western imperialism in the Middle East and Central Asia. In issue 17, Neil Rogall wrote about teaching the Israel/Palestine conflict to adult students. Both articles carry a bibliography.

We are hoping to publish further articles on the subject. If you would like to contribute, please contact the editor at editor@londonsocialisthistorians.org.

Belated responses to our previous two articles are also welcome.