I refer to the letter Gaza: Malaysian condemnation unjustified.

The blockade by Israel is a reality, judging by the exodus of thousands of people into neighbouring Egypt. I doubt that this is the result of mass hysteria but is, instead, motivated by a besieged people reaching a breaking point as the suffering they experience becomes unbearable.

The writer asks a hypothetical question about how Malaysians would feel if Singaporeans were firing rockets into Malaysia.

My answer is that if Malaysia were occupying Singapore and annexing parts of its territory, I would blame the Malaysian government and support attempts by the Singaporean people to free themselves.

In fact, maybe the writer should read about the history of Singapore and how it gained independence from Malaysia without a drop of blood being spilled. Malaysia did not arrest or attempt to kill Lee Kuan Yew, like Israel did with Yasser Arafat.

The writer is wrong in claiming that Malaysian Muslims don't condemn terrorism committed by Muslims. Muslims in Malaysia are 100 percent disgusted by the events of Sept 11. Muslims in Malaysia have no love for the terrorists who blow-up innocent women and children by strapping bombs to their bodies, as terrorists did in the 2005 London bombings.

Malaysian Muslims are unbiased and can think rationally. We see no difference between the killing of civilians by terrorists and the killing of civilians by uniformed soldiers using modern war machines, such as F-16 fighter planes.

The use of collective punishment by Israel is deplorable. Israel's use of cluster bombs in Lebanon constitutes a war crime because they were dropped in civilian areas. Muslims in Malaysia do not question Israel's right to exist but believe that the rights demanded by Israel must also be applied to the Palestinian people.

Malaysian Muslims are 100 percent in support of the two-state solution and peace plan. Israel has only itself to blame if countries like Malaysia refuse to recognise it or engage it in friendly diplomatic relations.

Israel must pull back to its UN-recognised borders and dismantle all settlements. Most members of the OIC, including Malaysia, have expressed a desire for peace and, led by Saudi Arabia, have set the conditions.

The ball is now in Israel's court and Israel must decide which it prefers - annexing more land or achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the principle of ‘land for peace’.