Sir — Mrs Harper, the Oxford Deputy of the board of British Jews, in her letter (Difficult situation, September 5) decries the visit of Oxford teenagers to a Palestinian refugee camp and its coverage in The Oxford Times.
She criticises the report as "biased, simplistic and emotive".
Unfortunately, it is her letter which is biased (showing no appreciation of Palestinians' legitimate grievances), simplistic (calling Palestine rocket attacks "unprovoked") and emotive (saying Oxford's efforts in Muslim/Israeli relations have been "undermined at a stroke".
Yes, the situation in Palestine/Israel is difficult. But some historical aspects of it are clear enough, and should be taught to teenagers.
Mrs Harper claims the Oxford teenagers were manipulated. Teaching teenagers harsh historical facts and exposing them to the bleak realities of a refugee camp is not manipulation. It is education.
Joe Boyle, Oxford
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