Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamads statement at the ongoing Organisation of Islamic Conference assembly in Kuala Lumpur that attacks on all civilians is terrorism is the most sensible statement I have heard the man utter. Attacks on civilians are the most senseless orgy of violence I have witnessed in my lifetime. The world should join hands and put an end to this mindless, brutish behaviour on both sides.

I fully sympathise with and support the Palestinian cause and I think their sense of impotence against the Israeli military machine has been no doubt contributory to their violent retaliation. But killing Israeli women and children and fellow Arabs who just happened to be Israelis by citizenship cannot be the answer and any attempt to justify it is sheer nonsense. Also, sending children to their deaths by making them stone tanks is irresponsible.