I would like to pick up on Ivor Caplin's talk of the "foolish actions of the

students trapped in Israel" (The Argus, April 4).

Groups such as these have had more impact in preventing the abuse and humiliation of Palestinians at checkpoints, than the dozens of UN resolutions broken by Israel to date.

These volunteers provide an international presence that prevents Sharon committing more atrocities such as the Sabra and Shatila massacres of 1982.

Only an international group reporting on the situation can do this. They should be admired for trying to preserve human rights and furthering the peace process as they are undoubtedly doing. They are an inspiration to peace groups in Israel, Palestine and internationally.

They encourage people of all nations to apply pressure where they can to work for peace.

Perhaps it is foolish by New Labour's lights to look for peace - it is much easier to bomb a country into submission. I applaud these students and Sussex University Student Union for its involvement.

-Paul Williamson, Pembroke Crescent, Hove