THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT AFFECTS US ALL

12.00.00am GMT Mon 15th Mar 2004

The Arab-Israeli conflict might seem a world away from Orpington and Farnborough, but the challenges it poses affect us all, sixth formers at Darrick Wood School were told.

At a school conference on Peace in the Middle East organised by the United Nations Association (UNA), the keynote speaker, writer and broadcaster Jonathan Fryer, reminded the assembled pupils and staff that three of the world's great religions -- Judaism, Christianity and Islam -- were born in the region, yet the tragic irony is that the area has often been dogged by conflict.

"Prospects for peace between Israel and the Palestinians are likely to remain remote for the foreseeable future, so long as Israel continues its illegal occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, and militant Palestinian groups carry out suicide bombings. Both sides need to understand each other's fears and aspirations."

Mr Fryer -- a former Bromley Councillor, who is one of the leading Liberal Democrats candidates in this June's European Parliamentary elections - urged Britain and its EU partners to do more to promote reconciliation and understanding in the Middle East.