AN open letter to my Palestinian neighbour. I do not share your grief at this very sad and uncertain time for the Palestinian people.

For you, Yasser Arafat was a hero, a great leader and the architect of a Palestinian state in the making. I understand this in the same way I hope you understand my own reasons for not sharing these sentiments.

However, my letter to you is not about our respective reasons for painting Arafat as hero or villain. I write in the hope that we can at least agree that, for whatever reason, an opportunity may now present itself which will enable both your people and mine to climb out of this dark hole of despair in which we both find ourselves.

I believe in your right to a state of your own within the boundaries of what was historically known as Palestine because I wish to live in peace in my own part of Palestine known as Israel and to ensure we retain our democratic values.

I am convinced that an independent Palestinian state would serve the true interests of Israel.

This land of Palestine is both yours and mine. We can co-exist peacefully, your Arab Palestine side by side with my Israel.

Alternatively, we can go on killing each other. The choice is ours. I would much prefer to co-exist with you instead of conducting a futile and endless war for generations to come.

Your Israeli neighbour.

David Lyon,

Kingfisher Close,

Huntington, York.

Updated: 09:39 Monday, November 15, 2004