Northern Ireland’s noble lesson

Re “Extreme statesmen,” editorial, March 27

I wholeheartedly agree that the meeting between Northern Ireland’s old adversaries could usher in a new era of peacemaking and marks a departure from decades of bloodshed. If there is any lesson to be learned and replicated in the Middle East from this historic event, it is that, in the shadow of negotiations, it is possible to settle any dispute. The Israeli and Palestinian leaderships could choose to travel the road that leads to a genuine revival of the peace process and act decisively against terror and violence, and the international community could choose to end its diplomatic and economic boycott of the Palestinian people and assist them in their just struggle to restore their homeland, liberate it and exercise the right of self-determination on it.

MUNJED FARID AL QUTOB

London