Israel has to come clean

This tradition of openness is being betrayed, however, along with most other civilised norms, in the ruins of the Jenin refugee camp. Whatever the strength of the resistance when Israeli forces smashed their way in nearly three weeks ago – and the deaths of 23 soldiers argue that it was considerable – it does not explain the subsequent delays in allowing ambulances into the camp, the obstruction of aid workers and the intimidation of journalists and officials seeking to establish what happened. A terrible suspicion has arisen amid the stench of rotting corpses: that the number of civilian deaths in Jenin was out of all proportion to the scale of the fighting. But Israel is in denial. Mr Sharon's government has agreed to co-operate with a UN fact-finding team. But before anyone can finish sifting the rubble for survivors, it is being claimed there is no evidence of a massacre. The behaviour of official commentators appears to be aimed at ensuring that the facts fade away in endless dispute. Such a cover-up would be taken as normal in many countries. Israel, though, used to have a reputation for unflinching frankness. When it gives every appearance of having something to hide, there is ample cause to fear the worst.

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