An Israeli correspondent e-mails:

Reading the weekend papers, I once again read that Israel is accused by Palestinian groups of being in breach of the hudna [e.g.here -- Ed]. The concept is a bit strange to me. If the hudna was declared unilaterally and without conditions by the Palestinians, to further their own interests, how can Israel be in breach of it?

And if we make that leap of logic, how well are the Palestinians sticking to it? One need not quote the daily list of violence. It is enough to ask the US State Department. Friday's Hebrew press reported that the State Department has refused to lift its travel advisory on Israel. Clearly the US does not think that the Palestinian implementation of the hudna is adequate. Just as the Roadmap is measured by actions - so should US assessments.

Although the issue is security and safety, there is further signifance in the State Department travel advisories. As long as they are in place, US travellers to Israel are unable to get adequate travel insurance. That not only is a huge problem for Israel's tourist industry, but also severly depressses the business sector, as a local visit is critical to closing many potential deals.

So when you see Americans pressing Israel for some sort of reciprocity for Palestinian concessions, remind them that not only are the concessions far less than the Roadmap requirements, but that the US State Department is not willing to risk a short stay by its citizens. Should we take greater risks?