1 FEBRUARY 1975, Page 5

Sir: Mr Ellis proposes that we should "ask Israel to

re-join the British Commonwealth" (January 18). Apart from the fact that Israel was never a member of the Commonwealth, and that the Commonwealth no longer exists, Mr Ellis should be aware that the US has already pre-empted us from taking such a decision. Israel, after all, is the fifty-first American state. (Proposed American aid to Israel for 1975-6 is £1,080 million.)

Roger Hardy 8 Ottaway Court, Rendlesham Road, London E5