Far-right thinking

Joanne Micallef (June 7) says she cannot understand why people "fail to comprehend that the issue of illegal immigration is to do only with people who enter our shores illegally. Whether they are black, white or yellow does not enter the equation."

That outlook is simplistic and, unfortunately, shared by many.

Ms Micallef and others who are like-minded should consult Malta's far-right groups. No doubt, they would be more than happy to explain:

1. Why they distinguish between immigrants who are, as Ms Micallef puts it, "black, white or yellow";

2. Why they do not shy away from being identified as "fascist" and "racist" (why else did they leap to their own defence when the media attributed some of the recent arson attacks to fascist/racist groups, without any particular far-right individuals or groups being named?);

3. Why they think "niggers" are undesirable;

4. Why they believe Asians should not be allowed to stay in Malta, though a community of Asians has lived here for generations;

5. Why they fear people arriving in rickety boats are "Muslims coming here to take over", though many arrivals are Christian, and all are far more interested in safety and security than in religious colonisation;

6. Why they think "juden" is an accusatory insult, rather than a cultural identity

The list goes on, but that should do for now.

Ms Micallef's letter is correct in one respect: Malta's far right does not yet advocate lynching black or Arab immigrants. However, at least one group's proposed policy is to shoot immigrants at sea or starve them to death by taking control of global food supplies.

This is the same group that proposes lynching journalists who report on or speak out against racism, and whose offshoot claims 600 members. Is it too unrealistic to assume that someone who sympathises with such sentiments should feel any moral quandary in setting fire to someone's home?