Sir, - Ambassador Gabay's eulogy to the state that employs him (April 28th) was predictably devoid of any hint that the norms of international law - or indeed the laws of humanity - apply to the government of Israel. By way of contrast, here are some questions recently posed by one of the world's most respected Jewish intellectuals, George Steiner (The Observer, February 22nd):"How can a modern, secular nation claim for its. . . basis an archaic promise of sacred territoriality, a contract with a God in whom so many do not believe? Can the Shoah be used forever to underwrite the legality of repossession and the expulsion of the Arabs?. . . Is Israel worth the torture of another human being?. . . Could our true mission be that not of a nation-state, as abominable or brave. . . as any other, but that of guests (be they unwelcome) among men? To raise such a question. . . is to inquire into the very meaning of Israel, a meaning far less universal than is that of Judaism." - Yours, etc.,Raymond Deane,Dun Laoghaire,Co Dublin.