The story of a Jewish boy called Haim

Many years ago, I had a frantic evening visit from two very old, and very close Jewish friends. They suggested there was something urgent they needed to discuss, and just a short while later, Anna and Martin were sitting opposite from me, sipping some strong exotic alcoholic concoction. I remember, just before they spoke, wondering which one of them had been diagnosed with the terminal … Continue reading The story of a Jewish boy called Haim

dean of lichfield, ten questions

Antisemitism or anti-Zionism, ten questions for the Dean of Lichfield

Last week I attended a conference on ‘Palestine’ that was promoted by the Dean of Lichfield and held at Lichfield Cathedral. My feelings on what occurred were detailed in a piece that I wrote upon my return. That article was widely shared. I received emails in response from both the Bishop of Lichfield and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The emails informed me they had forwarded … Continue reading Antisemitism or anti-Zionism, ten questions for the Dean of Lichfield

Lichfield Cathedral

Antisemitic hate festival in Lichfield Cathedral

I have just spent a weekend at Lichfield cathedral for a conference “on the Israel/Palestine Conflict and the prospect of peace”. And what a weekend it was! A naïve Dean, antisemitism, conspiracy theories, global control, blood sucking Jews, child kidnappers, Arabs in 100ad. and of course, Jesus the Palestinian. The Cathedral Lichfield Cathedral is breath-taking. A Gothic structure that dominates the local horizon, the unique … Continue reading Antisemitic hate festival in Lichfield Cathedral

goldsmiths

Institutional antisemitism at Goldsmiths, University of London

On Tuesday I spent an evening at Goldsmiths, University of London. It was my first visit. The talk itself was called ‘Palestine 101’. Like many events that are taking place on campus at the moment, it was designed to convert ‘interested folk’ into ‘dumbed down’, rabid, Israel haters. The talk was one of the most nonsensical, baseless and insane rants I have yet to hear … Continue reading Institutional antisemitism at Goldsmiths, University of London

BDS SOAS

BDS open the season at SOAS, back into the snake pit

Its 27th September 2016. Summer is over and the new academic year begins. Across the country, political activists such as those in the SOAS Palestinian society hold ‘freshmen’ sessions to attract new recruits to their cause. Everyone knows SOAS is important to BDS and Palestinian activism. When you walk into SOAS you enter the BDS UK student stronghold. But I am used to being inside … Continue reading BDS open the season at SOAS, back into the snake pit

antisemitism in the church

Hinde Street #antisemitism in the Methodist Church

I have been to your church several times this week in an effort to engage with people over the ‘you cannot pass today’ exhibition. The Church decided to use a replica of an Israeli security checkpoint to deliver a message about ‘bringing down walls’. Last night I was also at the circle discussion, that spoke about building bridges between the communities. I always try to … Continue reading Hinde Street #antisemitism in the Methodist Church

yachad

So this is Yachad – part one: astroturf and magic tricks

Yachad have been an element of my research for two years. There is discomfort in writing about them, because they are, on the surface, representing a legitimate position. Despite my opposition to their core political argument, I focus on exposing Israel’s enemies, not criticising Zionists I disagree with. As Yachad’s Director Hannah Weisfeld just showed us all, with her astonishingly hypocritical attack on ‘Im Tirtzu’s’ … Continue reading So this is Yachad – part one: astroturf and magic tricks

Ilan Pappe

Ilan Pappe destroys BDS, claims its central pillar is not true

Ilan Pappe is the head of a department of a UK University. Below is a video apparently signaling Pappe believes it is ‘important’ to push a line for the ‘historical record’, even if it is not ‘the truth’. What is scary is that his cause and the subjects he teaches are intimately related. How can the university not address this? In the video Pappe also … Continue reading Ilan Pappe destroys BDS, claims its central pillar is not true

friends

A journey beyond Zionism – part one – Haaretz.

Truth is I had placed myself on a month long self-imposed exile from all my research into the anti-Zionist camp. I reasoned I needed a holiday, a break from the venom, the hatred and the antisemitism. The theory had been that if I replace Electronic Intifada with the Israel press and Counterpunch with Jewish media in the US or UK, I would be able to … Continue reading A journey beyond Zionism – part one – Haaretz.

antisemitism at westminster

Norman Finkelstein, the University of Westminster and antisemitism

University of Westminster campus in Harrow, West London. 8th August 2016.  Norman Finklestein is discussing the ‘Holocaust Industry’. This discussion, and the book authored by Finkelstein with the same title, is based on the premise that Zionism ‘milks’ the genocide experienced by the Jewish people. I have history with this university. In May, I was at the Marylebone campus, where I had the ‘pleasure’ of … Continue reading Norman Finkelstein, the University of Westminster and antisemitism