brunel

From Manchester to Brunel, polishing the propaganda machine

Brunel 2 March Last night, 2nd March 2017,  I was in Brunel for yet another event during ‘Apartheid Week’. There is a difference between an argument shaped to reflect your perspective and delivering raw propaganda. Opposition to ‘Apartheid week’ is not about a difference of opinion. The endless distortion provided by speakers is supported by pillars of outright deceit. Those standing in front of the … Continue reading From Manchester to Brunel, polishing the propaganda machine

Why is there no State of Palestine?

100 years since Balfour, , 70 years since partition. Why is there no State of Palestine? There is no State of Palestine because after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, when the League of Nations used the Mandate system to facilitate the creation of Nation States, the Arabs living in the British Mandate of Palestine didn’t want one. There is no State of Palestine because … Continue reading Why is there no State of Palestine?

325 miles to aleppo

325 miles to Aleppo, Syria. Hard lessons for Israel

It is difficult not to be moved by events in Syria. Images from Aleppo, Syria are heart-breaking. It is also fair to say, most of us in the west, despite vocally shouting that ‘something needs to be done’, haven’t got much idea about exactly what. Syria is a tale of 1000 trenches with 2000 armies. During the ‘Arab spring’ in 2011, I remember being engaged … Continue reading 325 miles to Aleppo, Syria. Hard lessons for Israel

ben white psc

A three day nightmare, living within an industry of hate

50 years since the 1967 war. 100 Years since Balfour. 70 years since partition. A launch of another anti-Israel campaign. And breathe. This week I have been busy, Friends of Al-Aqsa, suspect academia and Ben White. It is going to be a long year. What was notable about the 3 events, was that they came from different spheres of the anti-Israel movement. The first from … Continue reading A three day nightmare, living within an industry of hate

hating-zionists

The science of hating Zionists, why most anti-Zionism is antisemitic

Some pieces are easy to write. I go to an event and hear people suggest that the Zionists were responsible for the holocaust, or witness mention of Jewish power. If it is a speech by Max Blumenthal or Tom Suarez, I will hear tales of Jewish conspiracy. I return home, analyse the recordings, research, and write. It is an easy process to follow. The more … Continue reading The science of hating Zionists, why most anti-Zionism is antisemitic

balfour no apologies

Apologise for the Balfour Declaration? You are having a laugh

Suddenly everyone wants to talk about a letter written 99 years ago. As Israelis and Zionists worldwide begin the countdown to the 100-year anniversary celebration of the Balfour Declaration, several campaigns have been launched that seek to persuade the British Government to ‘apologise’. The Balfour Declaration was a letter, written by the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour to Walter Rothschild. It is recognised … Continue reading Apologise for the Balfour Declaration? You are having a laugh

goldsmiths antisemitism

Dropping the antisemitic rugby ball at Goldsmiths University

It was a few days ago whilst conducting a regular sweep of recent campus activity, that I noticed Goldsmiths RFC (Rugby club), have become deployed as a political weapon of the anti-Israel movement. As announced by the Palestinian Society: “We’ve teamed up with Goldsmiths RFC to put our logo and the Palestine flag on their new shirts!” I had been to Goldsmiths only a few … Continue reading Dropping the antisemitic rugby ball at Goldsmiths University

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

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

Yachad UK

So this is Yachad (UK) – part two: a borrowed ideology

For those who missed the first part of this research into Yachad UK, you can catch up with it here. In the second part of the series, I will look at the core politics and activities of Yachad, and analyse the reason for the frustration and hostility the group generates amongst mainstream British Zionists. In many ways attacking Yachad is exactly what Yachad want you … Continue reading So this is Yachad (UK) – part two: a borrowed ideology