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

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

Synagogue

An open letter to Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue

Sirs I recently wrote a blog that attracted considerable attention. As you can see in the comments section, three of those who responded to the piece were the Rabbi from your synagogue, a member of your board (and the Yachad chairman), and one of those who complained (an academic who conducted a survey for Yachad). As I now understand the situation better, I would like … Continue reading An open letter to Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue

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

PSC hate

From Hezbollah to Hamas. The PSC rally at Downing Street

After the events of last weekend, when the Hezbollah flag was raised in London, spending an evening at a rally with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) seemed positively benign. How wrong I was. 08 July 2016. Richmond Terrace, London SW1A. An area directly opposite Downing Street that is used for demonstrations. It is two years since the 2014 Israel–Hamas conflict, and today the PSC dusted … Continue reading From Hezbollah to Hamas. The PSC rally at Downing Street