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 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

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

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

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.

HAMAS

Facebook. A pipeline for funding Hamas terrorism?

Arabs in Gaza are swarming social media platforms and sending private messages to pro-Palestinian activists looking for donations. Is it just one massive scam? Or are Hamas utilising social media platforms, not just to spread propaganda, but as a pipeline to raise funds for their terrorist activities? Hamas are one of the most brutal terrorist organisations on earth. Some of their attacks, such as the … Continue reading Facebook. A pipeline for funding Hamas terrorism?

Fighting BDS (Boycott Divestment Sanctions)

For much of the last 2 years I have spent my time within the BDS camps. I go to their events, I network with their delegates, talk to their speakers and socialise with them on Facebook. I’ve sat next to some of the leading lights of BDS and discussed strategy 1:1. When I am there, they think I am one of them, a BDS activist. … Continue reading Fighting BDS (Boycott Divestment Sanctions)

antisemitism at the NUT

Antisemitism and terrorism supported by the NUT

The first story to tell is that I had trouble getting in to an event and was eventually evicted. As someone who does nothing but *REPORT* on events, I find this truly disturbing. It is something that needs to be addressed urgently by both the PSC and the National Union of Teachers (NUT). I was a Jew who was simply thrown of the NUT HQ. … Continue reading Antisemitism and terrorism supported by the NUT

Two states, Israel, several rabbit holes and one straw man

The recent post by David Hirsh on Israel and the Two State solution and antisemitism played an unhealthy and unhelpful trick. Creating a straw man argument, an irredeemably flawed logic, through which all political opponents were smeared. The article begins with a headline that holds some merit. “Opposing settlements is constructive criticism, not anti-Semitism”.  An attack on a specific policy, is not in itself antisemitism. … Continue reading Two states, Israel, several rabbit holes and one straw man