Bella Caledonia

When ‘progressives’ excuse Nazi ideology: The case of Bella Caledonia

Just over a month ago, my report into hard-core antisemitism in the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) was published. Following its release, condemnation of the SPSC crossed the political divide, and was swift. Given what was uncovered, it seemed an obvious and natural response. Nobody wanted to be seen protecting hard-core Nazi ideology. After all, what had been uncovered was indefensible. It was shown that … Continue reading When ‘progressives’ excuse Nazi ideology: The case of Bella Caledonia

mandate

The Mandate: From 1919 to civil war, antisemitism and Bergen-Belsen

I have been spending time recently in the British Archives at Kew. I am working on a project (with Jonathan Hoffman) that is due to be published on Sep 4th. It has meant spending time, inside the files that recorded the British view of the events of the Mandate. Engaging with the mindset of those that wrote the documents. This ‘perspective’, and the bias behind … Continue reading The Mandate: From 1919 to civil war, antisemitism and Bergen-Belsen

The hard-core antisemitism of the Scottish PSC (SPSC)

My report on hard-core antisemitism inside the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) has just been released. It was commissioned and published by Jewish Human Rights Watch. One-hundred and sixty pages of rabid anti-Jewish hatred. Stripping away all of the pretence about sympathy for Palestinians, the report exposes frightening levels of raw and truly sickening antisemitism. A hatred that is openly prowling the streets of Scotland. … Continue reading The hard-core antisemitism of the Scottish PSC (SPSC)

Special report: A day of anti-Israel hatred at the University of Warwick

On Thursday, 4th May, I spent the day at the University of Warwick. Warwick forms part of one of my favourite areas of the UK. Close enough to visit from London in a day, and containing both Warwick castle and Shakespeare’s town, Stratford upon-Avon. As is proving to be a recurring theme, the romantic relationship I have with the country of my birth is being … Continue reading Special report: A day of anti-Israel hatred at the University of Warwick

antisemitism upside down

Stephen Sedley, FSOI and the PSC, getting antisemitism all mixed up

As I researched for an article about the demonstration and counter demonstration at SOAS on 27 April, I came across an essay on antisemitism by Stephen Sedley. Sedley is a former appeal court judge and the essay was just published in the London Review of Books. The essay dealt critically with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. The building block for the IHRA … Continue reading Stephen Sedley, FSOI and the PSC, getting antisemitism all mixed up

Ilan Pappe

An open question to Ilan Pappe: Why do you defend antisemites?

Given the event last night at UCL (7/3/2017), I have split my response into two pieces. One is a direct accusation against the university, the other (this) an open post to Ilan Pappe. I did intend to ask this question, but was not chosen during the Q&A. Ilan I have seen you speak many times. Although I disagree with almost everything you say, I acknowledge … Continue reading An open question to Ilan Pappe: Why do you defend antisemites?