Hinde Street

Stupidity, The Hinde Street Methodist Church and Israel

It’s the 19th September 2016. My attention was drawn this week to an exhibit in London at the Hinde Street Methodist Church. An exhibition that seeks to enlighten Londoners about ‘what it is like to cross a checkpoint everyday’.  It is called “You cannot pass today”. It is based on ‘checkpoint 300’, a crossing between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Odd really. Even internal European travel can … Continue reading Stupidity, The Hinde Street Methodist Church and Israel

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

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

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?

Nicola Sturgeon, how welcome are Jews in Scotland?

August is festival month in Edinburgh. A massive celebration, delivered through a collective of independent arts and cultural festivals. Just one of these, the ‘Edinburgh Festival Fringe’, is the largest arts festival in the world. At the ‘Fringe’ event this year, scheduled for August 17, is the ‘International Shalom Festival’. Described as a one-day celebration bringing together Jews, Arabs, Christians and other minorities, that all … Continue reading Nicola Sturgeon, how welcome are Jews in Scotland?

Islamophobia

The day I met Islamophobia

‘I reject all forms of racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia’. No sentence dealing with inequality or discrimination today is complete without the 3 absolutes. The golden triad of virtual signalling, the triple whammy of ultimate put-downs, the ‘must have’ of any politician’s speech. I know what racism is. The idea of racial superiority and inequality or discrimination based on a person’s race. Despite the frequent misuse … Continue reading The day I met Islamophobia

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)