Mr. Sharon should indeed be in prison for what he did in Lebanon, and the way he deceived an entire state. Having fundmental disagreement with Israeli policies should not cause this wave of hatred towards the criticizer. Aren't we a democratice state open to all views? or is this true only for Israeli jewes?

As always, any criticism of Israel is deemed as anti-semitic or inflaming "prejudice," the accusation now also being used by the Israeli Ambassador Zvi Heifetz as regards the London mayor. If prejudice does exist, then the only one to be held largely responsible for that is Israel itself. There is nothing in Mayor Livingstone's comments that has not already been verbalized repeatedly on B'tselem's own website over the course of many years documenting continuous crimes and inhumane acts against the entire Palestinian people that reveals a policy of ethnic cleansing and racism, which is also supported by the Israel Committee Against Home Demolitions and other human rights organizations. However, the problem is that the Mayor's voice reaches far wider audiences and echoes over greater distances than that of Israel's own human rights groups which the majority of Israelis choose to ignore. It seems ironic that a country that has practiced systematic brutality and discrimination against the Palestinians (and its own Arab citizens) would have anyone accusing others of prejudice and hatred. While Israel may not be in the process of systematically annihilating the Palestinians as what was done by the Nazis during World War II (as pointed out by Mayor Livingstone), the fact remains that the demonization and dehumanization of Jews during the 1930's is exactly what paved the way to genocide. Should the systematic abuse, humiliation, indiscriminate killing, wanton destruction of homes and property, ethnic cleansing, denial of medical care, and racial targeting of Palestinians who are also subjected to apartheid conditions, a dual system of law, and stripped of even their most basic human rights, be considered any better? The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide as adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 9, 1948 says otherwise. Full-scale genocide does not happen overnight. I for one say bravo to Major Livingstone for having the courage to speak up knowing he would be subjected to such ridicule, and whose stand is supported by many other Jews, including myself. It is not time to recall Israel's Ambassador because of the Mayor's remarks, as your opinion suggests, but rather time for Israel to look at its own inhumanity and indifference to others who it thinks are of a lesser God, and to cease its representation of all Jews throughout the world Marlene Newesri New York City

and the proof of the failure of Israel's educational system is that it produced many people like Danny, who confuse a country that has made mistakes with a country that has no right to exist. That the people that produced the Talmud has become so un-nuanced is even more depressing than the mayor's comments.

Thanks for this contribution. One aspect you should be aware of is that while London city hall actively fights and educates against racism it takes no such action against anti-Semitism which it considers of secondary importance.

Ken fails to appreciate Israel and the necessity for its protection amidst a hostile environment. Mr Livingstone showed very one sided behavior, yet his role is one as overall representative of the majority of Londoners, a populus that now counts many Israelis. Kewn called a Sheik a welcome in London who openly validated suicide missions against civilians and called Israeli women not like normal women. He labelled Israel's wrongs, but finds it hard to mention many other areas on the global landscape where human rights are violated. Why calling Sharon a war criminal when weeks begore none of the Palestinian cabinett members would use such degrading terms in the current climate. Why single him out anyway, it i not like many of the Mideast leaders are clean. Israel hardly compares with the many real oppressive countries like Korea, China, or Zimbabwe. It is democratic, has a working justice system, and has human rights intelligence (Marlene Nerswi Betselem is an Israeli body with many Israelis working for it - how many Arab nations tolerate such bodies). Peaceful talks in between Israelis and Palestianians take the carpet away from under the feet of the anti Jewish left that always liked blaming Israel and Jews for the current world hegemony. Maybe that's why they like to make sure things stay like they like to know them. Simple. Ken further made his arguments in place of apologizing. To say anti Jewish attacks are not so bad, because there are more attacks on Muslims and Asians is stupifying. Regarding the concentrationcamp comments we learned that this was not so bad, because the Daily Mail Newspaper had itself made attacks against immigrants. Equal comments to any other ethnic group, Ken would almost certainly be subject to ramping demonstrations Banners of the Socialists read frequenty End the Occupation (Iraq) Freedom to Palestine, bringing the 2 issues together (what about Freedom for Kurdistan for example, human rights for Syriah...again we are talking the Jewish state). Facit: Any politican that fails to fully endorse Israel and appreciates its security concerns and right of existence when critizing it and upraising the Palestinian case is representing the issues deliberately biased. Being a major who is almost like a judge representing all citizenes it is not Mr Livingstone's job to choose one group over the other. I advise him to read Amos Oz lates title: Divorce us to gain a more balanced view. Lastly should a major of London not deal with issues of London after all?

prior to judge anything you need to look carefully by yourself the real situation.Dont rely on biased TV shows and news BBC has apologized for. A french former minister went further criticizing Israel not for wrongdoing but for existing.he added all the wars and terrorism should have disappeared from around the world wether Arabs wiped jews to the sea. Start with State of Israel hatred,you end with Mein Kampf.

Sever Plocker is right that the comments of Livingstone are horrble. He is wrong that Jewish Londoners are standing by doing nothing. He is right that not enough Jewish Londoners are doing something. I demonstrated against the Livingstone-sponsored visit of Qaradawi, who hates Jews and gays and women and applauds suicide bombers. I have written to The Guardian and to Livingstone after the latest article (which Sever comments on) as follows: "Ken Livingstone is not telling the whole story about his views on Israel. It is not just its policies he objects to, it is its existence. When I met him in Finchley when he was campaigning on the Saturday before the last mayoral election, he told me that Israel should never have been created. To seek to deny the Jews their homeland, which was granted by a vote of the UN in the wake of the Holocaust, is a gross violation of our human rights. Many including myself would deem it to be an anti-semitic act. "

I won't even try to go any further because Marlene's words are a work of art. It is time for us Jews not living in Israel to speak up and not allow a racist entity ruin the name for all Jewish people.

Mr. Ken Livingstone I suggest to you to live in a Israel´s city for 3 month, and then if you or someone of you family will be hurt or die in a atempt of the Palestinians (terrorists) then you can express your opinion about the people or the government of Israel.

Your words are so powerful Marcos. You managed to used the words Palestinian and Terrorist synonomously and throw in an ignorant blast about when someone should be allowed to express their opinion. Now that you've come this far Marcos, why don't you try to ask yourself "why" terrorism exists in Israel and "how" you expect Palestinians to react to occupation. "Then, you can express your opinion".

Alex, Instead of asking "why" terrorism exists in Israel how about asking why you and people like you feel compelled to excuse acts of blatant murder against innocent men, women and children. The reaction to "occupation" for the Palestinians is not to incinerate and blast to bits Israeli citizens just going about their daily lives but to negotiate a fair settlement to the conflict like they promised to do during Oslo. Unfortunately, you are so blinded by your uneducated hatred of Israel that you fail to realize that the occupation is just an excuse for the Islamo-facists to continue their extermination of all Jews in the Middle East. If you think I am wrong, then ask yourself what was the purpose for assassinating five Jews in Tel Aviv last week by a homicide bomber when negotiation for a peaceful settlement seems so close.

First of all, I'm Jewish, so don't give me the"why do they attack our innocents?" line Mike. Whether the IDF shoots a kid or whether a kid dies on a bus, it's the same thing.....a kid is dead. Stop trying to impose the imaginary line you've come to believe in. When an innocent dies in the course of this conflict, neither side can use the method of that murder to its advantage, for it can't be justified. The only thing that can be pinpointed is that we are occupying and degrading a population, regardless of our intentions and we cannot expect them to be patient with our goals. The Yishi are a burden to Israel, their hatred is past the point of reason and us Jews who can still use logic need to isolate those who can't. Sorry if you're still acting like a victim Mike.

Ken Livingstone is an eccentric British politician who probably does hate Jews and all things Jewish as has many on the extreme left.He's not important enough to warrant withdrawing our Ambassador. However, any event or occassion he attends should be boycotted and clearly stated why his company is unnacceptable. Leon Rosen

It is useless to explain to him why – hi is a victim of the European way of thinking. That means the ignorance, hate and propaganda are the mainstream in the history of Europe all the way.

Alex, you talk about logic, so lets start with some logic. You say there is no difference between the IDF shooting a child and a suicide bomber blowing a child up on a bus. Aside from the obvious differences, there is one very important difference, the intention of the moral agent. You are right a dead child is a dead child and there is no difference in the end result. However, do you not think that intentions ought to have some place in our moral thinking? Of course the results of our actions are significant and should have a place in deciding whether an action is moral or not but surely the intentions of an action alos have their place? Are you seriously suggesting that there should be no ethical distinction between a motorist who deliberately runs down a pedestrian and another who simply fails to break in time?

No victim here Alex, just a realist who understands what the Islamo-facists have in store for me and you should we not confront their murderous ways. Also, you moral equivalence of the IDF and those murderous Islamo-facists who deliberately target innocent men, women and child is both repugnant and insulting. But let’s get back to your uneducated view of the conflict. Your quote..."Whether the IDF shoots a kid or whether a kid dies on a bus, it's the same thing.....a kid is dead". Yes Alex, there is no difference Dead is dead whether by accident or on purpose. But Alex, if you are such a moral person, why are you so quick to condemn Israel for killing and willing to be an apologist for the murder of Jewish children? If you had one ounce of credibility, you would condemn both. But you don't, you conveniently excuse it away as a result of the "occupation". Those five innocent people who were blown to bits last week in Tel Aviv were not killed because of any occupation, they were killed because they were Jews. THERE IS NEVER AN EXCUSE TO MURDER INNOCENT PEOPLE! NEVER!

Livingstone is a strong,bold thinker. He is right to speak up against the attrocities of the state of Israel. We all hear plenty of the attrocities of Palestinians. But one mans freedom fighter is another mans suicide bomber. The Palestinains FEEL occupied and REPRESSED. This is their perspective- The funding of Israel by outside countries makes them feel powerless. They have no other way to fight for what THEY believe is their land and their homes- Understanding is the only way to end this conflict. BOTHE perspectives- and the jews have got to stop slandering people with anti-semitic heckling- not only is it ugly, but its manipulative.

what I find most amusing about Mayor Livingsone's rant is the accusation of ethnic cleansing. Despite 55+ years of Israel's existence, there remain millions of Arabs in Israel proper and the territories. How many Jews are there is Saudi Arabia, in Egypt, Iraq or Morocco, to name a few Arab states. Where once there were 100s of thousands, there are now virtually none. And none are even allowed to visit the Saudi kingdom.

Ben thinks describing the imperfect Jewish state as as 'a racist entitity' will ''save his soul' Got news for you: That shtick didnt work back then and it certainly doesnt work now. History shows that the Jews only decieved themselves when they thought they could be anything but Jews.

first of all, the israeli occupation forces DO INTENTIONALLY TARGET CHILDREN. just watch the video of that 13 year old girl getting murdered. before she was intentionally murdered one soldier says she is 10 years old. then, she is murdered. then, the officer says no matter if a 3 year old is here, kill anything that moves. so yes, your army intentionally kills children just like suicide bombers. one mans army is another mans terrorist. one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter. there complete moral equivalence between your murdering occupation forces and their suicide bombers. both sides have lost complete touch with reality. that being said, michael referenced the tel aviv bombing from last month. i would tell you that while on the face of it you call it 'terrorism', all of those who died were either active duty or reserve soldiers. so really that is a legal target by the laws of war. no innocents died, they were soldiers.

I've lived in London all my life, its a traditionally racist and anti-semitic place as any in England. Livingstone has single handedly managed to offend the entire Jewish community of London (his concentration camp remarks to a Jewish reporter) without any provocation whatsoever and refused to apologise. He then went on with his rant against Israel as mentioned above. Sever Plocker hits the nail succinctly and perfectly on the head - couldn't have said it better myself. And all this during a time when anti-semitic - physical and verbal - attacks have risen by 42% in one year in this country. Some of my best friends are Jewish....? ................Now where have I heard that before?

He is an antisemite. As long as Israel exists as the jewish state, there is no point for the realistic genocidal antisemites to go out for the Jews in their own countries - our people will simply flee to Israel. And then, you just hurt yourself, without hurting the Jews really. So for the sophisticated antisemite, destruction of Israel must take first priority. Everything else can wait. After there is no country to flee, Jews in the diaspora can be taken care of. For Hitler, the fact that Roosevelt blocked the immigration to the US and Churchill that to Palestine was the green light - it was quintessential for his embarking on the elimination of Jews in continental Europe.

Edward, Your logic and reasoning is pathetic and shows a true double standard when comparing the actions of Jews to the murderous Islamo-facists. Your disgusting inference is that the actions of two individual IDF soldiers is policy of the entire State of Israel and I will not let the likes of you and Livingstone get away with it. You can twist the truth all you want but the reality is that unlike Israel, the policy and directive of the Islamo-facists is to murder indiscriminately. They are not freedom fighters, they are pure murderers plain and simple whose stated goal is to ethnically cleanse the Middle East of all Jews. Again, I will ask if they are freedom fighters as you say, they why blow to bits five Jews last week? The situation is calming down, the Palestinians and Israelis are talking and security aggreements and territorial concessions are being planned. The reason that they murdered five Jews last week to provoke a response from Israel and scuttle any chance at peace. THEY DO NOT WANT PEACE! THEY WANT TO MURDER JEWS! By the way, Edward, the truely pathetic thing about you is that even Abu Mazan came out strongly and said it was terrorism. Your post just goes to prove that your repugnant attempt to rationalize the murder of Jews in Tel Aviv last week just exposes your xenophobic and racist nature.

First of all, it doesn't matter whether he is right or wrong, a public figure can not publish such an opinion, it is totally inappropriate ! Second, he is right ??????? Its one thing to disagree with Israel's politics, but to say that Israel is the cause of terror and etc. ??? I can not believe that this man is the mayor of such a progressive and central city as London ! And what is more shocking is besides this article no action was taken against him ! London jewish community, WAKE UP !!!

You don't really answer my question about moral equivalence. You use an example of one Israeli soldier deliberately tageting a child (an example of murder) and then leap to the ridiculous(and logically invalid) conclusion that all Israeli soldiers deliberately target children. Surely you'd agree that one example of an accountant committing deliberate tax evasion doesn't mean that all accountants are fraudsters, simply because they share the same job? I agree that an Israeli soldier who deliberately targets civillians (be they men women or children) is morally equivalent to a Palestinian suicide bomber who targets civillians. But my original question was whether intentions should play a role in our moral thinking? Whether there should be an ethical distinction between a person who deliberately kills innocent people and one who does so unintentionally? Could you please answer this question? Incidentally I draw the parallel between the individual Israeli soldier you refer to who is currently on trial and Palestinian suicide bombers who are lauded as heroes.

Okay Steve, you made a good point that the motives of the murderer are an appropriate topic when discussing this conflict. However, you go on to imply that the incidents of intent within the IDF are so few and far between and handled with such dignity that we continue to maintain a higher moral ground. I beg your pardon. Who was put on trial for the murders of Rachel Corrie and James Miller, non-violent foriegners? Have you any idea how many Pal children and teens have been killed in proportion to our people? What, with your almighty logic and superior morals, would you say to the families of these young children and the families of the children who narrowly escape death daily in Gaza? Wait, don't attack us, we'll leave eventually, someday you'll have your land back? And of the IDF's response to murders caught on tape...OF COURSE THEY PROSECUTE! They have world public opinion to worry about, funding from the US, trade with Europe, Israel stands to lose too much in the face of something like this. What, I ask, does Hamas have to lose? What organization within Palestine stands to lose face or funding by the lack of proper punishment for a murderer? The IDF celebrates their murderers just as Hamas does behind closed doors ut publically condemns them.

It is between those who are able to love, and those who can only hate. Israel, you have done evil. I condemn it. Palestine, you have done evil. I condemn it. The rest of the world needs you both. Open your eyes to your own evils, for I assure you they are there and feeding off your hatred. You can't win until you are yourself clean of filth. Both of you. May God bless you both and shower his love upon you, that you may thus find the courage to bring forth the goodness and beauty buried inside. One person at a time. It adds up.

In my opinion, Mr. Ariel Sharon is, thus far, the BEST Prime Minister Israel has ever had the privilege to have! It is totally and utterly outrageous that Londoners would elect such a vile person to have as mayor. I am appalled beyond my wits! The people of Israel ARE Ariel Sharon, as he is the people of Israel! We mustn't stand idly by and watch that sly Livingstone slur our dear Prime Minister. I totally stand behind the reporter's opinion. We MUST immediately remove our representation from London and demand an explicit apology from a JEW and ISRAELI hater! Come on! These sorts of things should be a thing of the past! I'm sick of it!

I googled Marlenebecause something about her letter smelled fishy.Sure enough, a google searched revealed that she is a Palestinian activist whose job is to flood the media with the same drivel. She is a propagandiste and by definition a big liar.It is her job. Marlene and friends,get off this board,it is for readers to share opinions not formulaic antizionist crap. Who cares if you are Jewish or not, it does not make anything you say any truer.

I just get a kick out of your reaction and your words, it is the essence of ignorance. Isn't it so much easier to debate against people who agree with you? I know, it is tough to defend the racist state of israel when there are people documenting and speaking the truth. The funniest thing about you is that you just want to be left alone. Israel is like the Michael Jackson of countries proclaiming "democracy", "justice", and "freedom" publicly while privately molesting and violating every moral and ethical decree.