Opinion
Britain welcomes Israel
Simon Kay
Published: 13.05.12, 15:02
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41 Talkbacks for this article
1. Sorry Mr. Kay. Time to visit a UK Campus
(05.13.12)
And gauge the hatred yourself. Denial is the first step in being defeated. When was the last time you visited a Jewish/Israeli Event at a UK University - ANY university? How was it received? I rest my case.
2. The fallacy of reality
Arie   (05.13.12)
Recently, the ambassador from norway wrote an op-ed in the Jerusalem Post alleging Jews are overreacting to the occurences in norway and that norway is "one of Israel's strongest allies." Now this commentary. Seems the reps from eurabia are on overdrive in trying to mask the truths occuring in their countries. Norway is the 3rd most Antisemitic country in europe - after ireland and sweden - a FACT that even papers in Norwar admit! And all one has to do is listen to brit politicians in parliament and those with wide followings like livingstone, or read of the activities on campuses and boycotts by companies to see that Antisemitism in britain is as strong today as it was before and during the Shoah. No amount of obfuscation changes that
3. i$raeli$ and engli$h=pirate$ monarchie$
me   (05.13.12)
4. Objecting to Israel's occupation is not antisemetic
Tom ,   UK   (05.13.12)
I also oppose my government's policies in Northern Ireland and elsewhere, does that make me anti-British? It's Israel's actions towards the Palestinians that people object to. The overwhelming majority of people, anyway. Although I know many on this site like to lump those who object to the occupation in with those like Hamas and Iran's leaders who seek Israel's destruction. The world is shades of grey and only fools see it as black and white. One can object to how the Palestinians are treated without being antisemetic. I know this point will go over the heads of many here. I now await the countless talkbacks telling me that Israel is not occupying Palestinian land; that the UK does all sorts of bad things in the world; and that I, of course, hate Jews. If nothing else, this site is predictable.
5. There should be ZERO incidents,...
carlos ,   San Diego U.S.A.   (05.13.12)
this article shows the continuous phony statements by the brits and europeans
6. he didnt mention that UK Jew population grew 15% ten years
mira ,   london/jerusalem   (05.13.12)
7. #1 such a negative nora.. lighten up.
(05.13.12)
8. #1 #2 travel more, hell even get yourself a passport! so you
Uri ,   Travelling Jew.   (05.13.12)
venture outside of America! crazy talk I know!!
9. #5 the Americans are no better, Carlos...
(05.13.12)
10. Antisemitism in UK backed by Govt.
BUTSeriously ,   Sydney   (05.13.12)
The BBC, Guardian and other such orgs get away with their media attacks only because they get a wink-wink and a prize from M6.
11. Well said
Janet J ,   Britain   (05.13.12)
There are problems here but they are exaggerated by handful of activists whose career/world view depends on exaggeration.
12. Is it really worse now?
Andi ,   Israel   (05.13.12)
I was a student at a UK university 30 years ago , during the first Lebanon war, and before and after it. As a Jewish student we also had to campaign against anti Israel political motions, had a really hard time with Arab, Iranian and Leftist students and had our meetings disturbed by anti-Zionist demonstrations. Is it really any worse now? Since then Israel has gone from strength to strength. Its not too pleasant sometimes on campus, but its also not that serious overall.
13. To #4 You're not anti-semitic
Andy ,   Israel   (05.13.12)
You miss the point. The majority of Israelis do not support the fact that Israel controls the security aspects of the lives of a million+ Palestinians on the West Bank. either. And we're not antisemitic. The issue is how to end this situation. People in the West seem to think that Israel should just up and leave tomorrow morning and everything will be rosey. We in Israel that live within a few miles of the West Bank know that if that happens, we'll have Hamas rockets on our houses the next morning. The issue is how to end the conflict, and form a Palestinian state, without the rockets. Hamas won't even accept our right to exist, never mind promise not to fire rockets, and would you believe them anyway? You're not an antisemite, just a little naive maybe.
14. #4 Tom
Julie ,   Israel   (05.13.12)
the problem with folks like you is that you are toally, abysmally misinfromed when it coimes to Israel, Arabs, "Palestinians", Israeli Arabs. You know neither the facts nor history and are making decisions about Israel, severly handicapped by your lack of knowledge.
15. #4 and #9
carlos ,   San Diego U.S.A.   (05.13.12)
#4 you don't know anything about Israel. Do you know something about Sri Lanka or your own UK. I don't think so. #4 I agree with you, the U.S. campuses have many antisemitic events etc. mainly beacuse the university presidents allow hate speech and do not take responsibliity for their campuses. They are cowards and fools.
16. Tom#4 firstly Israel does not occupy
meghan ,   israel   (05.13.12)
palestinian lands...do google the history of the area... Secondly your country occupied Ireland for over 600 years, took an uprising for you to leave most of it. The folks in the north that were "imported" from Scottish prodestants were given land to upset the catholic Irish. Tom its quite a different situation as these so called palestinians lived in Trans-Jordan and occupied the Jewish Homeland. Jew never left Israel, they have always lived in Israel, that was called Palestine by Romans and you Brits. We now revert to our own name, we welcome students from all over the world to study here and our own go also to study abroad...thats what the world should be about and now they introduce all this political "falishtooka" into the academic area, its a darn shame.
17. To: No. 4
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (05.13.12)
Did the Irish attack Britain at any point in time? Or did Britain simply invade Ireland without reason and occupy six northern counties? On the other hand, did Jordan not invade Israel in 1967? Did not Jordan lose? Do the math, and while you're doing your sums, keep in mind that Judea and Samaria are non-sovereign. The six northern counties in Ireland have always been sovereign soil of Ireland. I don't accuse you of being anti-Semitic or anti-Israel. I do, however, accuse you of being ignorant.
18. return to roots
pm ,   india   (05.13.12)
As a bible believing christian it's really heartbreaking to see the current situation of europe which has been highjacked by muslims.we, indians, owe to britain,us,france,portugal etc for providing the christian value based enlightment such as democracy,judiciary,education,upliftment of downtrodden etc.all these qualities westerners imbibed from a jewish messiah named JESUS CHRIST.It's really sad to see forgetting the root of western sucess and being surrendered to an uncivilised religion calling for the destruction of" kaphirs" only to establish a world caliphite.
19. Britain the Anti-Semite world
Mr./Mrs.   (05.13.12)
Thought about returning to GB if only to die, but no longer think I'd like that either. I'll stick to my love for the Jews! At least in a Jew I know I have a friend and a trustworthy one at that.
20. Who are the Palestinians?
Elizabeth   (05.13.12)
According to Encyclopedia Brittanica they were a handful of barbarians who passed through Israel on their way back to their deserts and liked the look of Israel so stayed put. Oh Jews, what have you done? Why didn't you whip their Butts, put them back on their camels (if they had any) and send them back to their mounds of sand!
21. Britain welcomes Israel!!!!!
Moragh   (05.13.12)
Where the hell did that remark come from. I think maybe the writer had one too many over the weekend !
22. Dear Tom (#4)
JZ ,   Canada   (05.14.12)
Israel IS a cruel, ruthless country. You're right !!! But I want to ask you a question, just before you get too righteous and pompous: When was the last time you criticized Syria? When was the last time you criticized China (the "Tibet" issue, remember?), when did you protest what's going on in Sudan (quickly, Google it) or the horrific crimes against humanity going on and on and on all around the world? You are nothing but an ignorant ass, following the loudest and most obnoxious herd of mindless hateful anti-Semites, caring NOTHING about human rights or the human condition !!!
23. #21 et al. Britain helped create Israel..
David Fox   (05.14.12)
what is wrong with you people? The British are the only nation besides the US even half-way on Israel's side in the world.. Really. You people need to go outside more. Realise that - or take some valium. Anything that allows you to get a little perspective. Israel can't afford to be blowing off friendly nations. Oh, and stop looking at the world through a WWII lens. It makes you look foolish.
24. If this was a negative story on Britain there would be 100+
Ori   (05.14.12)
talkbacks and a thousand FB shares.. But as this is a positive story - I guess some people just cant handle the truth, or a different perspective to what they want to hear.
25. #17 Britain invaded Ireland to protect from invasions to the
Sarah Biser ,   tel aviv   (05.14.12)
west of them, to this day they just havent left yet because the current population of northern ireland wish for them to remain there. (well the majority do)
26. Britain invented Muslim Palestinians.
BUTSeriously ,   Sydney   (05.14.12)
They did this with 20/20 vision to screw Israel & Jews. They also corrupted the Balfour. All Brits become liable here for their silence and support of such crimes.
27. #13 andy - excellent post, well put
solomon ,   bklyn   (05.14.12)
Except I think #4 tom is very naive, not “just a little”.
28. Really - what tough stand has the government taken !!!
Ron ,   Melbourne, Australia   (05.14.12)
29. Thank You
Serge ,   Montreal, Canada   (05.14.12)
The British Council in Israel is clearly seeking to strengthen ties between the two countries, and there are many efforts made in this direction. This should be applauded, as should Dr. Kay's efforts in this regard. And he is right. The fact is that those in Britain who hate Jews, or hate the idea that Jews constitute a people, or hate to concede that the Jewish people holds the same international rights as other peoples, is dwarved by ordinary Brits, of all ethnicities, who have warm feelings towards Jews and Israel.
30. #4 you must be surprised
Mike ,   London, UK   (05.14.12)
not the overwhelming accusations of anti-semitism you were expecting. This is because you didnt come across as such - Jews tend to accuse those of anti-semitism when they have been anti semitic. You talk about shades of grey and yet it is you who are seeing things in black and white. Palestinian land? According to who, the BBC? Read your history before you make your judgements.
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