I am aware that it is - quite rightly - a criminal offence to deny the Jewish Holocaust of the 1940s. I cannot think of anyone who would do so who isn't mentally ill in some way or another.
Is it now a criminal offence to criticise the actions of the Israeli Parliament? Is anyone who criticises the actions of the Israeli government automatically an anti Semite?
If anyone criticises the actions of Hamas, are they automatically branded anti-Moslem?
Do we now have to take into consideration the religion of a nation and modify our opinions of their actions accordingly?
Do we still have the protected right to free speech in this country regardless of race or creed that has been so proudly guarded by our esteemed leaders since WW2?
I really do not know any more.
A fine line at the start of a slippery slope.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what you mean by that. Not enough words used to make yourself clear.
DeleteAn outrageous slur upon naturally taciturn Yorkshire people.
DeleteI'm sure you know all the answers to all the questions you asked here.
ReplyDeleteI really don't, Yael, but these answers can only come from people here in Britain because the questions stem from specially British concerns to do with political struggles for popularity during our time of political uncertainty.
DeleteI hope you know that I love Israeli people - I have known many very well - but this issue has been hi-jacked for reasons to do with internal politics which may not have reached your news networks. You have much more important things to consider.
These questions are to do with free speech here in the UK, free from global political influences out of our control. Humanity and respect for it is all most of us care for.
DeleteYou summarized the human position in your last line to Yael. There is too much political correctness, hitched to complete disregard for common sense and common decency, and that's just speaking of this country. I am unaware of new issues in Britain, possibly a good thing.
ReplyDeletePolitical correctness used to silence free speech is a very powerful tool in any fascist armoury. I say 'fascist' not as an accusation toward anyone, it is just the nature of political control over society. Hate speech is and always has been totally unacceptable.
DeleteI follow the news on Sky News every day and know what you're talking about, I'm overly sensitive to everything about Israel, that's what makes years of criticism that is not always right, I guess you're absolutely right in this case.
ReplyDeleteI think most people understand why Israelis are extremely sensitive to any form of criticism, and many people here are very sympathetic towards you. The questions I ask above are genuine ones, because I genuinely do not understand if it is acceptable to question the Israeli government about anything without being branded as an anti-Semite here anymore. There are definitely many real anti-Semites around Europe who are becoming more confident as Europe becomes politically weaker, and this means that it is now almost acceptable to brand all Moslems as potential murderers who belong to a death-cult. I find this very worrying indeed.
DeleteIt is very complicated. You can criticise the Israeli Government. We do have freedom of speech but we have rabbis in London who stir up trouble and are a thorn in the side of the Labour Party. Corbyn has upset them and they will not let go.
ReplyDeleteI think Peter Willsman is a complete idiot but I have not heard any evidence that he is anti-Semitic. He knew he was talking to an Israeli journalist for a start - what did he expect? He even said, "This is off the record..."
DeleteHe mentioned the London rabbis too. All I can think of is that it is healthier to say these sort of things in the open rather than amongst friends behind closed doors. Conspiracy theories flourish in the dark.
In a rather puerile 'tit for tat' move, the Labour people are now accusing the Tories of being anti-islamic. Very lower IVth form tactics.
ReplyDeleteThis is what politics has come to in this country.
DeletePerhaps *wades into uncertain waters* criticism can be waged against people's actions rather than their ideologies.
ReplyDeleteI've thought for a long time that the term 'political correctness' is really about good manners, being polite to folks no matter what their persuasion. The term had been turned into an insult to anyone who will consider all points of view. I think it's a real shame. Why are we all so polarised and tribalised?