Daphne Anson: It's an Unfair Cop, Guv! Mr Plod shows some muscle

Eretz Israel is our unforgettable historic homeland...The Jews who will it shall achieve their State...And whatever we attempt there for our own benefit will redound mightily and beneficially to the good of all mankind. (Theodor Herzl, DerJudenstaat, 1896)

We offer peace and amity to all the neighbouring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of all. The State of Israel is ready to contribute its full share to the peaceful progress and development of the Middle East. (From Proclamation of the State of Israel, 5 Iyar 5708; 14 May 1948)

With a liberal democratic political system operating under the rule of law, a flourishing market economy producing technological innovation to the benefit of the wider world, and a population as educated and cultured as anywhere in Europe or North America, Israel is a normal Western country with a right to be treated as such in the community of nations.... For the global jihad, Israel may be the first objective. But it will not be the last. (Friends of Israel Initiative)

Friday 30 July 2010

It's an Unfair Cop, Guv! Mr Plod shows some muscle

Mr Plod is a British policeman stationed at the House of Commons. His job is presumably to direct visitors, arrest miscreants and deter terrorist attacks. Richard Millett is a British blogger and freelance journalist stalwart in his defence of Jews and Israel. Like the valiant Jonathan Hoffman of the Zionist Federation, he goes where angels fear to tread; his reports on anti-Israel meetings and demonstrations are invaluable. Tom Eisner is a British violinist who doesn't like Israel very much at all and often (although I haven't noticed him lately) goes onto the Jewish Chronicle blogs to taunt - there's no better word, really - fellow Jews who love Israel and wish that beleaguered little country long life.

The other evening, in a corridor of the Palace of Westminster, Mr Plod, Mr Millett, and Mr Eisner crossed paths. The outcome was not a happy one for parliamentary democracy.

You see, hosted by Jeremy Corbyn, a Labour MP long known for his hostility to Israel, a meeting was due to take place in a side room (I believe the correct term is committee room) of the House of Commons, addressed by three Arab members of the Knesset. Its topic was On the "Jewish Character" of the State of Israel, its meaning and significance, political discrimination, and the condition of the Arabs in Israel - just the sort of topic to appeal to Mr Millett in his capacity as reporter. On seeing it advertised, he tried to register but received no response. So he went along anyway, and was queuing patiently when somebody approached him.

It was Mr Eisner, who, obviously having the measure of Mr Millett as a champion of The Zionist Entity, asked our trusty blogger whether he'd come to disrupt the meeting. Somewhat taken aback - for disrupting meetings is not in Mr Millett's nature or remit - Mr Millett answered in the negative. Mr Eisner, who jokingly asked him for a £200 good behaviour bond, agreed that he could attend the meeting.

However, Mr Millett had been recognised by others as someone holding pro-Zionist views. And presently Mr Plod and two colleagues strode purposefully up to Mr Millett. Mr Plod took the pro-Israel blogger firmly by the upper arm and led him away, past Mr Corbyn, who reportedly averted his gaze and kept shtum. Mr Millett's details were taken and he was escorted off the premises.

So, in Westminster, the cradle of democracy, things have come to a pretty pass. Mr Plod the policeman now muscles in on people who have caused no offence whatever - no offence, that is, apart from holding views that are anathema to anti-Zionists. Needless to say, the irony of it all is not lost on Richard Millett.

Oh, and by the way, Jonathan Hoffman wasn't allowed in either. I've advised him to wear a burkha next time.

3 comments:

richard millett31 July 2010 at 11:30
At least Eisner could be reasoned with and eventually didn't have a problem with me being admitted. That is until the more senior powers-that-be stepped in and he went AWOL pretty quickly.
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SteveR31 July 2010 at 21:51
My Old Labour grandparents and parents will be turning in their graves if they know what the party they fought for has turned out like. The left in this country has turned on the Jews and I want to know why.
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Daphne Anson1 August 2010 at 01:05
Indeed, Richard. The attitude of Corbyn st al suggests a rather totalitarian mindset. Certainly not one that welcomes openness, anyway.

Steve, I think it's due to a number of factors: the perception since 1967 of the Palestinians as having replaced the Jews as underdogs; that attitude combined with the Left's need for a cause following the fall of the South African apartheid regime; the sheer perversity of the Left in hating America and the West, of which Israel is a symbol; and among some leftists a great big dollop of what has been termed by historians "rich man antisemitism" - a stereotype-driven image of Jews as rich and powerful. Of course, it's horribly hypocrital, ignoring abuses of human rights in Arab countries, etc.
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