If the morally courageous and highly articulate young man in the first video below did not exist, Britain's pro-Israel supporters would certainly have to invent him. He's the marvellous author and journalist Douglas Murray, speaking recently in a debate at the Cambridge Union on the motion "This House Would Rather Have A Nuclear Iran Than War".
Speaking in favour of the motion were former Middle East-based diplomat Sir Richard Dalton (now of Chatham House), journalist Michael Smith, who specialises in defence issues, and Professor Scott Lucas, a specialist in American Studies at Birmingham University.
Opposing the motion were Murray, Dr Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, and Professor Mervyn Frost, who heads the War Studies Department at King's College, London.
The Noes carried the day, with 100 votes, ten more than the Ayes mustered (there were 77 abstentions):
And here's Dr Alan Mendoza, to whom Murray refers in his speech, who also helped so ably to carry the day:
See the entire debate and read more about the speakers for each side here
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)
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)
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I think this hit the news after the debate:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2097252/Kill-Jews-annihilate-Israel-Irans-supreme-leader-lays-legal-religious-justification-attack.html
What more evidence does one need?
Thanks for posting, Daphne. I knew about the Douglas Murray speech - it's been on a lot of blogs - but I didn't know the outcome of the debate.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Samson and Rob.
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