Daphne Anson: Stephen Fry On "The Hysterical Believings Of A Group Of Desert Tribes" (video)

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)

Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Stephen Fry On "The Hysterical Believings Of A Group Of Desert Tribes" (video)

Well, I never!!! This apparent antisemitism on the part of a supposed British "national treasure" escaped my purview until now. Granted, it's very brief and we don't see the full context, but it looks decidedly dodgy.

Here's Anglican-raised halachically Jewish pro-Palestinian campaigner Stephen Fry getting hot under the collar as he loftily tells Ann Widdicombe, the former British Tory Cabinet minister well-known for her Christian beliefs (she's a notable convert to Catholicism) that a certain

"group of desert tribes have stored up more misery for mankind than any other group of people in the history of the planet, and they're doing it to this day".

Although the seemingly ubiquitous Fry's a bit of a fixture on the BBC, I understand that this programme was on Channel 4.

Hat tip: a poster on BBC Watch who also links to this among other items - see the full post here

15 comments:

Juniper in the Desert17 October 2012 at 08:39
As someone who has a twisted view of reality, he really means mozlems; that is a perfect description of islam!
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Adam17 October 2012 at 09:46
I remember seeing this when it was originally broadcast a couple of years back. He is almost frothing at the mouth - his hatred is visceral. It was also interesting to see his edition of "Who do you think you are?" = a genealogy series where he visited eastern Europe on a quest to find out about his ancestors. He seemed shocked to discover that there was antisemitism in the present day, saying something along the lines of "I don't usually have much time for those who see antisemitism everywhere." He really is a nasty piece of work - very talented - but still a horrible man.
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SteveR17 October 2012 at 20:22
What a putts. As a gay and convicted thief he would be hanging from a crane with his hands cut off in Gaza, West Bank, Iran anyware but good old democratic Israel.
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Ian G17 October 2012 at 20:32
Of course his hatred of the Church and Israel is visceral, both the Tenach and the New Testament condemn certain aspects of his life-style as sinful. He probably does include Islam in his condemnation and for the same reason. He then disguises this with sweeping generalisations that will appeal to those who do not share those aspects of his life-style. He is now a left-wing victim. Sympathy boosts his ego and disagreement strengthens his sense of 'injustice'.
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Daphne Anson17 October 2012 at 22:03
On his high horse here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2005/jun/05/religion.hayfestival2005
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geoffff17 October 2012 at 23:40
There was a minor character in The Finkler Question that Jacobson pretty clearly based on Fry.
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Adam18 October 2012 at 10:08
Likewise - I can't take him seriously ever again. Much like I can't bear to watch a Mel Gibson movie (although I never took his hammy acting seriously anyway).

Emma Thompson is another one. Why do people look up to entertainers?
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Dibbz19 October 2012 at 05:43
Wow, both the author of this article and the commenters on it are truly retarded.

Watch the entire segment, not just a 20 second clip DESIGNED to take his quote out of context.

Stephen Fry isn't actually talking about jews and isn't being anti-Semitic in the slightest... He's talking about the misery brought about by the Catholic Church over the many centuries it has existed.
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