Useful Idiots Fighting for Whom?

A prominent Aussie Israel-basher's credo

"Clamouring critics of multiculturalism are motivated by ignorance, bigotry, racism, xenophobia, fear and hatred of Muslim Australians.

They fear their beloved mythical Anglo-Saxon monocultural masterclass is threatened. The Nazis had similar values....

According to the racist opponents of multiculturalism, the Muslim agenda is that Australia must be a Muslim nation.

If you believe this, I can also sell you the Sydney Harbour Bridge....

Ironically, we may be better off as a Muslim nation. Christianity has never been less popular and Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. It’s a religion of peace, love, family values and respect, and the only faith to give women equality in its holy book." 

So declared inveterate Israel-bashing ABC (Australia's answer to the BBC) journalist Peter Goers a few years ago.


What a comedian, eh?

Strange sort of mindset.

But one we are seeing all too frequently among the "anti-Zionist" crowd.

See what I mean?  (The Israel-basher quoted in the previous image happily poses with a book.)

More comedians, this time in France last month (note the keffiyehs):

Here's a look at how Europe's "cultural enrichers" respect women in France, with the "public space" closed to them in a shopping precinct in a district of Lyons, and how both Muslim-born and non-Muslim women are fighting back:

Here's a look at Merkeland, where youths from Muslim hellholes are demonstrating how much they respect women in authority (by abusing and threatening them):

Here's another look at "cultural enrichment" in the same country:

As British historian Niall Ferguson (husband of the articulate and courageous Ayaan Hirsi Ali) observed recently:

'On the migration issue the European leadership got it disastrously wrong. On the question of radical Islam the European leadership has fundamentally got it wrong. One has to recognise that the European elite's performance over the last decade entirely justified the revolt of provincial England that was what we saw in Brexit.

If those of us who were part of the elite spent more time in pubs in provincial England and provincial Wales we would have heard what I just said.

This is not about GDP, it is principally about the complete loss of control of the EU's external border and what that implies for our country's future.

I have had a kind of awakening. Brexit woke me up and reminded me I needed to pay much more attention to what the non-elite majority of voters were thinking.'

Under its wet wet wet liberal CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, the ADL seems bent on turning that organisation into a one-stop shop for the promotion of every leftist bandwagon that rolls by, and demonising as bigots anyone outspokenly critical of Islam.

As Jonathan Bronitsky has written, at the end of a brilliant essay here :

'First, I hope this essay persuades the ADL, which is heavily invested in antibullying (e.g., “No Place For Hate” campaign), to consider that it itself has become a bully to conservatives who remain in its ranks. Shutting out right-leaning individuals through crowd intimidation and derision weakens coalitions, which are vital in advocacy work. This behavior also diminishes the organization’s values, which will turn stale and trite when left unchallenged.

Secondly, I want the ADL to revisit and clarify its mission. “The nation’s premier civil rights/human relations agency,” asserts that it “fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry”; not just “all forms of bigotry,” but “anti-Semitism” and then “all forms of bigotry.” Yet as murderous anti-Semitism around the globe has surged in recent years, the ADL has dedicated itself more and more to matters of social justice in America (e.g., immigration, women’s reproductive health, economic “privilege”) that are already being pursued by a plethora of lobbying outlets and activist foundations. This wouldn’t be problematic—or rather, duplicitous—per se. But the ADL loudly and incessantly bemoans the fact that Jews are living in an increasingly dangerous world. “Thirty or forty years ago,” I heard over and over again at the National Leadership Summit, “I couldn’t have imagined that Jews would be getting shot dead in the streets of Europe.”

Well, resources are limited. Is combatting anti-Semitism a “priority” for the ADL? If so, then the organization should put its money where its mouth is. Alas, this outcome seems ever more unlikely as it seeks to enforce group conformity and advance political agendas that have nothing to do with defending the Jewish people.'

And as Jonathan S. Tobin wrote a few days ago: 

'In the month since the presidential election, many in the American Jews have been in mourning over Donald Trump’s victory. For all too many Jews and the organizations that purport to represent Jewish interests, partisan disappointment has led to a great deal of loose and highly irresponsible comparisons of our present situation to Weimar Germany and the rise of Hitler. It is in that context that a new report from the Community Security Service (CSS) about terrorist incidents and attacks on Jews and Israelis in the United States since 1967 is critical reading for those who wish to re-focus the Jewish community on real rather than imagined threats to its security.

The report, which was written by Yehudit Barsky, one of the top experts on radical hate groups in the country, provides a comprehensive analysis of the recent history of anti-Semitism in the United States. She paints a frightening picture of the rising toll of violence against Jews from two distinct sources: white supremacists and radical Islamists....

This serves as a reminder that for all of the talk about Islamophobia, both before and after the election, Jews and Jewish institutions remain the main targets of religious-based hate crimes in this country. This is a fact borne out by the FBI’s annual reports on hate crimes. The latest available report is from 2014 and that one, like every other issued since the outset of such compilations confirms this fact. In that year, 58.1 percent of all religious hate crimes in this country were directed at Jews. Only 16.3  percent were anti-Islamic....

 Monitoring hotbeds of hate is key to stopping attacks, but, in the effort to avoid accusations of Islamophobia, efforts by law enforcement to keep tabs on radical mosques and other Islamist centers have been abandoned and wrongly branded as acts of prejudice. Without good intelligence, it’s only a matter of time before another major attack might be successful....'

 And as Melanie Phillips has so well expressed matters ('Mrs May's False Note'):

'Islamophobia does NOT come from the same wellspring of hatred as antisemitism.

 Antisemitism is a true prejudice because the hatred and demonisation it promotes derive entirely from lies and a repudiation of rationality itself.

Islamophobia is a false allegation of prejudice which is deployed to silence rational criticism based on actual facts about attitudes and practices within the Islamic world.

The result of Mrs May’s lethally compromised even-handedness is to misunderstand, and thus minimise, antisemitic attitudes and behaviour while shutting down legitimate and necessary discussion of the threat from the Islamic world – even to demonise as “Islamophobic” anyone who draws attention to the extent and consequences of Muslim antisemitism.

The result was the ludicrous exclusion from Britain of the anti-jihadists Geller and Spencer in 2013. Whatever one may think of their style or choice of allies, to suggest that people who fight against antisemitism and the jihadi threat to the world pose a threat similar to that presented by the terrorist godfathers Abu Hamza and Abu Qatada is just grotesque.

... Yet last July the government allowed into the country two extremist preachers from Pakistan, Muhammad Naqib ur Rehman and Hassan Haseeb ur Rehman, for a seven-week preaching tour of mosques. Both are supporters of Mumtaz Qadri who in 2011 murdered Salman Taseer, a Pakistani politician who spoke out against that country’s blasphemy laws....

To equate antisemitism with Islamophobia not only reveals a moral and intellectual muddle and a failure to understand what bigotry actually is. It also inescapably suggests a most alarming inability to grasp the full nature and extent of the Islamist threat to Britain and the free world.'

Meanwhile, Hizb ut-Tahrir, the extremist group banned in much of the Middle East but tolerated in Britain and Australia, has been making its view known, yet again, on the streets of London.

 Meanwhile, at an Austrian kindergarten's Christmas play ...

To say nothing of that German Christmas market in today's headlines.

These Legs Were Made for Walking (video)

While fanatics fume, football fans (mostly) walk on by.

Another glimpse (courtesy of arch-BDSer Alex Seymour) of those "Kick Israel out of FIFA" types, this time during the match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at the former's home ground, Selhurst Park, at the weekend.

A strange touch is provided by the guy who poses for his photo in front of the "Israeli apartheid" signs and then, when asked by an expectant Seymour whether he supports the Palestinian cause, reveals that he can hardly speak English and doesn't know what the demo's all about.

David Singer: France Humiliated by Abbas but Israel Remains Focused

Here's the latest article by Sydney lawyer and international affairs analyst David Singer.

He writes:

French foreign policy on resolving the Jewish-Arab conflict has been exposed to ridicule following France’s reported decision to postpone an international conference planned for December 21.

Originally proposed on 3 June – France’s blatant attempt to replace the conduct of direct negotiations between Israel and the PLO – as provided for in the internationally approved Oslo Accords and the Bush Roadmap – has embarrassingly fallen flat on its face.

In a document issued in September explaining France’s position – the French Foreign Office asserted:

"France has launched a two-phase initiative. A ministerial meeting, first, took place in Paris on June 3rd 2016, without the Israelis and Palestinians, in order to reaffirm the international community’s commitment to the two-State solution. At that meeting, the main international actors expressed their willingness to create a framework and incentives so that credible negotiations can resume. An international conference, to which all parties will be invited, will be organized in the second half of 2016 for this purpose."

Surely it would have been much easier – and certainly much cheaper and more effective – for France to pick up the phone and invite both Israel and the PLO to Paris to sit down and resume their negotiations (stalled since 2014) without pre-conditions and outside foreign interference.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had publicly expressed his readiness to do so on many occasions – but PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas refused to indicate his willingness to do likewise.

The international community may well be concerned to see the two-state solution – the creation of a second Arab State in former Palestine in addition to Jordan – slowly sinking into oblivion.

However the way to resuscitate it was not by calling an international conference – but by threatening both parties with retaliatory action if they failed to meet somewhere at some nominated time and place.

Netanyahu made it very clear to France on 7 December that he would be willing to attend such a one-on-one meeting with Abbas if the conference planned for December 21 was cancelled.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke, by telephone, with French President François Hollande a short while ago today and told him that if there is no international conference in Paris, he would come to meet with Abu Mazen for direct talks without preconditions.

Israel will not attend an international conference, which will not contribute to achieving peace.”

France has the undoubted diplomatic and economic clout to influence Abbas – as the French Foreign Office acknowledges:

“France is an active contributor to Palestine’s economic development and the consolidation of the institutions of the future Palestinian State. It devotes considerable sums (close to €400 million for the period 2008-2014, and €40 million in 2015) to aid for Palestine, about a third of which is destined for Gaza. Palestine remains the leading beneficiary of French budgetary assistance.”

Why France’s President Hollande allows Abbas to humiliate France by refusing to take up Netanyahu’s offer is a mystery. France’s foreign policy itself is a pure flight of fancy – declaring:

“France considers that the conflict will only be resolved through the creation of a viable and democratic independent Palestinian State, living in peace and security alongside Israel.”

The idea that any Palestinian State will ever be democratic is as fanciful as France’s belief that its planned international conference could ever succeed.

There are solutions – other than the two-state solution – to end the 100 years old Jewish-Arab conflict.

Perhaps it is time France turned its attention to investigating alternative solutions  rather than pushing for a solution whose use by date has surely expired since first being proposed in 1993.

So, Israel-Haters, Are You Still Happy to Appear on Press TV?

Yes, you, Jenny Tonge, Mick Napier, Stephen Sizer, and the rest of the gang.

Here's a video showing something deeply dark and sinister in the regime of the mullahs.  Genocidal, even, that word dear old firebrand Mick loves to throw around when demonising Israel.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73fO6rDFqvY

 To quote the uploader, back in August:

The untold story of the 1988 Massacre. Extermination of generation.

Earlier this month an audio tape was published for the first time of a meeting between Hossein-Ali Montazeri, former heir to Khomeini, and officials of the mullahs' regime responsible for the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in 1988.

The vast majority of the victims were affiliated to the main Iranian opposition group People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI or MEK) who were executed simply because they refused to renounce their opposition to the mullahs’ rule.

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, described the audio recording as a historical document.

She said the recording attested in the strongest possible manner both to the Mojahedin (PMOI/MEK) political prisoners’ rejection of surrender and to their admirable allegiance to, and perseverance in, their commitment to the Iranian people. The recording is also irrefutable evidence that leaders of the mullahs’ regime are responsible for crimes against humanity and the unprecedented genocide, Mrs. Rajavi said.

In Full: Theresa May on Antisemitism, Israel, Settlements ... & "Islamophobia"

British Prime Minister Theresa May’s address to Conservative Friends of Israel in full:

'These Conservative Friends of Israel lunches are always special.

But this year feels extra special. Not only is this CFI’s biggest ever lunch, with over 800 people and over 200 Parliamentarians.

It is the first time that I have come here as Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party.

And it is a special time, for we are entering the centenary year of the Balfour Declaration.On the 2nd of November 1917, the then Foreign Secretary – a Conservative Foreign Secretary – Arthur James Balfour wrote:

“His Majesty’s Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.”

It is one of the most important letters in history.  It demonstrates Britain’s vital role in creating a homeland for the Jewish people.  And it is an anniversary we will be marking with pride.  Born of that letter, and the efforts of so many people, is a remarkable country.  No one is saying the path has been perfect – or that many problems do not remain.

Of course, people are correct when they say that securing the rights of Palestinians and Palestinian statehood have not yet been achieved.  But we know they can be achieved. We in Britain stand very firmly for a two-state solution. And we know that the way to achieve that is for the two sides to sit down together, without preconditions, and work towards that lasting solution for all theirpeople.

None of this detracts from the fact that we have, in Israel, a thriving democracy, a beacon of tolerance, an engine of enterprise and an example to the rest of the world for overcoming adversity and defying disadvantages.

As most of us here know – and as I realised during my visit in 2014 – seeing is believing.

For it is only when you walk through Jerusalem or Tel Aviv that you see a country where people of all religions and sexualities are free and equal in the eyes of the law.

It is only when you travel across the country that you realise it is only the size of Wales – and appreciate even more the impact it has on the world.

It is only when you meet our partners in eradicating modern slavery – one of the main reasons I visited in 2014 – that you see a country committed to tackling some of the world’s most heinous practices.

And it is only when you witness Israel’s vulnerability that you see the constant danger Israelis face, as I did during my visit, when the bodies of the murdered teenagers, Naftali Frenkel, Gilad Shaer and Eyal Yifrah, were discovered.

So seeing isn’t just believing; it is understanding, acknowledging and appreciating.

That is why I’m so pleased that CFI has already taken 34 of the 74 Conservative MPs elected in 2015 to Israel.

We saw in that video what a powerful experience it can be. We are so grateful to the people in this room for making it happen – but, of course, there is more to do.

We meet at a moment of great change for our country. In the wake of the referendum, Britain is forging a new role for itself on the world stage – open, outward-looking, optimistic.

Israel will be crucial to us as we do that. Because I believe our two countries have a great deal in common.

As the Ambassador Mark Regev said, we have common values; we work together, on health, counter-terrorism, cyber security, technology; and we can help each other achieve our aims.

First, we both want to take maximum advantage of trade and investment opportunities, because we know enterprise is the key to our countries’ prosperity.

Our economic relationship is already strong.  The UK is Israel’s second-largest trading partner.  We are its number-one destination for investment in Europe, with more than 300 Israeli companies operating here.  And last year saw our countries’ biggest-ever business deal, worth over £1 billion, when Israeli airline El Al decided to use Rolls Royce engines in its new aircraft.

We should celebrate that, we should build on that – and we should condemn any attempt to undermine that through boycotts.  I couldn’t be clearer: the boycotts, divestment and sanctions movement is wrong, it is unacceptable, and this party and this government will have no truck with those who subscribe to it.

Our focus is the opposite – on taking our trading and investing relationship with Israel to the next level.  That is why one of the first places Mark Garnier visited as a minister in the Department for International Trade was Israel.

It’s why other ministers plan to visit in the New Year.  We have the captains of British business and industry here in the audience, from a range of sectors, who will be vital to that effort.  I can assure them, and everyone here, that the UK is striving to be the world’s foremost advocate of free trade, working with a range of partners such as India, Norway and New Zealand to achieve that.  I am looking forward to adding Israel to the list – once again, working together to achieve our aims.

Second, we both take our global obligations seriously.

As I have said, Israel does a huge amount for the rest of the world.  I think of the injured Syrians appearing at night at the Israeli border and being taken in and given treatment in hospital.  I think of the Israeli field hospital, which has saved lives from Nepal to Haiti, recently being rated the best in history by the World Health Organisation.  And I think of the project “Save a Child’s Heart”, which, as you saw in that video, conducts heart operations for children who would never be able to afford the treatment.

This is Israel at its best.

And there was one man who did so much to inspire this spirit of service, a man whose death we mourn this year: Shimon Peres.

Britain is proud to meet its moral obligations too, fulfilling our commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of our national income on aid.

Lives are being saved right now because of it.  But part of that duty is making sure the funds go to the right places.  Let me be clear: no British taxpayers’ money will be used to make payments to terrorists or their families.

It is right that Priti Patel has called for an examination of aid spending in the Occupied Palestinian Territories to ensure that every penny is spent in the right places and in the right way.  And she is looking at options for the UK to support co-existence projects in the region – something I know so many people in this room have called for. We are determined to get the right help to those who need it most – and I pay tribute to Priti for leading that work.

When talking about global obligations, we must be honest with our friends, like Israel, because that is what true friendship is about.  That is why we have been clear about building new, illegal settlements: it is wrong; it is not conducive to peace; and it must stop.

Third, both our countries are working to build fair, tolerant and meritocratic societies.

Indeed, that is the driving mission of the government I lead: to build a country that works for everyone, not just a privileged few.  As I have said, Israel guarantees the rights of people of all religions, races and sexualities, and it wants to enable everyone to flourish.

Our aim in Britain is the same: to create a better, fairer society, helping everyone to reach as far as their talents will allow.

That is why we should be so proud of the contribution Britain’s Jewish communities make to our country. From business to the arts, public services to education, that contribution is exemplary.

In order to help people of all backgrounds reach their potential, we need to remove the barriers that stand in their way – and that includes bigotry, discrimination and hatred.

Let me be clear: it is unacceptable that there is antisemitism in this country.  It is even worse that incidents are reportedly on the rise.  And it is disgusting that these twisted views are being found in British politics.

Of course, I am talking mainly about the Labour Party and their hard-left allies

In fact, I understand this lunch has a lot to live up to after the extraordinary scenes at the Labour Friends of Israel event.

It began, unusually, with Tom Watson giving a full-throated rendition of Am Yisrael Chai.

The audience joined in as his baritone voice carried across the hall. “Am Yisrael Chai – the people of Israel live.” It is a sentiment that everybody in this room wholeheartedly agrees with.

But let me say this: no amount of karaoke can make up for turning a blind eye to antisemitism.  No matter what Labour say – or sing – they cannot ignore what has been happening in their party.

Antisemitism should have no place in politics and no place in this country.  And I am proud to lead a party that takes the firmest stand against it.  As a government we are making a real difference.

 Indeed, when I was Home Secretary we took what I believe was an important step in gauging a truer picture of the problem, requiring all police forces to record religious hate crimes separately, by faith.

And I made sure we kept extremism – including the sort that peddles antisemitic vitriol – out of our country.

 That is why I said no to so-called comedians like Dieudonné coming to Britain.

It’s why [when Home Secretary] I stopped Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer and Pastor Terry Jones coming too – since Islamophobia comes from the same wellspring of hatred. [Geller and Spencer react here and here]

[And see Marvellous Melanie here]

It is why I kicked out Abu Hamza and Abu Qatada as well.

And it is why I brought together internet companies and government to tear down the poisonous propaganda that infects minds online.

Today I want to announce how we are going even further.

In response to the work of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, Britain will be adopting a formal definition of antisemitism.

Just last week, we were at the forefront to try to ensure that the definition was adopted across the continent too, at the summit of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

The result was 56 countries in favour. One country opposed it: Russia. But, as I said, we will adopt it here in the UK.

The Times, 3 November

That means there will be one definition of antisemitism – in essence, language or behaviour that displays hatred towards Jews because they are Jews – and anyone guilty of that will be called out on it.

And we have to thank someone who has worked tooth and nail to get that agreed. He’s our Parliamentary chairman; he’s my Post-Holocaust Issues Envoy; and he’s a stalwart of our party: Sir Eric Pickles.  And let us pay tribute to Sajid Javid too, for all his work in this ground-breaking step towards eradicating antisemitism.

Of course, as the people of Israel know, there is no better way of stopping the wrongs of the past being repeated than remembering where hatred can lead.  I have visited Yad Vashem. I remember standing in the Hall of Names – gazing up at all those victims’ pictures – and then looking down into the abyss and thinking of the millions more who were murdered.

It is an experience which is unforgettable – the closest thing we have to conveying what happened and why we must never repeat it.

That is why I am continuing David Cameron’s vision to build a National Memorial to the Holocaust next to Parliament, together with an accompanying educational centre, which will include the first-hand testimony of Britain’s Holocaust survivors.

The design competition for the memorial and centre has had almost 100 entries from teams stretching across 26 different countries.

I look forward to unveiling the short-listed designs next month when we mark Holocaust Memorial Day.  For we must honour our promise to Britain’s Holocaust survivors; we must never forget the Holocaust; and we must teach every generation to fight hatred and prejudice in all its forms.

When we talk about our countries achieving our aims together, that isn’t just for the good of Israel and Britain; it’s for the good of the world.  When our scientists come together, they are working to cure diseases that affect millions of people.  When we work together on our mutual security at the highest level, it makes the world safer.

When we increase trade and investment with one another, it brings more opportunities and prosperity to the wider world.  It is that collaboration that this organisation, CFI, so wonderfully celebrates and builds upon.

I want to end by wishing you well for something else Britain and Israel will be shortly collaborating on.  For Christmas and Chanukah fall at the same time this year.  So as we light up our trees and menorahs; sing Silent Night and Ma’oz Tsur; cook the turkey and the latkes, let us look to 2017 with gratitude and optimism. So Happy Christmas, Happy Chanukah – and a Happy New Year to you all.'

Have You Washed Behind Your Ears?

You may not believe your ears with this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9tIVQ8hdFs

 Egyptian researcher Ragheb El-Sergany said that Europe became acquainted with science and with moral values only through the Muslims. According to El-Sergany, a professor in the Faculty of Medicine of Cairo University, it was the Muslims who brought the notion of cleanliness to Europe, where people used to wash themselves only twice a year, he said, adding that the bidet is evidence of this. The interview with El-Segany was broadcast on Hamas's Al-Aqsa TV on November 24.

(Memri.org video)

A Chrislam Carol

Statement by several score of European legal eagles, including to my certain knowledge a chap who wore his Jewish identity lightly, eschewed Jewish communal life, but suddenly threw himself vigorously into the work of a body formed of fellow as-a-Jews whose sole purpose is denigrating Israel.

Not that he is signing "as a Jew" on this occasion, for the signatories represent a cross-section of anti-Israel legal opinion in today's Eurabia.

"Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) is a global, peaceful movement led by Palestinian civil society that seeks to put pressure on Israel to honour its obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law as demanded by numerous UN resolutions, in particular to end the occupation of Palestinian and Syrian territories, stop systemic discrimination against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel itself, and permit the return of Palestinian refugees.

Modeled on the Anti-Apartheid Movement that mobilized civil society against apartheid in South Africa, the BDS movement has become a powerful and effective global movement in the advocacy of measures aimed at pressurizing Israel to comply with international law, and at persuading other states and business enterprises to withhold all support for Israel’s violations of international law.

The mobilization of civil society in the interest of human rights, such as the campaign against apartheid in South Africa and the Civil Rights movement in the United States, has not been obstructed by foreign governments. The effectiveness of BDS, however, has prompted not only Israel but also some other states to adopt measures to suppress this movement.

France, the United Kingdom, Canada and certain state legislatures in the United States, have adopted laws and taken executive action to suppress, outlaw and in some instances, criminalize the advocacy of BDS. Such measures aim to punish individuals, companies and private and public institutions that adopt ethically and legally responsible business, investment and procurement decisions.

Other States, notably Sweden, the Netherlands and Ireland, have taken the position that, while they do not endorse a boycott of Israel, the advocacy  of BDS is  a lawful exercise of freedom of expression, a deeply cherished freedom enshrined in national law and international human rights conventions. Reputable human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Human Rights Watch, have likewise taken the position that individuals, associations, public and private institutions, local governments and businesses are entitled to advocate and implement BDS in the exercise of the fundamental right of freedom of expression.

States and organizations that view BDS as a lawful exercise of freedom of expression are correct. Whether one approves of the aims or methods of BDS is not the issue. The issue is whether in order to protect Israel an exception is to be made to the freedom of expression that occupies a central and pivotal place among fundamental human rights. States that outlaw BDS are undermining this basic human right and threatening the credibility of human rights by exempting a particular state from the advocacy of peaceful measures designed to achieve its compliance with international law."

More here (note the photo, in which a couple of familiar faces appear.)

Meanwhile, in anticipation of a speech, Baroness Tonge seems to be happy:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38281950

But I digress.

An exhortation by her ladyship re "O Little Town of Bethlehem":

has prompted a well-received (by western Israel-haters) response on the thread by an Arab follower, posting a despicable distortion of history and insult to both Jews and Christians entitled "I met Jesus today".

His name was Palestinian 
Issa… Jesus he was called 
On the altar of “chosen-ness” he was crucified 
Time and time and time again 
***** 
His face was Palestinian 
Olive, with a hint of agony 
Yet 
Years of torture fail to conceal the glow 
The purity of his soul peeks through 
The sparkle in his eyes invites you to dive in 
***** 
His pain was Palestinian 
The colour of his words 
Grips your guts 
And squeeze… squeeze … squeeze 
Until you lose consciousness 
You fall on your knees 
Begging for forgiveness 
***** 
His faith was Palestinian 
“Their sadism too much to bear 
In the street I waited for a car 
No way out but to kill myself 
Twilight hour the fall of night 
The call to prayer woken my heart 
Healing balsam caressed my soul 
Maybe…. In this life… still…there is something worth living for” 
***** 
His heart was Palestinian 
Carved with sorrow 
Filled with love 
Flames of rage and roars of thunder 
Hound his torturer to his grave 
***** 
His tears were Palestinian 
His first crucifixion… he was only fourteen 
On the second, he was nineteen 
From then on
He was crucified every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every month of every year 
***** 
His dignity was Palestinian 
Anguished by his rapists 
With his broken back he stood tall 
His wounds run deep… his head held high 
He saw the rainbow in the horizon 
When all gave up he gave them hope 
***** 
His smile was Palestinian 
It has been said: 
“To smile when confronted with most severe oppression 
Is an act of Resistance 
Rooted 
In unparalleled beauty” 
The smile of Issa 
Was Palestinian 
 ***** 
His resilience was Palestinian 
“As he punched me in the face 
I felt stronger 
As he kicked me in the stomach 
I felt stronger 
As he slashed my arm 
I felt stronger”, he said 
 ***** 
His hope was Palestinian 
Insha’Allah, ya rab, Alhamdulillah 
Bouncy words sprinkled around 
Buds of trust bloom and grow 
His broad grin whiffs you to life 
His nightmares close their eyes 
His tales of horror lie to slumber 
When all lost hope he saw a future 
I saw Jesus today

Just another reminder of the duplicitous nonsense that unites so much of the anti-Israel movement today.