Thursday - March 01, 2012

Is it okay to be critical of Israel ?  And how far should it go?

Open for debate?

Is it okay to be critical of Israel ?  And how far should it go?

Any conditions?  Like, what if you’re a politician?  Now keep in mind I’m not asking if it’s okay to be a stupid politician.
Interesting thing happened here. 
A certain Baroness Tonge was told by her party leader to apologize for her anti Israel comments or leave the party. She chose to leave.

Her party is the Liberal Democrats, or Lib/Dems as they are referred to. Lib/Dems are as you might guess, on the left side of things but are part of this govt. because the Conservatives could not pull enough votes to gain a majority. And btw, I read in the papers that the Labour (very left)Party is gaining some ground. That’s a very scary thought.
But back to the Baroness.

She said, among other things, that American support for Israel wouldn’t last forever. She also said a lot more and it got me to thinking about something.

For me personally, support for Israel is in my dna. Can’t avoid it even when I get upset by some of the things I read, where I think they may be wrong.  Thing is however, over time I have seen folks who aren’t saying nasty things but who are honestly in disagreement or who question Israeli policy.  The settlements for one example, that Israel itself said would be halted but somewhere along the line that got held up. Then when they gave the all clear to dismantle some, a number of it’s citizens moved in and planted themselves anyway.
I’m too far removed from the trouble and strife there, don’t read as much as I should maybe. Although time for me is quite limited on how much I can read and do and post etc. On top of everything else going on here.  So I take it on faith that overall Israel usually has it right, and that they aren’t the bad guys.  But sometimes they slip I suppose, and critics are quick to point it out.  And when they do, they get flamed and abused and threatened etc. It’s almost as though being critical is thought of as some kind of anti-Semitic crime.  Of course some people are very much that.  But surely not all of them. Anyway, even for those who are out and out holocaust denying rabid Israel haters, I’d rather they be right where we can see them. Out in the open.  That’s one reason I think some of the European countries with anti deny laws with jail and fines are wrong. 

So here’s the story on the Baroness. Was she wrong in all particulars and even so, why should she have been told to apologize for honestly held beliefs?  And in trying to silence her no matter how unwelcome her thoughts and words to some, isn’t trying to silence her exactly what we are all so angry about when the left and the muslims do the same to our side?

I do understand that perhaps her words did not reflect the policy of her party and the party leader had to do something. Asking her to say sorry was I believe the wrong something because it would not have been a very sincere sorry. Just politically expedient. 

Lib Dem Baroness Tonge quits party over Israel remarks

Baroness Tonge said she was disappointed with Nick Clegg’s response

“One day, the American people are going to say to the Israel lobby in the USA: enough is enough.
“It will not go on for ever. Israel will lose support and then they will reap what they have sown.”

Her resignation from the party follows a speech at an event held at Middlesex University, in which she said: “One day, the United States of America will get sick of giving £70bn a year to Israel to support what I call America’s aircraft carrier in the Middle East - that is Israel.

Labour leader Ed Miliband condemned the remarks, writing on Twitter: “No place in politics for those who question existence of the state of Israel.”

Right. Leave it to Red Ed to get into the act. She was critical yes. Maybe even over the top. But I didn’t read anything she said that suggested she questioned the existence of Israel.  It’s like the racist word.  Use a certain line and shut down the argument. Miliband was bought and paid for by the Marxist unions and I wouldn’t believe anything he said. He’s where he is because he managed to stab his own brother in the back politically, for leadership of the Labour Party. Not that I’m crazy about his brother either. A pox on em all. Especially the unions.

Mr Clegg said: “These remarks were wrong and offensive and do not reflect the values of the Liberal Democrats.
“I asked Baroness Tonge to withdraw her remarks and apologise for the offence she has caused. She has refused to do so and will now be leaving the party.
“The Liberal Democrats have a proud record of campaigning for the rights of Palestinians, and that will continue.
“But we are crystal clear in our support for a two-state solution.”

‘Mouthed obscenities’
Afterwards Baroness Tonge said: “The comments I made have been taken completely out of context. They followed a very ill-tempered meeting in which Zionist campaigners attempted continually to disrupt proceedings.
“They mouthed obscenities at the panellists, to the extent that university security attempted to remove them from the premises.
“The comments I made were in protest at the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and the treatment of Israeli Arabs.”
She added: “I am disappointed the leadership of my party did not consult me before issuing a press release and seems always to abet the request of the pro-Israel lobby.
“Israel is acting against international law, the Geneva Conventions, and human rights. They do this with impunity and if our political parties will not take action then individuals must.
“I have been asked to apologise but refuse to do so and resign the whip of my party.”
The Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine group offered Baroness Tonge its “full support”.

SOURCE, BBC NEWS

Before I go for the night I must make it clear.
I think the woman is a freekin loon. A moonbat of the first degree. Politically she’s probably her own worst enemy.

Posted by peiper     on 03/01/2012 at 01:43 PM   
Filed Under: • Israel • Stoopid-People • UK •  
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