“Israeli Apartheid” book — What happened at the book launch sponsored by UK charity? Part 2.
This is history in action. So, following from the previous entry, I also offer another account of the War on Want launch event for Ben White’s “Israeli Apartheid” book. This account, from Eric Lee, is particularly interesting since the author is an admirer of War on Want’s Leftist position and has been published by Pluto Press, the publisher of White’s book. On his website, he entitles his version of what takes place: “An East London Horror Story”. He recounts:
“I said that I had the greatest respect for War on Want and the work it does around the world — and I do. But then I added that I was troubled by what was said — and not said — this evening.”
And, he adds:
“Both speakers, [John] Hilary [the head of War on Want] and White, spoke passionately about the suffering of the Palestinians. I reminded the audience of the powerful images that stayed in our minds after hearing the accounts of Israeli soldiers shooting out the windows of a school, or of an ageing Palestinian man whose only dream was to spend one last night in his family home.
“But there was not one word of sympathy or understanding for the Jewish victims of this tragedy which has gone on for far too long.
“When one of the speakers from the floor pointed out that the separation fence had dramatically reduced the number of terrorist incidents inside Israel, White responded — I pointed out — with a kind of ‘yeah, whatever’.
“I turned to face the two speakers and said to them, when you show empathy for one side, but none for the other, when you feel nothing at all for the Jews and their suffering, there is a word for that.”
To read the full account from Eric Lee, click here:
http://www.ericlee.info/2009/07/an_east_london_horror_story.html
