http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/editorial/38-editors-choice/2033-amnesty-water-report-waterboards-the-truth.html

Z

“Last week he insisted on recalling and reissuing an attachment to a Board email because it didn’t have his full title on……”

Lemme guess, it begins with a “K”.

Jonathan, while I obviously know very little about the sentiments prevalent in the Jewish community in London, I have to say that from an outsider’s perspective, it’s hard to see how you can be criticized for speaking out assertively about the rampant delegitimization of Israel — and not just of Israel: I mean, after all, London is a place where polite society thinks antisemitism is an artform, as Churchill’s play illustrated. I remember a piece by the Guardian readers’ editor responding to a related query, where she explained her stance as “accepting” that some people think it was an antisemitic play, but she just didn’t see any reason why that should bother her… Maybe your critics think it’s better to accept such attitudes, not complain too much, not make a fuss about a little play here, an editorial there, an “anti-apartheid” fundraiser today, a boycott call tomorrow, etc.?

He sure is. On the other hand, this is very funny:

Race is on to lead the Board

“Jerry Lewis, a former vice-president of the Board and a deputy for more than 30 years, said that he had been “approached by many deputies hoping I would consider standing” but he declined to say whether he would.”

http://tinyurl.com/yl4e68z

And it’s a good job you’re not a woman:

Jewish leader barred after ’swearing’ at woman

“One of the most senior figures in British Jewry - the vice president of the Board of Deputies - has been barred from its offices for allegedly using obscene language against a female member of staff at a dinner in honour of Nelson Mandela.

One of the most senior figures in British Jewry - the vice president of the Board of Deputies - has been barred from its offices for allegedly using obscene language against a female member of staff at a dinner in honour of Nelson Mandela.

Jerry Lewis, who was elected to his post only three weeks ago, must now get permission before visiting the board’s headquarters in London, even though he heads up the community issues division.

Mr Lewis is alleged to have launched a highly offensive verbal attack on two female members of staff at a dinner in honour of Mr Mandela hosted by the board in April. It is claimed Mr Lewis, a journalist, lost his cool when he was excluded from the main dining hall and ordered to sit with other journalists in a balcony.”

http://tinyurl.com/yl9csdk

The outstanding:

http://cifwatch.com/2009/10/03/review-of-a-state-beyond-the-pale-by-robin-shepherd/

The appalling:

http://blog.z-word.com/2009/07/lies-damn-lies-and-the-apartheid-analogy/

http://thejc.com/news/uk-news/21026/board-blasts-israel%E2%80%99s-maverick-defender

This is despite inviting Amnesty’s Kristyan Benedict to the ZF launch and discussion of Robin Shepherd’s book in London (on Wednesday).

http://cifwatch.com/2009/10/03/review-of-a-state-beyond-the-pale-by-robin-shepherd/

On the subject of the despicable attack in the JC article by someone who is supposed to be on the same side, I was given an hour before their deadline to respond, at a time when I was busy with my dayjob. Maybe I’m a cynic - but I wonder whether the timing was deliberate on his part. I have three points to make in addition to the ’sour grapes’ one made in my quote in the article.

First I was accused of “damaging both Israel’s case and beyond”. I fear my accuser is on dangerous ground. I can truly say that I have never seen him in print, in blogs or on TV, or heard him on the radio or speaking out at hostile meetings. The old line about ‘working behind the scenes’ is very convenient as an unverifiable assertion but it won’t wash I’m afraid, especially given the other unverifiable assertion in the attack on me (”his tactics have been the cause of many complaints to the Board”). My accuser is an old hand at unverifiable assertions. In the Jewish Telegraph in 2008 (sorry, no link available) he criticised ZF Chairman Andrew Balcombe for living in Israel. He said “Having a Chairman living abroad is an insult to the people in this country who wish to be part of a vibrant organisation supporting Israel. Many other people feel the same way but are too afraid to speak out. Andrew has a hell of a lot to answer for and I challenge him to name me one other national British organisation that is run from abroad. Sooner or later he will trip himself up, and be forced to resign, or he will lead the ZF into oblivion.” (The unverifiable assertion is in bold).

Second look at those two words “…and beyond”. They are clearly carefully chosen. What could they mean? Here’s an interpretation an old friend has suggested. There is a long and ignoble history of the people who run the Board opposing any form of Jewish activism that they do not control or originate, most particulary activism which increases the blood pressure of antisemites. Those in charge at first opposed the Zionist movement and after the Second World War their successors opposed the 43 Group.

http://www.hurryupharry.org/2009/02/16/the-43-groups-final-reunion/

The “..and beyond” is a coded way of suggesting that by speaking out at meetings to rebut Israel-based antisemitism, I myself am the cause of it and that it would be far better if I stayed stumm.

If that is indeed what my attacker has in mind, how DARE he …

Third let’s look at the verdict of my effectiveness from the estimable veteran advocate Isi Leibler, formerly of Australia, now of Israel.

http://wordfromjerusalem.com/

(My Australian friends tell me he more than anyone was responsible for turning around the standing of Israel in Australia).

Leibler wrote in the Jerusalem Post last week lamenting the ‘erosion and marginalisation of most Diaspora Zionist organisations, with a few notable exceptions.’ I asked him if the UK ZF was one of his exceptions.

His response is quoted with permission: “For many years the UK ZF was low profile and inconsequential. It is only in recent times since you and a few others stood up to the trembling Israelites purporting to lead the Jewish community that it became one of the exceptions I mentioned”

So much for “damaging Israel’s case” (me) and “tripping himself up” and “leading the ZF into oblivion” (Andrew).

And I wonder who Leibler has in mind when he speaks of “trembling Israelites”.

1) ‘The Christisons are Israel hating loons. You will find their work in the pages of Counterpunch, the blood libel publisher.

Here they dare to speak up about American Jews and “dual loyalty”, which is actually OK as a topic, just like “wry jokes about Congress being Israeli-occupied territory”, in part because a Jewish “friend” agrees with them.’

2) ‘You see, ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is simple. Just denigrate Zionism as racism and get rid of that damned Jewish majority problem. Like, for peace, man.’

http://tinyurl.com/yzekbeq

From another piece at Harry’s Place about the “anti-Zionist” activities of Amnesty International’s UK branch:

‘The CST Blog has a comment about a blog entry by Amnesty’s Neil Durkin, in which he makes light of the genuine nervousness of many Jews, when it emerged that Human Rights Watch’s Marc Garlasco was a collector of Nazi memorabilia: which he finds “cool”.

Durkin’s view, apparently, is that this concern is manufactured and false, and is an attempt to deflect attention from the conduct of the Israeli state. This is a version of the “Livingstone Formula”: that Jews rattle the chains of the Holocaust in order to get away with terrible crimes.’

http://tinyurl.com/yzpeame