Comments on: Time for Prime Minister Brown to take decisive steps as Israeli Deputy FM says relationship with UK “insufferable”

By: Adam B.

Adam B. — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:29:13 +0000

Brown and his Israel hating cronies will be out of office in less than six months - unfortunately the Foreign Office will stay the same.

By: Jonathan Karmi

Jonathan Karmi — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:47:05 +0000

I don’t believe any of the things on Robin’s list will be implemented by Gordon Brown. The only possible change is the addition of a power of review by the Attorney General’s office as reported this morning, but how long would that take to enact ? I’ll be surprised if anything changes before the election. Mr Brown has enough problems with his backbenchers as things are. Also, would the Labour government do anything to antagonise Muslim voters ?

It’s my view that Britain has nothing to contribute to future peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Over the years the FCO has demonstrated its bias and ignorance, so it’s best kept at arm’s length. Britain is important as a trading partner, so hopefully after the election, normal inter-government relations will be restored.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:56:29 +0000

Thank you for this article.

At a time when anti-Israel ideologues around the world are stepping up pressure on the Jewish state, it’s very important that we have countering voices, such as yours.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:03:08 +0000

“risks rebounding on us by convincing Islamists that we are weak”

I fear it’s too late for that, Robin. When Anjem Choudary baits his BBC interlocutor over the Islamists’ march in Wooton Bassett by asking, “Aren’t I British enough?”, it’s clear what these people think of us in this country.

By: youcancallmemeyer

youcancallmemeyer — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:50:33 +0000

Israel should sever diplomatic relations with Britain immediately.

Pretending that Britain is Israel’s friend is a delusion and the sooner Britain is told so the better.

Israel tries too hard to appease its so called allies. It would send a better message to Britain if it was told they are not allies. Ditto the EU in spades.

By: J. Isaacs

J. Isaacs — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:06:39 +0000

Great wish list, but Israel relations are highly unlikely to receive any swift government attention after the publication of the Hoon/Hewitt letter. Brown is now so embattled that this urgent matter is, doubtless, near the bottom of his “in” tray.

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:52:49 +0000

Jerry I think you are ignoring the more obvious reasons fo ther anti-Semitism, they share it after all with their Euoropean colleagues and socialist radicals in Latin America, the US and South Africa, the leadership of the Anglican church and people from all walks of life in the Western world, rich, middle class and poor. They learn anti-Semitism from their parents and community, it is passed down from one generation to the next.

Would you blame the pogroms on Jews in York in 1190 and the subsequent expulsions of Jewry in the following centuries from all the numerous English counties on the physical and sexual abuse of the perpetrators including English royalty suffered in the (I assume) then non-existent public schools? What about the experience of Jewry in Europe in the Middle-Ages and the later massacres in Eastern Europe, up to and including the Nazis…abuse suffered at public schools by the guilty parties cannot account for all of those horrors, so why an exception for modern Britain?

as for Brown, Brown is emulating Chamberlain, he’s not gonna change. You may as well expect the sun to rise in the west and set in the east. Brown is a spineless know-nothing who only cares for political power whatever the costs. Brown is as much a part of the problem as the Foreign Office.

By: Romo

Romo — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:12:33 +0000

But then read the comments on the Times article today and you will see how entrenched these anti-Israel feelings are in the UK (and maybe not only here). It’s disheartening. The concensus appears to be that Israel is some tin-pot vassal state that ‘deserves’ opprobriation. Is it a reflection of anti-Semtitism? What is the rationale? Do these people really care about the Palestinian Arabs?

By: Jerry

Jerry — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:09:44 +0000

Re #3 Andy Gill: I am surprised and gratified that you mention the forced sexual activity in public school education. I am not sure how seriously you took your own comment, but I believe that part of the poor attitude toward Israel stems quite directly from being forced into the victim’s role when barely past childhood and then later into the victimizer’s role as an early adult. Such experiences are so insidious and destructive to the human soul that it prevents integration of emotion and intellectual function. It matters not at all how smart these policy makers are; they are cut off from emotional growth and insight. Without wishing to make an ad hominem attack on all anti-Israeli bureaucrats in Britain, I must say that their positions are so irrational that explanations for their prejudice must be sought within their own psychological structures. When Israel is referred to as shitty little country or is viewed in sadistic or masochistic terms, it is the speaker who requires scrutiny.

By: Andy Gill

Andy Gill — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:01:39 +0000

Thank you for this article. It’s about time the Foreign office was purged of its Lawrence of Arabia wannabees, who are bending over forwards to appease the Arabs. (Probably something to do with their public school education!)