UPDATE: Top British documentary makers peddle conspiracy theory about secretive Zionist lobby ahead of landmark TV show
(This article has been updated with links to the full pamphlet explaining the show which airs Monday night. The distortions therein are quite breathtaking. The update also gives a link to Melanie Phillips’ take on the matter. For both, see the links at the end of the article)
You know the old line about the racist who prefaces a torrent of racially charged abuse with the words: “I’m not a racist, but…”? Something similar about conspiracy theories could be said about the makers of a landmark documentary due to be aired this evening on Britain’s Channel 4 Television alleging that a secretive group of Zionists (just “Zionists”, not Jews you understand) has got hold of Britain’s main political parties and is manipulating them to spew pro-Israeli propaganda.
Writing about their documentary in the Guardian (where else?), Peter Oborne, a columnist for the Daily Mail, and television journalist James Jones are, of course, anxious that they should not actually be labelled as conspiracy theorists and seek to pre-empt such charges thus: “It is important to say what we did not find,” they tell us nervously. “There is no conspiracy, and nothing resembling a conspiracy.”
Except that their entire piece makes it quite clear that a conspiracy is precisely what is being alleged.
It is asserted, for example, that Conservative Party leader David Cameron this year gave a keynote address at the Conservative Friends of Israel’s annual dinner in the wake of the Gaza operation. The authors say:
“The dominant event of the previous 12 months had been the Israeli invasion of Gaza. We were shocked Cameron made no reference in his speech to the massive destruction it caused, or the 1,370 deaths that resulted, or for that matter the invasion itself. Indeed, our likely future prime minister went out of his way to praise Israel because it “strives to protect innocent life”. This remark was not intended satirically.”
Since it is obvious that no sane and rational person could possibly praise Israel in such terms, the authors conclude that darker forces must be at work.
“…what are the rules of British political behaviour that cause the Tory leader, his mass of MPs and parliamentary candidates to flock to the Friends of Israel lunch in the year of the Gaza invasion?” they ask incredulously. What could it be?
“During an investigation lasting several months,” they tell us, “we have been able to reach several important conclusions. We maintain there is indeed a pro-Israel lobby in Britain. It is extremely well-connected and well-funded, and works through all the main political parties.”
We later learn that “those in many sensitive foreign affairs, defence and intelligence posts in the Commons are often Labour or Conservative Friends of Israel.”
But there’s more.
“Meanwhile, a parallel operation is carried on against media organisations that criticise Israel’s foreign policy. In particular, the Guardian and the BBC suffer from a barrage of complaints and emails, many from outside the UK. The BBC has proved unable to cope.”
And, they conclude:
“The pro-Israel lobby, in common with other lobbies, has every right to operate and indeed to flourish in Britain. But it needs to be far more open about how it is funded and what it does. This is partly because the present obscurity surrounding it can, paradoxically, give rise to conspiracy theories that have no basis in fact. But it is mainly because politics in a democracy should never take place behind closed doors. It should be out in the open for all to see.”
So, while ignoring the weasel words of concern about the sorts of sentiments their documentary will inevitably enflame let alone the preposterous premise that the British political establishment is somehow pro-Israeli, let’s take stock of this.
The authors charge that British politicians (and media), are being manipulated into saying and doing things about Israel that they otherwise would not. The reason for this is that a wealthy group of Zionists has sunk its claws deep into Britain’s political parties. They operate in “obscurity” and sometimes from “outside the UK”: in other words they are secretive and operate behind the scenes.
Here is the Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of a conspiracy:
“A combination of persons for an evil or unlawful purpose; an agreement between two or more to do something criminal, illegal or reprehensible.” When we talk about “conspiracy theories” we usually also mean or imply that there is something secretive going on. Its participants are not being completely open. Something reprehensible is happening and it is largely or wholly concealed from view. In the specific case of alleged Jewish conspiracies there are usually additional hints that large amounts of money are involved and that a part of the conspiracy emanates from abroad.
Oborne and Jones are peddling a conspiracy theory. QED.
——
To read the piece in full and make up your own mind, click here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/nov/16/israel-friends-lobby-uk-politicians
To read the full, and quite bizarre, pamphlet associated with the documentary, click here:
http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/D/dispatches/israel/proisraellobbypamphlet.pdf
To read the views of Melanie Phillips on the matter, click here:
http://www.spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/
November 16th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
In the 1940s, when millions of Jews were murdered in cold blood by the Nazis and their innumerable allies, the Jewish community in Britain had no real political lobby, and, as a result, the British establishment was able to shut its eyes and snigger quietly to itself.
In the 2000s, when many hundreds of Jews were murdered in cold blood by Arab terrorists and their innumerable allies, the Jewish community in Britain did have a political lobby, but, despite this, the British establishment was able to shut its eyes and snigger quietly to itself.
Hmm.
November 16th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
“In particular, the Guardian and the BBC suffer from a barrage of complaints and emails, many from outside the UK”
“Barrage” - Emotional nonsense
“many from outside the UK” - and? - Both the Guardian and the BBC have websites that transcend international borders and the BBC’s broadcasts can be seen around the world. The ‘global conspiracy’ innuendo is obvious.
“The BBC has proved unable to cope” - unsubstantiated emotional nonsense.
“As the culture secretary, Ben Bradshaw (a former BBC reporter), rather bravely remarked …” - In what way was this “brave”? he got promoted to the Cabinet!
” …. the present obscurity surrounding it can, paradoxically, give rise to conspiracy theories that have no basis in fact.”
This is like an arsonist trying to sell fire insurance…. It is so disingenous, it stinks ….
Remember this is the TV Channel that thinks it’s OK to have Ahmadinejad give its Chritsmas broadcast ….
November 16th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Mearsheimer and Walt made similar claims when it came to their book. Apparently, saying you are not a conspiracy theorist is the same thing as not being a conspiracy theorist, just as saying you are not an antisemite is the same thing as not being an antisemite. And, of course, you are then licensed to act all indignant - “they are smearing me!” - when someone dares suggest otherwise…
November 16th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
The statement in the pamphlet (p35) betrays their ignorance: “For a long time Britain was not afraid to criticise Israeli foreign policy. For example … Sir Alec Douglas Home called .. in October 1970 for the implementation of Resolution 242″
Wrong - that is not an example of “criticism of Israel policy”: 242 is two-sided: it calls for withdrawal but only with “termination of belligerency” and recognition of Israel.
http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/240/94/IMG/NR024094.pdf?OpenElement
This is a basic error and shows a complete lack of understanding of the dynamics of the Middle East.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Islam taking over Europe is not a conspiracy in your minds but pro-Israel groups influencing European foreign policy is?
Gotta love the double standard with you people.
November 16th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Ben, these people are stuck at the pre-school age of cognition where magical thinking rules and where just because you say a thing it magically becomes true and, moreover, the more you say it the truer it is.
Anthony, you have been replied to on CiFWatch. For myself, I shall agree that there is no Islamist conspiracy when the Foreign Office is required to come clean about its links with the Arab states and that there are no Islamists employed there.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Getting Peter Oborne to make a documentary about Israel is like getting Nick Griffin to make a documentary about immigration.
For the vast masses who are ignorant of even the most basic realities in the middle east, they will believe whatever they saw tonight. That is why he felt he could get away with implying that the BBC is somehow beholden to this omnipotent “Israel Lobby”.
If Peter Oborne was interested in any form of balance he would have spent just 2 minutes each day browsing the Comment is Free website to realise that charges of routine and blatant anti-semitism to be wholly accurate and if anything understated.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
When old age shall this generation waste,
Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe
Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say’st,
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty,” - that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.
November 17th, 2009 at 8:26 am
http://cifwatch.com/2009/11/16/inside-channel-4%e2%80%99s-conspiracy-factory/#comments
November 18th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
On a seperate note,how dangerously irresponsible to show images of homes and even mentioning the roads and location. I understand the desire to reinforce the ” Rich Jew ” stereo type but what were the producers thinking of . Another Lord Sieff / Israeli ambassodor moment.
Utterly disgraceful !
November 18th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
My God, the UK just makes itself stupider and stupider, with full government facilitation.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Oborne is a useful idiot for the Islamists. He appears on the Islam Channel an Islamist propaganda outfit with a Saudi CEO.It pays to ‘watch thine enemy’.Tony Benn appears too.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:11 am
I’m a British Jew.
You don’t seem to know the difference between a conspiracy and lobbying.
Robin Shepherd says: Thank you for your comment. Constructively critical remarks are always welcome. But I think I make it clear why they are peddling a conspiracy theory.
November 20th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Can anyone explain what the purpose of the lobby groups is if not to influence decisions. Surely this is stating the obvious. Rich people have all-ways used donations to influence politicians. Surely keeping negative comments about Israeli out of the media can only make there job easier. No conspiracy really, remove the label Jewish and you have the set up for any lobby group. Are we really so haunted by History we can’t deal with the present?
November 26th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Hi Robin, that’s great that you replied.
What I mean is that the evidence you give doesn’t actually point to your conclusion that they’re peddling a conspiracy theory. It points to the conclusion that they’re uncovering lobbying activity, which is what they say they’re doing, and what the disparate elements comprising the Israel Lobby say they are trying to do too.
Oborne also says the lobby deserves more scrutiny. But I presume you’re not arguing against more lobbying transparency.
Even using your quoted OED definition, Oborne says he’s not out to show that people are working towards “an evil or unlawful purpose”, or that people are doing anything “criminal, illegal or reprehensible.”
In short, just because Oborne is saying that “that there is something secretive going on,” that doesn’t mean he is saying there’s a conspiracy. There’s a big difference.
Asher
Robin Shepherd says: Asher. Thank you for your comments. But, I disagree. The documentary presented a very familiar fit with Mearsheimer and Walt’s version of events in the United States. They too were adamant that they were not pushing conspiracy theories. But they were. Oborne and Jones make much play over the allegations of secretive Jewish donors while their own documentary makes it clear that there is no secrecy. The allegations are clearly irrational. And the effect is to implant in the public mind the notion of a malign and disloyal cabal of Jews working behind the scenes to undermine Britain’s interests in favour of Israel’s. That fits pretty closely to the traditional anti-Semitic conspiracy theory, a conclusion which is buttressed with reference to the accusation of disloyalty to the British state. What message do you think that the (endless) superimposition of the Israeli star of David onto the Union Jack was meant to convey?
November 27th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Thanks for your reply.
I think it’s pretty clear that whether you think they’re peddling a conspiracy theory is a subjective thing. They say they’re not and to me the evidence that they’ve shown does not comprise a conspiracy theory, so I conclude they’re not. You prefer to focus on the superimposition of the flags (something that happens on news programmes all the time when discussing relations between countries) and their focus on finding out who the donors are (of course some are more secretive than others - it’s the case for every lobby everywhere, and something I find part and parcel of any serious investigation of any lobby). OK.
But I think the next question for you is - do you think that a journalistic investigation of the disparate Israel lobby in the UK could be conducted in a way that you would NOT label a conspiracy theory. If so, you have to ask whether it’d be effective. (eg: would it follow up donors who didn’t give up their info at the drop of a hat)? If not, you have to ask whether labelling things as conspiracy theories is just an irrational knee-jerk reaction, quite a defensive one. And then you have to ask why.
Behind all this of course lies the much bigger question of Israeli government behaviour. I can understand that for those who think it is entirely in line with international norms, it is uncomfortable to have it treated journalistically like a pariah state. But many disinterested observers do see it that way, and for my money, attacking the vocalisation of that perception in programmes like this is just an attack on the symptoms.
Asher
December 24th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Thank you for the fascinating article!!. My fiance and I have not had satellite at our house for 4 months now, and I am so relived! Thanks again! I am always looking forward to your new posts!! Happy Holidays!!