Oh dear...

Guido Fawkes

Mel, if you carry on like this I'll stop sending pizzas to the IDF. I try to put myself in your place, no doubt you are on the receiving end of a lot of unpleasantness. Would I in your place see anti-semitism everywhere? Possibly. In this case you are barking up the wrong tree. Just because you are Jewish does not give you a free pass from ridicule.

Dr. Irene Lancaster FRSA

Dear Guido, I don't know you at all, except that you are mentioned on the Archbishop Cranmer blog. It is not that we see antisemites under the bed everywhere. On the contrary, we have been trying to avoid the issue for a very long time, until it hits us in the face. In response to your other suggestions, being misogynist will not lead to all women being beaten up and attacking Scots will not lead to Scotland itself being attacked. Unfortunately, your calling Melanie 'Mad Mel' does not help issues, especially as she is regarded by many as one of the sanest voices in journalism. I happen to know that she is taken very seriously by the Church of England, the BBC and other organisations. As an educator, I also found her book on the state of British education spot on. Ridiculing what you don't like won't help matters and as I have stated in one of my own blogs, it looks as if Britain is now becoming the new Germany. Dr. Irene Lancaster PhD FRSA http://irenelancaster.typepad.com/

J. Isaacs

Calling Melanie Phillips "Mad Mel" does not inflict ridicule; it is simply abusive and, as Melanie Phillips herself says, unintelligent. Or, to put it another way, it is not clever and it is not funny. Guido Fawkes should desist. Otherwise there are a number of personal epithets relating to his "Gordon the Bogeyman" reporting which might be levelled at him.

Malcolm Edwards

Dr Lancaster, Mad Mel is 'regarded by many as one of the sanest voices in journalism'? Is she really? This is both new and interesting! And somewhat unexpected too. I read Ms Phillips' blog strictly for entertainment reasons. I do not expect to be educated, or informed. And, lo, I'm not. I'm also amused by her attacks on the BBC, especially after taking Radio 4's shilling. Is it ghost-written by Craig Brown perhaps?

Joshua

"I read Ms Phillips' blog strictly for entertainment reasons. I do not expect to be educated, or informed...I'm also amused by her attacks on the BBC" -- You are far from alone in these kinds of views. It is one of the reasons why very many British Jews believe, in Dr. Lancaster's words, that "Britain is now becoming the new Germany".

Dr. Irene Lancaster FRSA

In response to Malcolm Edwards, Melanie was cited at length by the BBC's DG, Mark Thompson, on the subject of religious broadcasting and is also greatly admired by the new producer of the Moral Maze, who is a friend of mine. Because of my own work, I am constantly in touch with Lambeth Palace and am aware of their postivie views of Melanie. Melanie has won prizes for her journalistic achievements. Apart from this, Melanie is much admired by many around the world who do not share the ignorance and phobias of much of the current British intelligentsia. Even if all these people did not admire Melanie, as an academic expert on religion and Middle East politics, I cannot think of many journalists who know as much about the subjects she addresses and who has bravely faced the assaults and onslaughts of her fellow citizens. In my view she is a prophet for our time. This doesn't mean that I always agree with everything she says, but like most prophets, she is - in my view at least - normally accurate. If there were not an increase in antisemitic attacks and discourse in today's Britain, why has there been a revolutionary change of personnel at Lambeth Palace and in the Council of Christians and Jews, both of which organisations are now working hard to stem this rising tide and present Jews, Judaism and Israel in a more fair-minded way? Finally, it is perfectly acceptable to appear on the BBC and criticise it at the same time. I've made a programme with the BBC. This does not stop me from taking them to task from time to time. In any case, the BBC is a public broadcasting authority and not privately owned and has itself now produced a document stating that it has a certain stance on subjects, which means that although maybe not biased, it has not always been open to fair reporting, especially on the subjects of Christianity, Judaism, the USA and Israel.

Stuart

Guido, its simple. Melanie qualifies to detect Antisemitism as a potential and actual victim You do not.

Guido Fawkes

My video report of Gordon's snot eating habits remains one of my favourite pieces of work. It is also probably the most viewed video of a UK politician on YouTube of all time. I suspect it is not to the taste of Dr. Irene Lancaster PhD FRSA. Never mind. You are clearly a big fan of Mel's alternative world view. I too occasionally enjoy her writing, but for very different reasons. She is clearly an avid reader of my writing and I will make a special effort to wind her up more in future.

Malcom Edwards

Joshua, Britain would do well to become 'the new Germany'. It is a country with an admirable health and education system, sensible and tolerant government, and a progressive Green ethos. If only England were *more* like Germany! We have a lot to learn from our friends on the Continent.

ASG

Malcolm Edwards with his candid revelation of reading just strictly for entertainment value, a well researched and cutting edge informative blog that raises and highlights many social and international problems that have serious implications (although apparently unrecognised by M.E.) is a sad indictment on the psyche of those who regard this blog as frivolous entertainment. Perhaps he would find the MPACUK web site more to his liking.

Thomas Huxley

Regarding Phillips' sanity (or lack of), I point the interested reader in the direction of http://www.melaniephillips.com/articles-new/?p=551 Here, unbelievably, she defends the fairy story that is Creationism. Stick with the politics Mel. A scientist you are not.

LDN Calling

Dr. Irene Lancaster PHD FRS- As god doesn't exist it seems to me that your theology PHD is in sorcery & superstition & therefore worthless & it's most definitely pompous identifying yourself in such a way on this blog "ridiculing what you don't like won't help matters" are you reading the same blog as the rest of us Mel , devotes her entire time to ridiculing what she doesn't like & it's a very long list. Can you please explain what you mean when you say Britain is becoming the new Germany, I trust you mean that It's successful, tolerant democracy at the heart of Europe if so I hope we are. I suspect that is not what you mean perhaps you care to enlighten us as to your prejudices of Germans. I'm sure German readers will find them equally offensive as some the stupid anti Semitic remarks on Guido's blog Guido V Mel best show in town

Dr Martin Meenagh

I have always found Melanie Phillips to be courteous, and thought provoking. She and I have never met and she had no reason to reply to a note I sent her once, but did so with some grace. Whilst I do not agree with her views all the time I think 'mad' is a silly thing to say about her. Perhaps just being silly for the sake of it was what all this was about? A little bit of knockabout is OK, surely, but if I as an Irish Catholic could see the 'jews backed Blair' agenda behind some of this weeks reporting, how much more would a Jewish person? so Mel's not being crazy to report it.

Dr. Irene Lancaster FRSA

I could maybe have added that in the same blog, I stated that Germany had become the new Britain. Germans loved it, I assure you.

Michael B

It's as if some take a particular pride in announcing their dullity of conscience and obtuse and blunted perceptions. Remarkable more for the outspoken pride of it all than the blunted perceptions as such.

Alistair D

Thomas Huxley should read Melanie's article more carefully. She makes a clear distinction between creationism and science-based questioning of the fashionable attempts to equate science with atheism. Mr Huxley would also do well to check out Dr Lennox's book, to which she refers.

Susan Jackson

I think Guido went too far, realised it and is now sucking up but at the same time is trying not to lose face.

Malcolm Edwards, have I seen your name before in front of a sneering remark directed at Melanie Phillips? (Déjà vu Melanie, déjà vu.) To you too my smug friend.
Don’t boast too much about not being educated by her, it makes you look a bit thick.
Good old Germany! Let’s all pretend we’re talking about ‘The successful tolerant democracy at the heart of Europe’ and not the 1930s one that present-day Germans are so heartily ashamed of.
Some of us take comfort from Melanie Phillips’s eloquent words on our behalf against a tide of people who share your cosy little view. What have you got to be afraid of?

Robert Sharp

I think the problem is that Melanie was apparently citing the comments at Guido's blog as being representative of something wider. Blog commenters are a self-selecting bunch, and do not necessarily wield the influence of the Daily Telegraph. Melanie, if you see an interesting or engaging comment on a blog, then the citation is a worthwhile contribution to debate. But there is no need to treat the banter and baiters as automatically having a wider political significance.

Ian Turner

Dr Lancaster, whom God preserve, rushes to the defence of Melanie by stating that she is well regarded by the Church of England and the BBC. With friends like this etc etc!

Ahad Ha'amoratzim

Malcom Edwards wrote: " I do not expect to be educated, or informed. And, lo, I'm not." As to the first statement, who am I to set higher expectations for you? And as to the second, you have given ample proof.

LDN Calling

Susan I geddit Germany is code for Nazis. Thank you for clearing that up for me.

J. Isaacs

Robert Sharp would have a point, but he omits one fundamental category of self-selectors; the Unprintables. Both Melanie Phillips and Guido Fawkes must have to moderate out any number of these on a continuing basis. When added to other banterers and baiters the Unprintables must skew the statistics in one direction only; and that is, sadly, in the direction of growing anti-semitism.

George Steiner

You know fellows I really don't know why Jews are so worried about anti-semitism. Today it is a sign of jelous envy. However it is packaged. If you were a Brit who is not a Jew, would you not be envious of a mere thirteen million people, the totality of the Jews alive today in the world, who nevertheless control the world. So also said Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. And who am I to argue with him.

field

Melanie - I don't think you should quote from blog correspondence to undermine blog writers. This is what CAIR do with Robert Spencer - a very serious and for the most part insightful student of Islam. They take a few genocidal comments from his forum and represent them as the views of Robert Spencer. Robert Spencer as an American believes in free speech. I don't know anything about Guido Fawkes but I wouldn't condemn him on the basis of what people say on his forum. I would note (having had a comment rejected on another thread) that you seem very reluctant to address what David Abrahams is reported as doing in relation to a number of issues e.g. his candidacy for parliament (hardly the actions of a "secretive" man!)

Accrington Stanley

George Steiner December 3rd, 2007 11:12pm On my travels through the blogoshpere I too am learning of the astounding representation of Jews in all public walks of life, especially finance, politics and media - I had no idea.

J. Isaacs

Accrington Stanley might, perhaps, read some of George Steiner's literature on the finer points of anti-semitism, starting with "The Portage to San Christobal of A.H.". Maybe he could then vote for him to be ennobled, an accolade which would have come George Steiner's way around about the 1960's were it not for...

Irene Lancaster

It is not illegal, yet, to point out when journalists are writing clear-headed material in a knowledgable way. No amount of name-calling or insinuations can alter the facts about how Jews are viewed and treated in today's Britain. By the way, 'being taken seriously' by the Church of England and the BBC means just that. It does not imply friendship, or even agreement. I have no intention of reading Guido Fawkes and have managed to live without his blog thus far. I'm sure you all know the story of the madman who thought it was he who was sane and the rest of the world .... Pots and kettles, it seems to me.

Irene Lancaster

http://www.spme.net/cgi-bin/articles.cgi?ID=3280 This by a former professor of history at London University might give an inkling of what is currently being faced by the Jews of Europe. It's good on the psychology of the 'self-hating' Jew as well. I met the writer four years ago at a seminar for Holocaust educators at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. At that conference, he devoted a whole session to the development of anti-semitic trends in British left-liberal society (BBC, Guardian, Independent, Church of England, various unions, and most of all the universities were mentioned). And then urged me to get involved in countering the lies that are being disseminated about us. And funnily enough, the heavens didn't fall in and people actually listened - and did something about it.

Mike

Why is it that Melanie, Irene Lancaster and others seem to be whipping up anti-semitism hysteria amongst the Jewish Britsh community? Undeniably, there are 'red-necks' and 'bully boys' of the BNP, in many towns and cities, but where is the evidence that Jews are being targeted especially? I'm beginning to think that because of the unanswered predicament of the State of Israel to its long-term demographic problem, they are seeking to frighten Jews into leaving these shores in order to populate the Negev and Galilee. It will be a very sad day for the UK, and Bedouins at the receiving end, if this were to happen. If push came to shove Israelis are free to leave and return whenever they care to. Palestinians don't have that option.

J. Isaacs

Mike - See Gordon Ross's very sensible responses to your other fatuous comments. And, btw, I'll show you mine (other name) if you show me yours (other name). Meanwhile, it would be good if you went off for your holidays now like Gordon and the rest of us are going to do.

Mike

J. Isaacs. Well, well another from the tent of 'Gordon Ross'. Firstly I can't find anything from GR with reference to me on this blog originated by Melanie. Secondly, I am not at all sure anyone would know what you mean by 'fatuous'. Explain yourself man! But seriously you don't do yourself justice. Surely you can do better than that and respond in a more intelligent and less belligerent manner. I've already asked Gordon Ross, and others from the same 'tent', to take a look at the website of the 'Independent Jewish Voice' at http://www.ijv.org.uk/, and tell me where you don't agree with what they say and believe. But before you do, try and put aside your denial of the tuth, and what you have to do to put to right your view of the world, and understand the right of people to disagree with you. Otherwise it can only be construed as arrogance and smells of fascism. Now surely you wouldn't wish anyone to think that of you would you? For if they do it 'aint helping your cause.

Irene Lancaster

Mike's reference to the considered opinions of two Jewish females as 'hysteria' is a typical male ploy for dealing with women whose arguments cannot be easily refuted. Let's bring some men into this, Mike: How about the Archbishop of Canterbury; the All-Party Parliamentary Commission on Anti-semitism (not a Jew or woman among them, but one Muslim instead)), Channel 4's recent programme: 'The War Against Britain's Jews?', devised and narrated by a man... The list goes on. It is not my job to encourage people to leave for Israel. In fact, I think that Britain would suffer tremedously if all its Jews were to leave en masse. However, it's a fact that 2006 saw more British Jews emigrate to Israel than ever before and a great many of these were in the prime of life, but fearful for the future of their children. And I doubt very much that either Melanie or I had very much to do with this mass emigration. More likely it was people and organisation such as: Ken Livingstone George Galloway Various Muslim groups calling for the death of all Jews The biased reporting of the BBC, Guardian and Independent The threatened British university boycotts against Israeli universities The Church of England's similar 'AUT moment', as Melanie so aptly put it at the time The NUJ's decision to boycott Israel The current decision of various unions to boycott Israel The 7-year acceleration in violence against Jews in the streets of Britain and the increase in security required for Jewish schools, synagogues and other buildings Simply put: the Longest Hatred has now permeated Britain with a vengeance, unfortunately. I'm pretty sure that if Mike had been at the receiving end of some of the above, he might also be considering moving. By the way, Palestinians are perfectly free to emigrate, so I don't know what he's talking about on that score. At present, most of them support Hamas' statement since Annapolis that the whole of Israel 'from the river to the sea' is actually Muslim territory with no room for Jews 'even Jerusalem', so is it surprising that the Israeli authorities are being ever-so-slightly wary. Despite all this, Palestinians are currently flooding into Israel, as they don't want to be part of a Fatah- or Hamas-run regime. However, Israel is a society which does celebrate all its religions and ethnic groups, which is more than can be said about today's Britain, which downplays Christianity and advocates Islamcisation.

Ahad Ha'amoratzim

Mike thinks that claims of British anti-semitism are overblown, and that Zionists are exaggerating the problem for their own nefarious ends, "seeking to frighten Jews into leaving these shores in order to populate the Negev and Galilee." Similar charges have been made by Holocaust deniers in the Arab camp, claiming that the Zionists cooperated with Hitler yemach shmo in order to frighten Jews into leaving for Palestine to help dispossess the Arabs there, and that the horrors of the Holocaust have been greatly exaggerated. In fact, if I recall, this was the doctoral thesis of "moderate" Mamoud Abbas. It's good to know the provenance of Mike's ideas. As to evidence that Jews are targetted, it is there for anyone who cares to see, but Mike dismisses the evidence as propaganda.

Mike

Irene Lancaster: On a personal level, and at the outset, I would like to apologise for using the word ‘hysteria’ so flippantly and I would like to withdraw it. However, I think you will agree that since the second intifada, most, if not all the capital accumulated by the Jews since the terrible events of WW2 has dissipated. Public opinion of Israel has become much harsher fuelled by the military Occupation and the unacceptable treatment of Palestinians and their consequential despair, despair, despair. The internet hasn’t helped Israel’s case either. There are volumes and volumes of criticism available at the touch of a button, and possibly more books in print on the history, (admittedly some of it of poor quality), of this troubled land than ever before. Since I’m not Jewish, I’m not in a position to know what its like, but I do know you must feel threatened by what is going on around you. In the words of Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, ‘Criticism of Israel is not anti-Semitism. Even denial of Israel's right to exist - obscene though that is - is anti-Zionism, not anti-Semitism, despite the fact that the route from the one to the other is slippery and steep. We do not serve the fight against prejudice by blurring these distinctions’. On the other hand the burning and ransacking of synagogues, or attacks on Jews in the street, or the defacement of Jewish cemeteries would be anti-Semitism of the worst kind. In my opinion it doesn’t help your cause, at least in the UK, arguably the most tolerant, civilised country on this planet, for otherwise respected journalists and others, to fervently support Israel ‘Right or Wrong’ and be in complete denial of what is happening to Palestinians on the West Bank and elsewhere. For example, Melanie visits Jerusalem, says she drove along one of the highways reserved exclusively for Israelis, sees the Israeli side of the Wall, but if I recall correctly makes no mention of the conditions on the Palestinian side. As Emma Williams in her unbiased and honest book ‘It’s easier to Reach Heaven than the End of the Street’’ writes: ‘More often there is no realisation: the smokescreens of denial that hide the control and its effects are thick and impenetrable, the Wall itself serves to hide. Murals have been painted over the hard blankness of its surface to pretend the other side is not there, trying to conceal it with daubs of green and specks of flowers from an alien landscape. And if you do look beyond the Barrier, don’t tilt the 3-D glasses and see the Palestinian scene or see through the separatist mythology, the crushed desperate land of the caged-in Palestinians; no, no, quick – tilt them back, see only the gleaming highways, the spilling swimming pools and the orderly, red-roofed rows of houses’. If I may I’ll try and deal with the other points raised in your post later.

Mike

Irene Lancaster: There are couple of points that I have an issue with. In the absence of any evidence, I find it rather difficult to believe that Palestinians are flooding into Israel solely to escape from a Fatah and/or Hamas regime. However, there is a flood of young Palestinians applying for visas to the West for no other reason than to escape the confusion, disillusionment, fear, anger, depression and utter despair of living in an Occupied land, and similarly in Gaza where Sharon’s ‘disengagement’ policy has led to an insane fundamentalist Islam. If Israel is indeed allowing a flood of Palestinians into Israel, then this is driving a truck through the urgent need for Israel to solve its demographic problem centered on Palestinian/Arabs already living and multiplying in Israel. If Israel wishes to maintain the claim of a being a true democracy, then the time will surely arrive when Palestinians assert such an electoral influence that it will undermine Israel’s so-called ‘democratic’ features and pass effective control of the Knesset to Palestinian leadership of the Occupied territories. Will this be acceptable to those whose legacy of Zionist training is in the cradle ie anti-Arab and anti-democratic? Prof Sofer of Haifa University has warned that the population growth of Israeli Arabs at about 3.5% per year was comparable to sub-Saharan Africa, but that the mortality rate was close to Europe’s. The Bedouin in the Negev had an even higher rate of increase at 4.5%; one of the largest in the world. The time is about to arrive when Jews will have to decide whether the State of Israel should continue to be a Jewish-Zionist State or whether it should ‘turn into a State for all its citizens’. What do you think?