..and even uglier

Worried

Posting this comment under a different nickname to protect my sources (I am a regular poster), but while attending a well known military airshow in the UK, I was enquiring why the latest US warplanes were not flying for very long and being accompanied by a chase plane. The response I was given (later confirmed by another intelligent well connected level headed individual) was that the US Government & Military no longer trust Great Britain as an ally. In the event the aircraft crashed before, during or after the airshow, the (armed) chase plane was there to totally destroy the wreckage so that it did not fall into the wrong hands. Who or what 'wrong' referred to I do not know.

Adam

Despite your best efforts, Israel is losing the propaganda war and through its disproportionate aggression arousing hatred against it. Even the vatican has been moved into criticising the Israeli actions as it continues to kill innocent civilians each hour.

stanley Jerusalem

The Fat Lady has finished saying kaddish.
["Britain is not finished until the Fat Lady says Kaddish" - Melanie Phillips answering a question after a lecture at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem; January 2007]
Note; Kaddish is the memorial prayer to the dead recited at a funeral and on the commemoration of a departed relative.

Tony

I am greatly saddened, worried and horrified by the loss of the British bull-dog grit that used to run through the thread of this (once) great nation. Liberal appeasement, dumbing down in schools and a leming-like obedience to stupid rules from Brussels has all but crushed a nation that once had a flag without sunset on it.
What on earth is going on? Why are an intelligent people like the British being sucked into this awful quagmire of defeatism, appeasement and pacifism? There are only 1.7 million Muslims in the UK and yet they are defered to by the other 58.5 million. Enough is enough I say, we need to get tough with the radical element among them or else we will regret it for all eternity.
I think the leaders of these violent demonstrations should have their right to abide in the UK examined and if any of them can't produce the correct visa or passport they should be deported along with their extended family.

Dixon

Thanks for drawing attention to this evil Mel.

I am not Jewish, but to anti-semitic folk that is neither here nor there. They typically have this ludicrous racial stereotype in their heads...something like you might have seen on a NAZI poster...and as they see me as fitting that profile, I have been receiving their abuse since I was a teenager. Thirty years.

In recent years it tended to diminish. But has been replaced by a new phenomenon. Asian or Middle-Eastern men spitting as I pass them in the street.

It feels as though, having finally laid one form of indiginous bigotry to rest in our own community, we have imported a revitalisation of it from outside.

Dixon

...I'm sure if I had been there, I would only have needed to stand in one spot silently minding my own to get attacked.

La Cumparsita

What has not been reported is that there were about 2,000 of us demonstrating our support for the people of Israel. Our banners read "Peace for the people of israel & Gaza" and "End Hamas Terror".
I'm not a brave person but I travelled alone on the tube to & from the event. However, I was not wearing or carrying anything to indicate that I was attending a demo or supporting Israel. But I refuse to let my right to attend a legitimate demonstration be curtailed by terrorist supporters & their threats. I was not at the front so did not see the violence.
I'll be supporting Israel at future events too.

Sam Green

Melanie,
I love your articles. But why do you continue this useless fight? As a British Jew I know how you feel. Trying to stop this massive upsurge of anti-semitism is like trying to stop a wave with an umbrella. I would suggest you move to Israel. I made the move 10 years ago and despite the current conflict, at least I know that I'm investing in my children's future here. What future do your children have in Britain if things continue this way? And they will. It's a rule of history that when financial times are tough, not only are Jews blamed, but they are physically attacked at well. If the British Left want to give up their land, culture, and civilization to the Muslim fanatics then let it be on their heads. You shouldn't have to pay the price. Those good British people who still see right from wrong will hopefully see how things are going, and will move to Australia in time. Don't waste your breath any more flogging a dead horse.

Joe Strummer

There have been actual criminal convictions in Glasgow courts for BOTP ( breach of the peace ) against peaceful protesters for their crime of holding up Union Flags towards Irish Republican marchers dressed in paramilitary uniforms commemorating IRA terrorist atrocities.

You ain't seen nothing yet, Melanie.

Winston Smith

This is disgusting but understandable. What are we supposed to do when our government is pro Palestine and anti Israel, that controls the press and media outlets to promote anti Israel and pro Palestine/Muslim propaganda?

I will be on the March on Sunday in Trafalgar Square(10:30am). It is a pro Israel march and I will be proud as a Non religious Brit to support their struggle as their struggle for freedom and the right to be is the same as every Nation in the West has experienced previous. This struggle is our struggle and we must unite with our Israeli brethren.

john doe

It's worth noting that the pro-Israel demonstrators also waved the Union Jack alongside the Israeli flag. Contrast this with the Muslim/Left crowd who would never exhibit such loyalty and patriotism.
A war is just getting started on the streets of Britain and it is getting scary. Soon everyone will have to ask themselves who side they are on.

Marie

As an Irish person I am utterly horrified at what happened in Dublin. Ireland, like Scotland and Wales, has been sold a pup by the nationalists who inhabit its power elites.

All those citizens who cultivate the nationalist instinct in these power elites – universities, parliaments and so on – haven’t cultivated nationalism at all. They have been led a merry dance and have instead helped these people cultivate Marxism. Without even realising it, all these countries apparently so keen to retain their own identity now grovel to whomsoever proves violent enough to fill the vacuum that this Marxian mindset creates.

Look at the way the SNP grovels to the Muslim vote. Mohammed in tartan anyone? Don’t draw it, of course, or one of the followers of the ‘religion of peace’ might try to, how does The Koran say, ‘smite’ your neck.

I never thought I’d see the day when my beloved Ireland grovelled before the Caliphate. Dressing toddlers in Hamas-style outfits - for what? So they can learn from a young age how to grovel like dhimmis as adults?

For shame, Ireland. For shame. Get off your knees before you sign all our children’s futures over to the bondage of the Caliphate.

suffolkbor

So getting out an Israeli flag to show solidarity with Israel now warrants a caution on provocation grounds from our "impartial police force " .One wonders how long it will be before support for Israel and anything that opposes the leftist / islamist alliance becomes a criminal offence . At the rate at which things are deteriorating I would venture that it will be sooner rather than later . I am deeply saddened and disgusted at what has happened to our country and if someone had told me when I was growing up that this is what the future held then I simply would not have beleived them .Now the future is here and I do .The tensions and hatred are like a giant pus filled abcess that is starting to draw and very soon will burst squirting it,s infective material all around .

Nick Shelley

Politicians in this country need to wake up and recognize who and what we are dealing with here. I would suggest, under the current circumstances, that they read the Hamas charter and ask themselves the question as to whether or not they think that we can do business with people who have this sort of agenda. For Gordon Brown to talk about "sorting the blame game afterwards" shows exactly what a dullard the man is. The enemy is amongst us, my friends - the rockets are pointing in your direction too...

Matt

My predictions for next week's headlines:

"Violent clashes between pro-Palestinian supporters and pro-Israel supporters" with no mention of the provocation that we see here.

This is an horrific and terrifying development for the UK and Londoners in particular.

Why is there no mention of this in the mainstream media?

Epi

I won't even bother to comment - you've already classified anything I'm likely to say as "mealy mouthed and meaningless".

Good bye rational argument is this really The Spectator?

Lahid Alwi

I am not surprise this is happening in Britain I am Muslim but i am against all the violence and propaganda that some under educated Muslims creating, I also blame the British left wing if they are politicians or if they are member of the public, the British did this to their country for having a lot of Muslim criminals who been kick out middle East, North Africa and East Africa living here, this kind of people don't have anything to do but demonstrate, some of the Jewish intellectuals also ignore about Israel and the extremism growing in the west, few years ago no one wants to talk about extremism it was taboo, now extremism is spreading out so quickly even the Muslim liberals are afraid, the westerns don't care, they only care how to make money fast, where to go holiday next and what kind of wine to drink, it is shame, in the extremist world you either have to be one like them or you are against them, they even treat their own people badly if they are little bit different, the British don't understand the things happening to the Jewish people or they don't want to understand, I don't know, it didn't happen to them yet, doesn't mean it can't happen to them, today is anti semitism, tomorrow is anti white Christians or others,

extremism are growing fast and they have to stop soon, otherwise we are going to have civil war in here Britain, multiculturalism is over!

mcmrjp

A very worrying time Melanie, I am seriously afraid this country has lost it and neither the government or police will protect us.

Winston Smith

Worried,

You may find this article in the Times just what you've been looking for : http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/rachel_sylvester/article5454713.ece

It is a rather worrying article by Rachel Sylvester entitled
"Memo: don't rely on the Brits in battle"

Do you really blame America not trusting the UK? After all look at the amount of 'British' Muslims who are going over to help the Taliban?

simone bacchini

Melanie is spot on when she says that "there’s now a positively medieval character to this frenzied hatred, which [has been] building up now for years in Britain as a direct result of two linked phenomena – the appeasement of militant Islamism and the toleration of its intimidatory and thuggish public displays."

How and why Britain tolerates the displays of such "thuggish displays" is a mystery, a painful truth, and a disgusting fact.

There is a difference between the expression of dissent - even heated dissent - and the thuggishness, the rabid rethoric, and the violence exhibited with increasing frequency in demontrations by Islamists, some Muslims, and their fellow-travellers, usually on the Left.

Since the publication of Rushdie's 'Satanic Verses', things have only got worse; how far does tolerance have to extend before it's too late?
The politicians are eminently absent in all this and the media seems to enjoy it. When will the voices of decency be heard again?

stan barker

its about time the english stood up to these so called muslim fanatics,before its to late.Enoch powell was spot on with his speech

N

Worried, that is troublesome indeed. Being an American of British (and dutch) decent it saddens me to see such a fine country/group of countries such as Britain going downhill. But look at the bright side, at least you aren't France........yet. If Britain sucks so much, given the content of Melanie's post for some time i'm guessing Britain isn't all that great, why don't people just leave? Being an American, i can point out all of our faults, but the US is vast and there is plenty of places to live where you don't have to put up with such crap.

Cohen

Perhaps, then, it is time for people like Melanie Phillips to leave Britain's shores once and for all. Aliyah awaits!

JJS

The Govt, in the person of GB the Prime Minsiter, needs to stand up -- and be seen to stand up -- and say quite clearly that the threats of violence against British Jews will NOT BE TOLERATED and that this country will bring the full force of the law to bear on anyone trying to bring violence to our streets, cities, and lives.

Adam B.

There is a rally in solidarity with Israel at 10.30am in Trafalgar Square this Sunday. Let's get a good turn out!

anwar

FOUR DAYS. FOUR DAYS.

That is how long it took the IDF before they allowed the Red Cross to get to civilians injured by its bombs.

Israel should be punished and hard for its barbarity.

egh

We're no longer a free country. We are subject to the euSSR and the Caliphate.
Of course the US can't ally themselves with us.

stanley Jerusalem

anwar
Wouldn't the Egyptians let them through then?
Oh! They must have had a good reason.

Yorkshireman, South Yorkshire

Can everyone try and keep things in perspective. Just because a few Jihadis and leftist start being aggressive at small demonstrations, it does not mean that Britain is in some kind of dhimmified state and everyone is feeling intimidated etc etc. I despise the Islamists every bit as much as people on here and have no intention of ever subjugating myself before them. There is no widespread support amongst Britons for these people or their views. Most people have no sympathy with Hamas or the leftists, its just that this viewpoint is not visibly / vocally represented. The fact that most Britons aren't out protesting is, as far as I can see, quite normal for Britain. Outside of the left, mainstream Brits don't usually protest against anything (reserve / stiff upper lip).

We've had the leftists / Islamists out here in Sheffield yesterday and the response was that most people ignored them when asked to sign petitions. Its obviously not as "exciting" as in London but there is no support for these people either here or across the country. The fact that this happens in London is of little surprise. Another epitaph to the failure of multi-culturalism

What does need to happen for this situation to improve is for the Police and public authorities to start reflecting the views of the "mainstream" British people instead of pandering to their politically correct Nu Labour masters. Once Nu Labour are out of office, any new Government needs to address this issue : the institutions of the British state need an ideological clear out and the personnel need replacing with people who reflect Britain. At the moment the British state is not representative of its peoples views hence the distorted image given out across the media of the state of Britain. There is no state outlet that reflects mainstream Britain and the Nu Labour rabble, endlessly talking to itself,is so remote and out of touch that it assumes that its views are Britains and vice versa. They are not the same thing.

There is deep disgust at this Government and its brewing. You can't see it on the streets. Yorkshire is historically very Labour but its support here amongst the traditional Labour vote is dying.

I'm totally, militantly against the Islamists and like you lot want to do everything possible to destroy them but in the meantime can everyone try and keep things in perspective and not panic. Being reserved is not a sign of weakness its a strength.

Joshua

To fully comprehend what the Jews of Britain (or at least the vast majority who support Israel) are up against one only has to read the remarks made very recently by Robert Fisk when receiving an award at Trinity College in Dublin. According to the JTA this is what Fisk suggested: "that the Israeli point of view in the Middle East conflict should be treated with the same respect as the Nazi position after the liberation of the concentration camps following World War II."

Laura H

N, American Dutch, British wherever you are, it is easy to say why can we just leave, a lot of the British left already especially the educated ones, but it is not easy to leave, it is not what you think, yes Britain is not big it is small country I will say the size of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire maybe, I am not sure, I know America is big and you have a space, but I don't think people in New York and California will like to move out if their politicians let them down, America is much organise, most of the American immigrants are integrated and they keep their religions at home, Did you also mention France? the French don't have the same problem like this, Paris to compare London is a lot safer, they are totally different cities

WJ

Anwar ... since when do the defence forces of any of the Arab countries allow the red cross to pass through its territories to get to injured Israellis? Never, is the answer. And the 4 days you quote (as if a fast) -- how do you know it's true? I do not for one minute think it's true.

Barbara VN

Barbarity? Israel? You've got to be joking, anwar. The shoe's on the other foot, methinks.

HarleyDavidson

Worried
Did you all somehow think we in North America were somehow voicing merely personal opinions the last five years about Britain being already lost to the Muslims? And that we don't trust you all anymore? Especially telling to us was the ineptitude and down right comical mentality of the British military and its complete lack of ability when Iran captured British seamen and women off the water near Iraq and Iran. Not a shot fired! Not one! Try that with Americans and see what happens. And what played out was absolutely the stuff (I thought) only happened in British comedies. You can't make this stuff up.

Worried, you are not making this stuff up. I have hear those rumors years ago. It is no surprise to us when your unions over there vote to cut ties with Israel. None! We expect idiots acts like this out of Britain. We expect indecisive and left leaning governments more in line with France than us in North America.

Today's article by Melaine only confirmed what we have been saying for years about you all. This is no surprise to any of us. None!

Arthur Lincoln

I am fully aware of Melanie's (and most of the regular posters on this site) views on the British National Party. However, Nick Griffin wrote a piece on the currant conflict within Gaza. The article was not, as you may expect, a diatribe against the evils of a Jewish state, quite the contrary. The interesting part of the article was not the article itself rather the comments of the BNP supporters following the article. 100% of them were pro Israel. I wonder what Melanie- or others - make of this?

Andre

Lahid Alwi
A welcome post and full of good sense. The secular atheists have failed us and allowed the men of terror to take over. I am a catholic christian. I believe only the truly devout of all religions Muslim, Judaism and Christianity can inspire the world to peace. This night I join my prayers with those of Lahil Anwi. Labriot - Bless you

Worried

@N: People ARE leaving or planning to. I know several - and they are all fairly intelligent, so the loss to the economy will be catastrophic - not to mention that their enlightened personas will no longer be here to defend the territory. The country was dumbed down by the same forces that control the mainstream news and columnists we're all so worried about - Channel 4 / Endemol Productions, BBC - and of course, Nu Labor.

I have interviewed for employment 100s of people here and their lack of intellect and comprehension of reality is so beyond hope, it is impossible to have a rational conversation with them - never mind employ them! Further, and we're all guilty of this, the nature of the Internet means that people obtain 'facts' in soundbytes, rather than spend years studying well researched materials and being able to draw conclusions based on a true comprehension of any given situation. They will believe anything.

The controlling nature of Nu Labor and the similar values of radical you know what earn each other respect, hence they are dancing together. I believe the last bastion of common sense left is Australia. But for how long?

Adam B.

Menawhile anwar, the Israelis were treating Palestinians in their own hospitals. Maybe they should be "punished" for that as well.

Peter Briggs

I am anti-Hamas because they say truely disgusting things about Jewish people, they are racist.

The problem I have with Melanie Phillips and other zionists is that according to them Israel can never do wrong. How is it possible that Israeli governments are never at fault? Mrs Phillips loves to criticise British governments (its what she gets paid for) but can never find a criticism of Israeli government action. The more frightening thing is that I guess that deep down she does actually disagree with some of the ways Palestinans have been treated since 1948 but will not publicise it as she feels it is disloyal. Is that honest and fair?

"Winston Smith" says our government is "pro-Palestine and anti-Israel", this type of statement is so wrong its laughable. Its so pro-Palestinian that it arms Israel, never publicly criticises Israel and vetos any UN action against Israel.

By the way anybody to is angry at Israel not letting in journalists into Gaza, shooting UN aid workers, firing mortars at UN safehouses, builing settlements on occupied land, collectively "dieting" (malnourishing and freezing) 1.5 million people and commitiing many many more cruel acts, is an islamist, far left-winger, anti-Semitic or part of a fifth column.

The people that criticise Israel for abuse and crimes against the Palestinians but then ignore or excuse suicide bombings or the rockets that land on Israel nursery schools (damaging them for life) are equally repulsive and inhumane.

Until each side values the lives of each other then we will never have peace.

floatingvoter

REALLY. Appeasement of Muslim propaganda. Are you kidding me. Israel is massacring people who happen to be Muslim. At least 60% are children and women who have bugger all to do with Hamas. The ruling party were going to lose the election until they embarked on this war. I can't see how protesting at this is being anti-semetic or is anti-semetism now simply saying you don't think Israel is fabulous. Is anybody allowed to criticize Israels policy / actions at all without being labeled as anti-jewish?

Or is it being an islamist lefty if you do this. Get a grip for goodness sake. I would have thought that it is Britain's job to tell it like it is, not support Israel or Hamas.

Worried

@Me (Worried 7:51pm): I meant to say '...last bastion of common sense lies in Australia.' (My comment almost suggested 'common sense left'. An oxymoron perhaps?)

Winston Smith

HarleyDavidson,

Believe it or not there are still people left in the UK who are part of the Bulldog Breed. I am one of them. Were I in charge of the country and had any Iranian boat tried to board a British Vessel, I'd have given orders to obliterate any Iranian vessel that came within 100 yards of one of our ships.
Have you any idea how it feels to be trapped in a country controlled by Communists as that is what the Uk is like now? I can understand how America feels, but then I blame many people. I blame those recruits in the Armed Forces who allow themselves to be controlled by a Government that cares little for them. Were I in the Armed Forces I would get the backing of all the other Generals in the Army, Navy and Airforce and stage a military coup, removing NuLabour from power.
However this is not to happen.
The UK will go one of two ways; complete control under Brussels and part of the EUSR which in turn will develop into Eurabia and Islamisation or else there will be civil war, not just in the UK but all over Europe.

Please do not think that I or many other British people condone what happened with the Iranians as we were livid. We were disgusted that our government allowed this to happen.
However, one thing I must tell you is that this whole debacle was part of NuLabour's plan to utterly destroy and crush Britain and the Nation State ending in it's absorbment into the EUSR(European Union of Socialist republics). I am just a man with a vote and an education and all I can do is voice my opinion and cast my vote. The UK is corrupt and no longer what it was and it's nothing less than Hell for many proud Brits left living in this Socialist's Prison.

Straydingo

One thing I love about the Web is that no matter what your social standing or where you live so long as long as you have an internet connection you can have instant access to information from a rich and diverse range of sources (Unless you’re Chinese).

For example if you type these words into Google videos:

“Palestinian children TV shows”

You are able to quickly see the type of messaging that has been poured into the young minds and maybe then begin to understand the cycle of hatred can’t be broken.

http://tinyurl.com/palestiniankidstv

Or how about typing these words:

“Hamas use civilians as shields “

http://tinyurl.com/hamas-use-civilians-as-shields

http://tinyurl.com/hamas-use-civiliansshields

Again after watching these videos you might come to understand why the civilians is Gaza have suffered – the only problem is that it’s because their own leaders are using them as sacrificial lambs.

Vision Aforethought

@Peter Briggs: Uh, war is nasty. Israel is defending itself and (unlike most nations at war), doing its very very best to avoid civilians. Why would it do otherwise knowing the world's eyes are on it? (Worrying itself in view of what is going on in other nations where the world's eyes are not so fixated.)

All said, accidents will happen and likewise, false intelligence reports may lead to the wrong building being targeted - as happened in the Gulf War years ago when that US bunker busting missile hit a civilian shelter with terrible consequences. (They thought it was a military target.)

What you have to understand here is that this area of land flourished under the Israelis (like the rest of the country today) and failed when left to it's own devices. Most nations in the world that are run by authoritarian regimes (whether communist, Islamist or otherist) are unable to govern and offer the same level of 'service' as Western style democracies. When a major hurricane or Earthquake hits the USA, not that many people actually die (Katrina excepted - but ironically for reasons related to my main point here!), however, when a quake hits Iran, Pakistan or other such nation, the casualties are huge. Why? Poor, almost medieval planning and technical infrastructure means the people are pretty much living in the stone age unless residing in a swanky hotel near the airport or a government building. Don't believe me? Go visit!

So, in Gaza and elsewhere, blockade or no blockade, poor leadership means the people are not protected against the 'enemy' - in this case Israel - or even their own society. There just isn't a functional 'system'.

It is not 'cool' to say this, but it is said that one or two Palestinians (actually, rather a lot), miss the Israelis - they protected them, gave them work and kept order. I know for a fact that the majority of the soldiers in the IDF are not the sort of people who could intentionally injure, never mind kill, a loving Palestinian child. Semites of all ilks are loving, passionate, proud and caring. The whole situation which really is all about the Palestinians being 'used' by external forces to fight and degrade the Jews is the most disgusting proxy war to have ever afflicted this Earth.

HarleyDavidson

Floatingvoter
OK, I do live across the pond, but allow me to take a wild guess anyway. You watch the BBC and read the Guardian, correct?
And you have a "lot" of Jewish "friends", correct?

Perhaps at this point we might revisit a little history. You should not have defended yourselves in WW2. You all should have let the Germans constantly bomb you all and then surrender. That way there would have been no nasty bombing German civilians back to the dark ages. You even missed the opportunity to surrender to the USSR in their heyday. But, thank God, all is not lost. Just go out to your nearest Muslim demonstration and surrender now.

Hamas? Not to worry. France and Britain along with their Arabic brothers are now in the process of saving their favorite terrorists friends at the world's best known antisemitic site, the UN.

Six week later Hamas starts firing more missiles as per normal and we meet back at Melaine's Place and get to do this all over again.

Dave M

There are two trends that have been taking place lately: The first trend is the widespread feeling of public impotency and outrage against military operations in general. Let's be careful to bear in mind that even though anti semitism is on the rise, China, Russia and America have also suffered the same kind of mass protest. In fact, there were huge waves of protest against China at the Olympics. There was yet more outrage against Russia for intervening in Georgia. The question is why does military intervention upset the Brits and much of Europe to such a degree? Is it, perhaps, genuinely linked to a sense of impotency - a subconscious feeling that other countries now call the shots while Europe and the U.K. no longer have the same clout? I mean, is not anti Americanism often linked to envy? Do people likewise fear or envy Israel's military might and muscle while they can merely appease militant Islam?
The second trend was highlighted by John Sentamu and it is certainly very worrying. Mr. Sentamu warned there is now a void within the U.K. as we now witness increased economic woes, the fall of moral standards, failure of family life et cetera. Where there is such a void, there is plenty of space for militant Islam to fill the empty spaces. This is what we see happening. In some ways it reminds me of the ideas floated around by H.G. Wells whose Time Machine novel (and film) predicted a future civilization of passive, pacifist sheep who long since abandoned normal human patterns of self preservation. One thing is for sure: If the generations of Brits who lived back in the fifties witnessed the current state of our society they would be shell-shocked. What a sorry state we are in!

Dave M

"If the British Left want to give up their land, culture, and civilization to the Muslim fanatics then let it be on their heads."

This does appear to be exactly what is taking place. As good as Melanie is at journalism I often felt her articles record the futile splashes of a drowning man in quicksand. Just when you think that just maybe the drowning man will see sense and pull himself out of the sand, down he goes again, getting sucked ever deeper into the depths. Today, of course, we see an even greater sinking being described. Still, there is the odd glimmer of hope Melanie gets through to at least some Britons and I believe she's very much admired in Australia. Many Aussies see the U.K. as an object warning as to what could happen also in Australia if the wrong sort of party gets into power. I think we all agree here there is indeed a man drowning in quicksand (Great Britain) but how can the tragic figure ever pull himself out? As the good Dr. Smith used to say, "We're doomed! Doomed!"

Kiwi

anwar wrote: "FOUR DAYS. FOUR DAYS.
That is how long it took the IDF before they allowed the Red Cross to get to civilians injured by its bombs.
Israel should be punished and hard for its barbarity."
NINE HUNDRED AND TWENTY EIGHT DAYS. NINE HUNDRED AND TWENTY EIGHT DAYS. And still the Hamas terrorists have not allowed the Red Cross access to Cpl.Gilad Shalit, kidnapped on Israeli soil, and held in captivity in Gaza under god only knows conditions, by true barbarians!

Adam S

As an Aussie that had 10 great years in England I'd just like to say all Spectator readers are welcome down under! You'll find that the lefties in Australia are more like the conservatives of the UK! Though that's not to say we don't have our own Muslim problem here, in places like Sydney there are issues with Lebanese yoof, it's more of a criminal nature than an extremist one, though we have a few crazies as well.

I know of at least 15 British friends who have moved to Australia in the past 12 months, because they fear that the UK has literally gone to the dogs.

And for any Jewish Brits, we have a thriving Jewish community in both Sydney and Melbourne. Book your ticket today! The first round is on me!

HarleyDavidson

Dave M

Dave I think this is an incredible statement of understanding on your part. I too feel it is America's and Israel's military might and muscle and experience in fighting wars that so worries Europe and Britain in particular. Its not easy being impotent nor having those more powerful than them calling the shots.

Winston Smith
Thank you for reply. I wish I could have said differently but in this particular case I'm only telling you the common feeling across the pond. Nevertheless, it is gratifying to see a few Brits still alive cut from the Britain of old. Now that was a Britain I could and did respect.

Vision Aforethought

@Dave M: Yes yes yes! I also quoted The Time Machine in a post a few weeks ago, possibly here and/or on the Evening Standard website re a related topic. The UK has become a nation of Eloi. The good looking / cute but totally brainless youth mulling around the shopping centres and high streets today really are like this. Weak, lacking any moral compass and sadly, frighteningly stupid. A lifetime of boozing has (or is) killing off their braincells, TV brainwashes what's left, bank charges / student loans / huge mobile phone bills etc fiscally break them so they are literally at the behest of the state.

The first thing you do to break a society is destroy the middle classes - the only component of a nation that pocesses the ideal combination of intelligence and fiscal stability to challenge a threat through the process of democracy and therefore maintain a common sense based status quo.

Louise

You'll notice that the BBC News website trumpets the Muslim warning regarding escalating radicalism and extremism among young Muslims if the British government does not take a tough stance towards Israel For maximum impact, the report on the website comes complete with a photo of demonstrators' placards demonising Israel, one containing the word "Holocaust" with regard to the IDF's operation. But the report says nothing about calls for attacks on Jews that have actaully been occurring on London's streets (just the briefest of mentions of concerns by Jewish communal officials entrusted with security). It wouldn't do, I suppose, to show Muslim thuggery at work so long as the recipients of the thuggery are pro-Israeli Jews. It seems that Al Beeb is much more concerned with pushing the line that terror attacks will be Israel's fault unless we change our foreign policy to suit the Muslim population, thereby prompting a push to that effect among a frightened British public, than to inform the public to the shameful fact that the Anglo-Jewish community, which for over 350 years has been a well-integrated component of this nation, living harmoniously with its non-Jewish fellow-citizens and rarely physically attacked except by Mosley's Fascists, is now in fear for its safety. If those from whom the threat to Jewish safety came were members of the BNP, the BBC would be screaming the fact over every airwave. I'm surprised at Frank Gardner; I did not take him for one of Al Beeb's gang of rogues, though it's likely that his report has been subjected to editing by those with the usual Al Beeb agenda.

dominic

Melanie's profound and insightful book Londonistan should be required reading for all concerned by the thuggish jihadist posturing we have seen on the streets of Western cities lately. The free world is indeed paying a heavy price for its complete disregard of the rise of islamism in the West during the 1990s. Sooner or later we will have to grasp the nettle of not just stopping mass muslim immigration into Europe (as most Europeans demand) and going further and revising treason laws to deal with islamism head on. In short, Britain will need a leader of the mettle of a Churchill or Thatcher to take on the politically correct establishment which has infected Britain's police, schools and branches of government to the point at which they no longer command the respect of large numbers of citizens. We may indeed be past the tipping point, but as Churchill himself said, we should never, never give up.

mark

HarleyDavidson - it's always nice to have some random on a blog speak for an entire nation. Especially one who invokes Godwin's Law so promptly! Thankfully I know plenty of sensible Americans who would disagree with you.

I think you need to explain your last comment a bit further, though. Why should floatingvoter not have defended himself in WWII? And how is that relevant to the subject matter?

John.

'US Government & Military no longer trust Great Britain as an ally'

Thank God for that. That means we won't have to send hundreds of British soldiers to their death in future. It's time for Janus Britain to look eastwards methinks.

George

Arthur,
Nick Griffin is operating on the principle that "my enemy's enemy is my friend". The BNP simply view the Muslims as a bigger threat than the Jews. Once they have dealt with the Muslims...

d1carter

God save the UK...

Tommy

I would urge everyone to sign the petition at UN Watch
http://tinyurl.com/7fqv5s
to Urge E.U. Leaders: Oppose Pro-Hamas U.N. Resolution

Barry Larking

I am in agreement with Yorkshireman, South Yorkshire above. The demonstration in London highlighted here is only another small part of a series. I have seen or read of worse incidents on Harry's Place, the blog Melanie Phillip's refers to in her piece.

The numbers are small, the tiny electoral support is hopelessly divided now and its political influence is so slight as to be invisible, one or two failed politicians excepted. Do not make the mistake of building up its profile. The alliance of Trotskyists and Islamists is not going to be either long or productive.

In defence of the police: They must try to contain people intent on exploiting their 'right of peaceful assembly' (NB Islamists: Not available in the Moslem world.) To do this they must try to minimise opportunities for mischief. Meanwhile, ex-patria factions exploit the Anglo Saxon ideals of free assembly and free speech. Not pretty, but also extremely harmful to their own cause. The British will not support extremists in any numbers.

Britain as an unreliable ally of the USA? I think not. Some Americans – the late Jean Kirkpatrick for example – have always been inclined to be suspicious of the UK but the level of co-operation at the highest level is unique, if mostly hidden from view. I think there will be disputes over tactics and the British Army is loath to practice open warfare in built up areas for the reason that when it did in Northern Ireland thirty years ago, flocks of pro IRA/Sein Fein US journalists arrived to record these 'atrocities' and beam them around the world. Today some in the USA do not care about world opinion; they will learn.

In truth very, very few non-Moslems support Islamist views in the UK, but this is somewhat more than do Troskyist views, whatever those are this week. If Islamists could hear what all of my contacts think they would pack up and leave. Concern for children, the old and innocent does not translate into support for Hamas, Hizbollah or Iran. It is simply good decent concern for the victims of events beyond their control.

Antonia

To Worried:
In 1984, a Soviet KBG defector, Yuri Bezmienov, gave an interview explaining the strategy of subversion by the Soviet regime in the West. As Bezmienov put it, and I cite: ‘brainwashing process is very slow and is divided into four basic stages. The first one being "demoralization". It takes from 15 to 20 years to demoralize a nation. Why that many years? Because this is the minimum number of years required to educate one generation of students in the country of your enemy exposed to the ideology of [their] enemy. In other words, Marxism-Leninism ideology is being pumped into the soft heads of at least three generation of American students without being challenged or counterbalanced by the basic values of Americanism; American patriotism.... The result? The result you can see ... the people who graduated in the 60's, dropouts or half-baked intellectuals, are now occupying the positions of power in the government, civil service, business, mass media, and educational systems. You are stuck with them. You can't get through to them. They are contaminated. They are programmed to think and react to certain stimuli in a certain pattern. You cannot change their mind even if you expose them to authentic information. Even if you prove that white is white and black is black, you still can not change the basic perception and the logic of behavior.’

I am afraid that what we are seeing today are the results of such a brainwashing in every Western country, including the US, and the year is 2009, which means one more brainwashed generation. It also explains why the worse examples of a pathologically illogical behavior we can now find among the Left. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, they have simply transferred their allegiance from the Soviet Union to Palestinians, who were after all the most prominent clients of the Communist regimes world over, and now have extended their support to all Muslims, including the fundamentalist Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Iranian regime.
Israel can use any restrain possible in her treatment of the Gazans, it doesn’t matter. It can provide electricity, food and water and medical care to the very people who openly pledge to annihilate them, and yet it is the Israelis who are being called genocidal not the Muslims who torture, mutilate and murder Israelis who have a misfortune to fall into their hands.
Yes, it is a pure insanity.
You can find the entire interview on youtube; it is truly enlightening and perhaps helps to explain what we do find so difficult to accept -- like a prestigious University giving an award to a vile anti-Semite like Fisk.

GRUMPY the GOLANI

G-d Bless the US of A.
Bless their sense of patriotism.
Bless their sense of justice so that good can prevail over evil.
Bless their can-do mentality which puts them at the forefront of technology.
Bless their military capability, and their dogged determination to get the job done.

BLESS THEIR STALWART SUPPORT FOR A TRUE FRIEND - ISRAEL.(in the face of euro/brit fence sitting and capitulation).

And to the enemies of this powerful alliance, i say - Zion be ayin!

Daibhidh MacAdhaimh

My historical and blood lineage to this country has steadily been tarnished over the years by our various institutions' mysterious alliances with enemies of liberty and common sense. The degenerated, mentally unhinged and totally irationale attitude of particularly white UK protesters against Israel suggests that I no longer live in a country but an asylum. I'm weary of it all. No wonder the writer of Revalations could conclude 'Come quickly, Jesus, come.'

Tommy

Marie said QUOTE....".For shame, Ireland. For shame. Get off your knees before you sign all our children’s futures over to the bondage of the Caliphate"..........UNQUOTE

I totally agree and have often wondered just how the following took place

Clip #1336 Broadcast: December 4, 2006 Ahmad Yousuf, Political Advisor to Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, Reveals Hamas Relations with the IRA
http://tinyurl.com/8d9yop
In it he describes how hamas travelled to Ireland as guests of the IRA and how well they were treated and of the advice they received ....................
you would have to login or register to view this clip

It is well worth registering to view the literally hundreds of clips of pure hatred, broadcast on TV coming out of the middle east and will give you some idea of where western civilisation is presently headed or should I say being cunningly lead

Lizzy

This is insanity. The best lack all conviction, to paraphrase Yeats, and the worst...and I mean the worst ... are full of intense evil. Too late to ask if this is the kind of world we want. It's the one we've got.

Conservative Cabbie

HarleyDavidson

"the British military and its complete lack of ability when Iran captured British seamen and women off the water near Iraq and Iran. Not a shot fired! Not one! Try that with Americans and see what happens....
Perhaps at this point we might revisit a little history"

Why don't we? Do you remember the U.S.S. Pueblo, the U.S . Military really did itself proud that day. A whole ship captured, American sailors tortured and not a shot fired! Not one! Let's talk about the scores of British soldiers killed by the Americans in 'friendly fire' incidents. How much better is your military?

I doubt there is anyone in this country who is a bigger fan of the U.S. than myself, however, don't start throwing stones at our military while you are standing in a glass house.

logdon

Brown's "sorting the blame game afterwards" is either deliberately disingenuous or shows that his handle on this is about on a par with his 'economic genius'. No more boom and bust, remember? That should be his political epitaph but if anything, what is going on with our domestic Muslim populations is even more serious. You can, over time fix recessions and downturns, not so easy to reclaim a country whose cultural identity is being stolen. We are heading into very choppy water and the impunity with which Muslim youth can assault and insult Jews is indicative of the supremacist empowerment they now feel. Labour has unashamedly pandered to this voting bloc and we are witnessing the emergence of a disturbing new trend whereby under cover of spurious causes, rioting, violence and mayhem ensues. The Rushdie riots set the tone, carefully organised upheaval with Muslim rentamobs bussed into Bradford to create as much mayhem as possible. The fact that they'd never read it was neither here nor there, their Pavlovian angry self-righeousness was sufficient, whipped up as it was by the likes of Iqbal Sacranie. And they got away with it. Using that incident as a springboard the ante is being ratchetted and we've witnessed similar in the northern riots and cartoon demonstrations where the 'blame game' was so watered down as to give a green light to semi anarchy. Since then Hazel Blears has pumped £70 million into 'the communities' thus reinforcing the fact that if they threaten the status quo we'll not punish but actually give them money just to 'behave'. In other words the classic jizya whereby dhimmis cough up and in return are offered rudimentary forms of protection. And so a once great state falters, stumbles and like the fall of the Roman Empire is devoured and hollowed out by a combination of native lassitude, appeasement and a non indigenous population eager for it's demise. None of this is accidental, it is part of the global jihad yet the dots remain unjoined. Here a bit of elucidation.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article5477420.ece

Miranda Rose Smith

Does LibDem MEP Chris Davies know what the word "projection" means?

Lee Lasurie

Louise......well said.It is indeed ironic that the anti semetic feelings being aroused in Britain are not being orchestrated by the BNP but by the very people of the left,the anti fascists,who are so fond of calling everyone else a Nazi.

phil

Lahid Alwi you are a brave and decent person and you have said what I have been saying for so long .The decent law abiding Muslims are scared stiff of these evil lunatics amongst them and we are doing nothing to help them They are victims of these criminals and extremists probably more than the rest of the Uk population and something must be done to curb them -Massive sentences would be a start for intimidation and racial attacks .

phil

Peter Briggs you have written a balanced criticism of we supporters of Israel and we need to take note ,I can assure you that most of us are bothered by excesses but when one is being attacked incessantly, objectivity lessens .I must defend the position with journalists as this is a war and security for the IDF strategic positions is surely essential ,especially in such a small area .I think it is needless to say that info would be spread ,you only have to hear the reporting of our own mr bowen to know that .Your non biased opinion is welcome by me and I feel sure by most others here but those of rabid race haters are not and we do get them too -keep writing .

Mike G

Intelligent people need to pull together on this and oppose both extremists and those that will do anything in the name of defence (remember the Bush doctrine).

The war is not between Arabs and Israel, but rather it is between the peaceful and the polarizing self-righteous. The latter are currently ahead.

Hamas are plain mad and Israel is disproportionate - and this is the cycle that spreads tension elsewhere.

Basically:
1) Israel is too emotionally involved to treat Gazan civilians fairly. The UN needs to step in. Israel just doesn't get what their behaviour looks like – it looks very bad - and they are doing themselves a grave long-term disservice.

2) In the UK (and elsewhere) we are being threatened into spinelessness and compliance by Muslim extremists. Look at the Danish cartoons. If it was evil to publish pictures of the prophet, then why were the Danish Imams who copied and spread portfolios around the world heros, but all newspapers apologetically banned themselves from the same activity? Nuts. And these are the people who hate all Jews. We cannot bow our heads to such aggression.

Melanie, you are eloquent and very informative, but your adjectives are always slanted pro-Israel. You never criticize Israel. This is not about 'your side' of the story, this is about humanity. Finally, 'disproportionate retaliation' is a real entity in the minds of intelligent third-party observers and your lame arguments of death-tolls in WWII (as per your other article) justifies nothing. People feel the unfairness and horror, and it cannot be surgically removed with historical argument or daft logic. Get on the side of humanity.

RUTH

Funny thing is;

All those defending Israel at these protests are Israeli or just Jewish.

Whereas all those criticising Israel come from every other nationality and religion.

Adam B.

Ruth, that's simply not true. I'm not Jewish. I fully support Israel. I have also noticed many non-Jews at solidarity rallies with Israel. I would argue that most of the demonstrators against Israel, screaming hysterically with unadulterated venom and bile are Muslims.

Adam B.

Adam S - sounds tempting! I've always thought Australians have their feet on the ground, as opposed to the elites of the UK who are up in the clouds.

floatingvoter

HarleyDavidson et al. Thought I might get such a reply. Clearly I can only earn my spurs by saying I don't have Jewish friends which I don't. Neither do I read the Guardian, though I did until they tried to defend Chechen terrorists killing lots of children in a school. I'm a British Indian Hindu if that is ok and I read the telegraph (not known) for its lefty thinking.

I was simply saying that criticizing Israel for killing hundreds of women and children is not the same as wanting Hamas to continue to bomb people. And frankly I think it is a fairly dangerous practice to accuse anybody who doesn't agree with this war as being anti-semetic. That is out of the book of Bush suggesting people are pro-american or against them. Slightly narcissistic really. People are entitled to have slightly more complex views.

hadrian

..'even the Vatican has joined the protest.' Well, the Vatican should shut up; it's quick enough to condemn Jews for defensive action but I seem to recall was utterly silent during one of the worst genocides of the Twentieth Century ( and is now actively trying to 'canonise' the one responsible for that so that he could achieve greater Vatican control of its German churches)

hadrian

Well, as a Reformed Protestant Christian I firmly believe the ultimate answer lies solely with Christ, the Messiah, God with Us, Prince of Peace. And the further our country drifts from that sheet anchor the further into stormy chaos she will slip. However, I do not believe however dreadful current events and the economy may be that there is no hope. We are given the spiritual stomach and staying power to remain and strive for things to improve. However a little cameo- I well recall a little sedate Strict Baptist chapel in central London, a haven of warmth and peace in the madding crowd. Sadly it closed some years ago and I lamented this to a friend whose comment arrested me. He remarked , well if a place and people end up so hardened, we are enjoined 'to cast the dust off our feet'and leave that field. God has given them over. I do not think the U.K. in the main has reached such a level of intractibility or hopelessness but we can never be complacent. If Christ does give us over GB will fast lose all its civil liberties, sense of decency, fairness and mutual toleration. Absolutely guaranteed.Demonising Israel and the Jews is a very, very bad sign, whatever their faults and however much we may diverge from them over Christ. There is a concerted anti-Jewish drive abroad today, driven primarily by Moslem fanaticism. But Jihad sees any 'infidel' as fair game. We are being warned by these events.
AS for common cause with the BNP- you must be utterly deluded. They are a 'strong man'/raw power party,( so oddly not unlike the moslem fanaticism they profess to despise!) a mishmash of statist fanatics and pathetic folk taken in by their tired old impotent tactics. The enemy of my enemy is not thereby necessarily my friend!

Bronx Boy 1

reply to Adam: Despite your best efforts, Israel is losing the propaganda war and through its disproportionate aggression arousing hatred against it.
What is disproportionate? After 8 years of being bombed almost daily, what would you do? There is no "proportion" to war - one goes at it to win.
As for thevatican's comment: remember where the Vatican stood in WWII - Hello!?!?!? and Israel is the ONLY country that has warned civilians to get the hell out of the way. It is Hamas that put their people in harms way and uses them as shields ( a war crime, by the way) - Just one more note: Have you onoticed thathye only pictures you see from Gaza are women and children suffering. Where are the men and boys suffering???? They aren't ahown because women and children make better P.R.

phil

posted by
RUTH
January 9th, 2009 1:41pm

Funny thing is;

All those defending Israel at these protests are Israeli or just Jewish.

Whereas all those criticising Israel come from every other nationality and religion.

WHY IS THIS WOMAN ALLOWED TO MAKE THESE OUTRAGEOUS REMARKS WHICH ARE PLAINLY UNTRUE AND AN INCITEMENT TO HATRED AND NO DOUBT MEANT TO BE .

Liam

What a picture of modern Britain!Islamo-Nazis marching alongside the fascist-left, united in their hatred of Jews and Israel. I am not Jewish but am old enough to remember what happens when propaganda is used to incite hatred.

phil

Liam there are so many good Christians who come here to give comfort in what is a lonely time for we jews -I thank you for your support because it means a lot .

Sheila Houghton

I have a letter from a friend living in Israel and I have lived there myself and can confirm the facts she presents. I will just pick a few points from the letter.(To quote)Hamas use the palestinians as shields. They hide in their houses, where they also keep their ammunition and weapons.Hamas also dress up as doctors in the hospital in Gaza. How would London like it if rockets came over? Do people know that Arabs live all over Israel, very wealthy and comfortably off. People think that the million and half Arabs that live in Gaza are all there are, not true!
Jordan and Egypt don't want trouble, they hate Hamas themselves.Nobody really wants them because of the trouble they make.Their children are taught and trained from birth to hate Israel. All they want is the destruction of Israel and they are backed by Iran.

hadrian

Phil- you can rest assured that every true Christian who knows his New Testament and has therefore proceeded to gain an informed knowledge of the history of the lands of the Middle East, knows the hostility Israel faces and despite our genuine grief that the Ancient People have not embraced the Messiah, nevertheless we defend your right to peaceful existence and earnestly pray at every public diet of worship to Jehovah for our Jewish friends and their security.
Mindless attacks on individual Jews in this country is an utter abomination.

phil

hadrian thank you too these posts mean a lot to us as I said to Liam ,both our ways of life and objectives are so similar ,regardless of our prayer books.

An American

Sheila Houghton,
Thank you for your comments

We sometimes forget that there are peaceful Arabs in the world that just want a decent life for themselves and their children.

But...until they stand up against thugs like Hamas that use their religion to destroy Israel...they will continue to be tainted and deserve to be.

All the more reason, for Israel to wipe Hamas out once and for all.

I only hope that the Israelis don't make peace until the job is done.

The US State Department should butt out...its not their citizens that are constantly barraged by Hamas rockets...

Most sane people in the Middle East and worldwide would be relieved if Hamas was no more.

A South African

Its the negative propaganda coming from the mainstream media that irritates me most.

Back in the 1980s, white South Africans were also vilified and demonized by the international media with half truths and even blatant lies: I remember seeing a pro-revolution photographer placing a bag of candy into a trashcan in full view of a bunch of little black kids. Of course when he stepped away the children stormed the trashcan to get the candy - it made a great propaganda picture!

As for me, I support Israel and the Israeli army.

Lori

I can't see any sequence of events that could reverse the demographic tide and increasing influence of muslim/arab ideology on Britain. It is incomprehensible to me that any significant numbers of Jews will stay in Britain. And frankly, any non-Jewish Britons who wish their children to grow up in the kind of peaceful and civilized land that they had as children, but let slip away, wil; move out too.

Thus it is all lost. I read to my daughter Kipling's "If" today before putting her to bed, and wondered what he would have written in these times.