And now, those who are on the side of civilisation
In these terrible times when western elites are dominated by the fellow-travellers of Islamo-fascism and genocidal Judeophobia, it is very important to realise that there are also some outstandingly decent, courageous and rational individuals who are putting their heads above the parapet and speaking up for Israel, truth and justice.
One such is Canada’s Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. Within a few hours of Obama’s call for Israel to return to the ‘Auschwitz borders’ with land swaps (as if the Arabs really do own all the territory beyond the Green Line, which legally, historically and morally they most emphatically do not) Harper was saying ‘not in our name’:
The Harper government is refusing to join the United States in calling for a return to 1967 borders as a starting point for Mideast peace, a position that has drawn sharp criticism from Canada’s staunch ally Israel.
At a briefing ahead of the upcoming G8 summit in France, federal officials said the basis for the negotiations must be mutually agreed upon. ‘What the government of Canada supports is basically a two-state solution that is negotiated,’ a senior federal official said.
...The Prime Minister’s director of communications, Dimitri Soudas, added that Canada’s position continues to be the search for a two-state solution. ‘No solution, ultimately, is possible without both parties sitting down, negotiating and agreeing on what that final outcome will look like,’ he said.
Then there’s Col Richard Kemp, formerly commander of British forces in Afghanistan and who has previously spoken up in Israel’s defence during Operation Cast Lead and to the Goldstone commission. At a recent Bicom conference in London, he delivered this tremendous address. Please do read it all, but here’s a sample:
This malevolent portrayal of the Israeli Defence Forces is carefully and systematically planned, cultivated, developed, expanded and relentlessly driven forward. It is the key part of what amounts to nothing less than a pernicious and increasingly dangerous global conspiracy of propaganda aimed at the total delegitimization of the state of Israel. A conspiracy that has so far exceeded in its international scope, anything dreamt of even by that master of propaganda, Dr Josef Goebbels himself, spreading the idea that Israel is so evil that it has no right even to exist, aiming for the point where that idea becomes an acceptable, mainstream argument in our societies.
It is no surprise of course that such a campaign has great popularity in the Arab and the wider Islamic world any more than Goebbels’s twisted propaganda machine succeeded in persuading so many Germans to his murderous cause. But what is truly shocking is the traction that this propaganda has gained in the west among student bodies, teachers, university authorities, academics, think tanks, human rights organizations, aid agencies, parliamentary bodies, and – perhaps most damaging of all, the mass media.
...The Report of the UN Fact Finding Mission into the 2009 Gaza Conflict, better known as the Goldstone Report, accused Israeli forces of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, deliberately killing, wounding and terrorising innocent civilians...only last month, Judge Richard Goldstone retracted the most serious allegations that he had made, saying that Israel did not in fact intentionally kill or wound innocent civilians. He wrote that if he had known at the time of his investigation what he knows now, the Goldstone Report would have been a very different document. Well, I, with my far more limited resources and access, could have told him a great deal of what is now apparently new to him.
In fact, I did tell him at the time of his report, in evidence I gave to the United Nations Human Rights Council in October 2009:
“During its operation in Gaza, the Israeli Defence Forces did more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone than any other army in the history of warfare.”
I based my opinion on 30 years of experience fighting terrorists and insurgents, of my detailed study of Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, of my extensive knowledge and understanding of the Israeli Defence Forces, and of my knowledge of Hamas and its military strategy and tactics. The same strategies and tactics used by insurgents and violent jihadists in Iraq, Afghanistan and many other parts of the world.
Many people have contradicted my assertion about the IDF. But no one has been able to tell me which other army in history has ever done more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone. In fact my assertions about the steps taken in that conflict by the Israeli Defence Forces to avoid civilian deaths are inadvertently borne out by a study published by the United Nations itself. A study that shows that the ratio of civilian to combatant deaths in Gaza was by far the lowest in any asymetric conflict in the history of warfare.
The UN estimate that there has been an average three-to-one ratio of civilian to combatant deaths in such conflicts worldwide. Three civilians for every combatant killed. That is the estimated ratio in Afghanistan: three-to-one. In Iraq, and in Kosovo, it was worse: the ratio is believed to be four-to-one. Anecdotal evidence suggests the ratios were very much higher in Chechnya and Serbia.
In Gaza, it was less than one-to-one.
This extremely low rate of civilian casualties flatly contradicts many of Goldstone’s original allegations, and the bleating insistence of various other human rights groups about Israel’s alleged crimes against humanity.
As with Operation Cast Lead, the tragedy of the Gaza flotilla incident almost exactly one year ago has been widely exploited as part of the conspiracy against Israel. The anti-Israeli activists on board the ship Mavi Marmara set out deliberately to provoke the Israeli boarding party into an attack that would cause bloodshed to be exploited in the world’s media. Which of course is exactly what happened.
The Turkish humanitarian group IHH were prominent among the organizers of the Flotilla, and had purchased the Mavi Marmara for that purpose. As well as being a genuine humanitarian aid group, the IHH is a radical Islamic organization: vehemently anti-Israeli and anti-American, with extensive connections to international jihadist groups including Al Qaida.
According to a French investigative magistrate specialising in terrorism, the IHH played an important role in an Al Qaida plan to carry out a mass-casualty attack at the Los Angeles International Airport on the eve of the millennium. So – not an entirely innocent humanitarian organization attacked without justification by vicious Israeli thugs, as presented in the world media, by governments and by the UN.
Richard Kemp: living proof that the lion-hearted land of liberty has not yet been erased forever, and that there are still great Englishmen who will fight to the death for truth, freedom and justice. In this civilisational battle now raging all around us, Col Kemp and Stephen Harper understand that there is a choice to be made. If you fight for Israel, you fight for civilisation; if you are Israel's enemy, you are an enemy of civilisation.
Yes, it really is as stark as that. These men get it. There are others who do too; some will never do so; and yet others eventually will, but too late.
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Melanie Phillips is a Daily Mail columnist. She also writes for the Jewish Chronicle and is a panellist on BBC Radio Four's Moral Maze. Her most recent book is 'The World Turned Upside Down: The Global Battle over God, Truth and Power', published by Encounter.
For a complete set of Melanie's articles click here
Melanie Phillips blog archive
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Neil Turner
May 23rd, 2011 5:18pmI attended BICOM, and the good Colonel was on excellent form
It was a privilege to be amongst so many who supported Israel
I took opportunity to chat to as many as possible during the day, and was amazed and encouraged at the wide range of people present.
It is clear from this event that Israel is not without friends in the the UK. Ironically, the only dissenting voice was that of our Defence Minister, Liam Fox.
He drew the only jeers when he talked about how Israel should be entering into "peace negotiations" with Hamas
Shazza
May 23rd, 2011 5:18pmGlenn Beck is doing his utmost to raise awareness of the seriousness of the peril being faced not just by Israeli Jews, but Jews everywhere. Israel is the canary in the mine - the west needs to wake up.
Truthtriumphs
May 23rd, 2011 5:25pmHow will it take for the usual malevolents and revisionists on this blog to accuse Harper and Kemp of being in the pay of the Zionist lobby?
Dr Michael A Ward
May 23rd, 2011 5:28pm"as if the Arabs really do own all the territory beyond the Green Line"
I'm sorry but I just can't get my head around the idea of land belonging to particular ethnic groups.
Another Joshua
May 23rd, 2011 5:47pmBravo Melanie, Colonel Richard Kemp and PM Stephen Harper. May you all live long.
HarleyDavidson
May 23rd, 2011 5:55pmI am a Canadian conservative who voted for Prime Minister Harper who said earlier: Date: Monday Nov. 8, 2010 6:10 PM ET
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he is prepared to suffer any political backlash that comes his way for speaking out against anti-Israel rhetoric.
Harper told an audience Monday that while Israel is receptive to fair criticism, Canada is obligated to stand up for its ally when it comes under attack from others.
"Not just because it is the right thing to do, but because history shows us, and the ideology of the anti-Israel mob tell us all too well, that those who threaten the existence of the Jewish people are in the longer term a threat to all of us."
The prime minister acknowledged that his position is not popular with all governments and organizations, including members of the United Nations and the Francophonie.
"And I know, by the way, because I have the bruises to show for it, that whether it is at the United Nations or any other international forum, the easiest thing to do is simply to just get along and go along with this anti-Israel rhetoric, to pretend it is just about being even-handed, and to excuse oneself with the label of honest broker.
"There are, after all, a lot more votes -- a lot more -- in being anti-Israeli than in taking a stand. But as long as I am prime minister, whether it is at the United Nations, the Francophonie or anywhere else, Canada will take that stand, whatever the cost."
PM Harper won his majority in Canada.
Col Richard Kemp YOU sir can be a Canadian any day! I salute YOU! I am honored to know men such as you exist, men such as Geert Wilder. And I was never so proud of my Prime Minister Harper than I am in this day and age.
Israel - Canada does NOT turn its back on its friends and allies. And there are more than a few good men and women on this site who well deserve the same praise for their courage and honor. Melanie Phillips is the lion of England - she fearless battles against the evils of deception well known in socialists circles who are themselves being wiped out by their own citizens worldwide. Slowly the world is changing. For socialism has destroyed the European world itself and a new world is emerging. What a glorious time to be alive!
Raymond Benhaim
May 23rd, 2011 6:12pmMelanie Phillips is great !
Louis Berk
May 23rd, 2011 6:26pmHow refreshing. It seems like Stephen Harper is an old fashioned politician: someone with integrity and willing to stand up for the truth. David Cameron and William Hague, take note.
Stewie
May 23rd, 2011 6:37pm@ Dr Ward "I'm sorry but I just can't get my head around the idea of land belonging to particular ethnic groups."
Ha tell that to the Irish Nationalists. Who co-incidentally love to fly Palestinian flags.
Tarka the Rotter
May 23rd, 2011 6:46pmExcellent article. Colonel Kemp clearly knows what he is talking about, and PM Harper is that rare thing amongst politicans, a statesman! Chin up Israel, there are those who support you and believe in your right to statehood, me included
Gareth
May 23rd, 2011 7:31pmI think there is a change of attitude taking place towards Israel. People are realising that the people Israel is expected to make peace with are much the same as the people imposing sharia law in Tower Hamlets and other parts of England. Even the BNP claims to support Israel nowadays.
Susan
May 23rd, 2011 9:31pmThank G-d for Richard Kemp - Jews always get discounted as paranoid, or worse, when we point out the truth, as if we'd somehow lie to - I dunno, score points? &, as always, thank G-d for you, too, Melanie Phillips!
Chris
May 23rd, 2011 9:49pmThanks Melanie for sharing this speech by one of the courageous men of our time. Col Kemp is clearly a physically courageous man, but more importantly, he has that rarest of qualities: moral courage.
John Edwards
May 23rd, 2011 11:36pmAh yes Richard Kemp a guest speaker at the Zionist Federation of Great Britain. There has never been any doubt which side he supports in the Israel/Palestinian conflict. He is not some objective military expert. He also admitted in his interview on BBC Hardtalk that he had never been to Gaza and had no direct knowledge of what took place there during the Israeli invasion.
Ben
May 24th, 2011 12:51amI get it too Melanie, it's just a shame more people don't have the backbone to admit the truth and not go along with the liberal BBC lies.Even if people checked facts on Israel that would be a start, but apparently educated people can't even manage that. It makes you queasy
Penny
May 24th, 2011 1:17amJohn (Edwards)
"He also admitted in his interview on BBC Hardtalk that he had never been to Gaza and had no direct knowledge of what took place there during the Israeli invasion."
How did you form your opinion, John? Are you a military man who was in Gaza during the conflict?
I'd hazard a guess that your information was not gleaned first hand or from an experienced military man who was on the ground at the time.
Going in to the area after the fact is visual I grant, but for an experienced officer, taking his information from all the available documents, it is not necessary to see every nook and cranny of the war zone.
What do you think officer training involves, John?
There's an awful lot more to it than square bashing, John!
Plus, you might want to look at Col. Kemps CV before you rush to judge him as 'Zionist'.
Grumpy true Zionist
May 24th, 2011 7:43amand some people used to refer to Canadians as 'america light' (like bud light)
now look who stands tall
certainly not that socialist civic organizer posing as a proud American, poncing around uk/euro, rediculously searching for some long lost relative so as to prove he's also a mielie mouthed old european elitist at heart
makes one want to chunder ones cookies
Col Kemp, as a ex serving soldier, i salute you, but more importantly i respect you
your efforts to portray the truth viz a viz Israel puts you up there in the realm of 'rightous amongst nations', for your steadfast, clear thinking and un-biased support of the IDF
G d bless you and keep the faith
Raymond Douglas
May 24th, 2011 9:03amHow I wish that a Kemp or a Harper , were OUR Prime Minister and foreign secretary. The individuals currently occupying those positions are a utter disgrace and a shame to our nation. The question needs to be asked again, "just what has happened to William Hague "? Cameron is just another shallow politician . But I always thought Hague had more about him.
Roy
May 24th, 2011 9:10amI was about to mention Glenn Beck on Fox News and see Shazza already has done so. Glenn does a great job to try to enlighten people on the threat that hangs over Israel, along with the misguided leadership and blind unseeing media America is floundering with.
Dr Michael A Ward
May 24th, 2011 9:15am@ Stewie
The Irish nationalist were not using either religion or ethnicity as criteria for citizenship last time I looked.
JOHN ROOSEVELT
May 24th, 2011 10:25amJohn Edwards
May 23rd, 2011 11:36pm
Ah yes Richard Kemp a guest speaker at the Zionist Federation of Great Britain. There has never been any doubt which side he supports in the Israel/Palestinian conflict. He is not some objective military expert. He also admitted in his interview on BBC Hardtalk that he had never been to Gaza and had no direct knowledge of what took place there during the Israeli invasion."
Are you suggesting the reason he gives for his opinions are wrong, unsound, duplicitous?
Would love to see you face-to-face withe Colonel...
disenfranchised
May 24th, 2011 11:31amjust returned from one of the few remaining civilised countries to this awful country with an especially heavy heart. however, having just read this brilliant article my heart has positively soared.
how inspiring to hear there are still real men left in this world.
thank you melanie. what would i do without you.....
Simon
May 24th, 2011 1:21pmWith our non-conservative Conservative party in charge do not expect anything like this to be said.
James Cotton
May 24th, 2011 2:23pmThe term 'Islamo-Fascism', which is often trotted out by western commentators strikes me as rather fascile. Even in militant Islamic organizations,there is no cult of leadership;Bin Laden was not exalted above the masses and the laws of Islam. Islamist organizations tend not to be nationalistic either; they represent the umma. If any organization in the Middle East has come close to Fascism it is the secular Baath party.
AY
May 24th, 2011 5:50pm"..He also admitted in his interview on BBC Hardtalk that he had never been to Gaza.."
So what? - I've never landed on the Moon, but I do know how things on the Moon are different from where I am.
It is named information technology - ants, bats, whales etc. use it, too.. yes.. eeh.. that should be allowed by progressive humanity, because they don't support Israel.
Augustus
May 24th, 2011 9:18pmJohn Edwards - What's your problem? Is it that the Palestinians have been short-changed? No, it can't be that considering the billions in aid money they've had from the West over the decades. Is it their treatment in the West Bank, and formerly in Gaza? Or the emigration of so many Jews from Europe, or UN resolutions? No, I think
your problem is that the founding and re-birth of a Jewish home in Palestine was a mistake, and that it was a Western, Colonialist or British mistake, and your goal and that of others like you, is to try and redress that mistake. It is, in effect,
an imbecilic form of egocentricity, and one that isn't immediately recognizable because
it hides behind a misplaced feeling of guilt. That the Jews founded modern Israel because they understood that they needed a state of their own because of relentless persecution in Europe and Russia, and that Zionism was founded because of 19th Century persecution doesn't seem to register. You are only interested in coming to terms with
'your' (the West's) mistake, and making indemnification for that mistake. And as for those billions in aid money for the Palestinians, let me assure you, their stinking rich Arab brothers have been far less generous.
Linda Cooper
May 25th, 2011 2:31pmCanada will always stick up for Israel which is the only democratic country in the entire region. The Arabs should start dealing with the problems in their own countries before they stick their noses in the political process of other countries. We back our PM in his defense of Israel. Apparently there are a lot of Arabs that are not too satisfied with their own leaders - get rid of them first before you start telling other countries how they should run their country. MYOB.
trev1959ad
May 28th, 2011 2:33amThank you Melanie,you've just said what I have been saying for years. Israel is in the very forefront in the battle to save civilisation from the barbaric Islamo-fascist threat.I get it...I wish more did.