London’s Bloomsbury Theatre was scheduled to host the Zionist Federation’s annual Israeli Independence Day celebrations taking place on 28 April. Anti-Israel groups, however, protested at the participation of an IDF entertainment troupe at the event. Despite the IDF troupe being removed from the programme by the ZF, the Bloomsbury received the following e-mail from a fringe group calling itself the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network:
How will you monitor that IDF performers will not appear under another guise? On a matter so serious as entertaining the presence of those accused of genocide by the UN and others respected for human rights monitoring, surely you don’t intend to be satisfied that the IDF’s removal from the ZF’s publicity is enough.
The Bloomsbury replied:
Further to my recent e-mail regarding proposed performances at the theatre by an entertainment troupe associated with the Israel Defence Force, it has now been decided that, despite assurances that the troupe had been withdrawn from the line-ups, the events in question will now be cancelled. Thanks again for your e-mail; I hope to welcome you to an event at the Bloomsbury Theatre in the future.
HonestReporting and a multitude of pro-Israel organisations have been repeatedly subjected to false charges that they are part of a sinister “lobby” intent on shutting down freedom of speech and debate on Israel. As recently as March 2009, the British Medical Journal attacked HonestReporting by name, publishing an article strongly criticising the “pro-Israel lobby” for “pornographic,” “abusive” and “obscene” attacks – many by people “who have never read the original articles” they comment on. This, following past efforts to smear us from Johann Hari and Robert Fisk in The Independent.
Speaking exclusively to HR UK, Jonathan Hoffman, co-Vice Chair of the Zionist Federation, responded to the Bloomsbury Theatre’s cancellation:
This reeks of hypocrisy. Time and again we see the UK-based Israel bashing brigade trying to persuade artistic venues to stamp on freedom of expression in the UK and in this instance a venue has caved in. In August 2008 the Israel bashers tried to disrupt a performance in Edinburgh by the Jerusalem Quartet and they have now been prosecuted for it. Contrast this with the attitude of Israel’s supporters. In February the Royal Court theatre in London put on a play ‘Seven Jewish Children’ which demonised Israeli parents and contained elements of anti-Semitism. There was no disruption whatever.
The same in 2006 when the Bloomsbury – the theatre which has cancelled the YH61 event – played host to an event organised by ‘Deir Yassin Remembered’, an organisation with leadership and advisers who have been accused of Holocaust Denial. No-one disrupted that. The Israel demonisers also tried (unsuccessfully) to get the Israel Science Days (on 5 March) cancelled – thus attempting to deprive sixth formers of scientific education. To their credit – and in stark contrast to this capitulation to the enemies of free speech and enlightenment – the Science Museums stood up for what is right.
Who is the real “lobby” attempting to stifle debate and shut down freedom of speech? We find it objectionable that the media refers to a powerful “Israel or Zionist Lobby” at the same time as the op-ed pages of various UK newspapers, theatre stages and even Parliament, where Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal is to speak on a live videolink, are open to the most vitriolic anti-Israel voices and organisations.
Pro-Israeli individuals and organisations have the right to express themselves. With freedom of speech comes responsibility. Allowing the leader of a proscribed terrorist organisation committed to the destruction of Israel to address the home of British democracy is beyond the pale.
Please write to your local MP and to the media to register your protest.
DURBAN 2: UK RIGHTS AND WRONGS
Even before Iran’s President Ahmadinejad made international headlines by hammering the final nail in the coffin of the UN’s Durban 2 anti-racism conference in Geneva, Switzerland, both The Times and Daily Telegraph commented on the UK’s participation.
The Daily Telegraph’s editorial stated: “Durban II will be little more than a celebration of the alliance between anti-Western leftists and Islamists. Countries that take civil rights seriously are right to stay away. Why is Britain not among them?”
Writing in The Times, Rosemary Righter points out that the conference reaffirms the shameful declaration from the original 2001 Durban conference that singled out Israel from all the nations of the world as a racist state. She continues:
The godparents of “Durban II” are Libya, Pakistan, Iran, Russia and Cuba, the chairmen and rapporteur of the preparatory meetings. The opening will be dominated by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who persecutes Iran’s minorities and threatens Israel with a second Holocaust while denying that the first happened. Governments are on notice that bigotry and lies will trump tolerance and free speech. What you cannot beat, you should not always join.
But is something amiss at the BBC? On Newsnight of 20 April (view the video around 29 mins in), Jeremy Paxman interviewed the UK Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Peter Gooderham following the walkout during Ahmadinejad’s speech:
Paxman: What is the difference between Zionism and racism?
Gooderham: Well, we see the two as being quite distinct. We…
Paxman: Yeah what’s the difference?
Gooderham: Zionism is a political movement relating to the establishment …
Paxman: So are some forms of racism!
Gooderham: …some form of homeland, a Jewish homeland in what is now Israel.
Perhaps Paxman was playing Devil’s Advocate in his usual style. However, is it a sign of the broader mindset within the BBC that finds it acceptable to ask questions such as “What is the difference between Zionism and racism?” View the footage and decide for yourself.
