Should Israel be banned from Rugby

[J Dory]

Rowan and Cashead sitting up a tree, k...i...s...s...i...n...g.

[morepork]

Dyslexics......that is NOT fisting.

[rowan]

[WaspInWales]

Considering the serious of the scandal, I'm extremely surprised it hasn't been given more airtime or column inches.

It's done and dusted...can't even find the story on the beeb. I'm sure I could find a link to it from Google or somewhere else but it's not on the main BBC page, UK page, middle east or politics pages.

We've had months of non-stop headlines on Russia allegedly manipulating democracy and here's Israel caught red handed trying to fwck with our political system for their gain and not a peep.

Fucking disgraceful.

[rowan]

[Digby]

Considering the serious of the scandal, I'm extremely surprised it hasn't been given more airtime or column inches.

It's done and dusted...can't even find the story on the beeb. I'm sure I could find a link to it from Google or somewhere else but it's not on the main BBC page, UK page, middle east or politics pages.

We've had months of non-stop headlines on Russia allegedly manipulating democracy and here's Israel caught red handed trying to fwck with our political system for their gain and not a peep.

Fucking disgraceful.

Two issues with the link, one it's facebook which granted I might only look at once or twice a year but does seem to be full of drivel, and then George Galloway, which means it'll not only be drivel but vile drivel, there's sputem to be engaged with before thinking of listening to a man who being kind is an appalling waste of oxygen.

[rowan]

But all you have done is question the sources - ie attacked the messenger. You haven't dealt with any of the content. At the end of the day, what weight do some dude's comments on a message board hold

[Sandydragon]

Considering the serious of the scandal, I'm extremely surprised it hasn't been given more airtime or column inches.

It's done and dusted...can't even find the story on the beeb. I'm sure I could find a link to it from Google or somewhere else but it's not on the main BBC page, UK page, middle east or politics pages.

We've had months of non-stop headlines on Russia allegedly manipulating democracy and here's Israel caught red handed trying to fwck with our political system for their gain and not a peep.

Fucking disgraceful.

Precisely what is the scandal? An Israeli diplomat is caught talking shyte. He is sacked by the Israeli Foreign Service who apologise for one of their staff being a cretin. Do actual agents of the intelligence services go around blabbing to people they hardly know, or are they just a bit more secretive? This is of course embarrassing for the Israelis and people like Galloway will spin this into a huge conspiracy because most of their conspiracies involve Israel anyway. Ive heard plenty of ambitious but not too bright people gob off at social events, usually overplaying their importance. The difference here is that someone recorded it; this isn't proof of Israeli government policy.

There are a number of stories in the Guardian over this, including how Shai Masot was involved in setting up political groups in the UK. However, there is nothing inherently unlawful in that - there re plenty of pressure groups funding by all sorts of organisations. To compare this to an unlawful hack of a political party is pushing it.

[Sandydragon]

But all you have done is question the sources - ie attacked the messenger. You haven't dealt with any of the content. At the end of the day, what weight do some dude's comments on a message board hold

Ive just listened to it. Its Galloways opinion on the news that we have all read, one Israeli embassy official making unguarded comments over a few beers to people he thought he knew. I take Galloways opinion with a huge pinch of salt for the simple reason that he has form in this area and will jump on any bandwagon that involves slating Israel. I note that he talks about Israel subverting the British democratic process. This is an example of him pushing the limit of the evidence given that there is no evidence of any Israeli plot to undermine ministers. Its one bloke shooting his mouth off.

[rowan]

& of course your view would be the same had it been a Russian political officer ...

[WaspInWales]

Considering the serious of the scandal, I'm extremely surprised it hasn't been given more airtime or column inches.

It's done and dusted...can't even find the story on the beeb. I'm sure I could find a link to it from Google or somewhere else but it's not on the main BBC page, UK page, middle east or politics pages.

We've had months of non-stop headlines on Russia allegedly manipulating democracy and here's Israel caught red handed trying to fwck with our political system for their gain and not a peep.

Fucking disgraceful.

Precisely what is the scandal? An Israeli diplomat is caught talking shyte. He is sacked by the Israeli Foreign Service who apologise for one of their staff being a cretin. Do actual agents of the intelligence services go around blabbing to people they hardly know, or are they just a bit more secretive? This is of course embarrassing for the Israelis and people like Galloway will spin this into a huge conspiracy because most of their conspiracies involve Israel anyway. Ive heard plenty of ambitious but not too bright people gob off at social events, usually overplaying their importance. The difference here is that someone recorded it; this isn't proof of Israeli government policy.

There are a number of stories in the Guardian over this, including how Shai Masot was involved in setting up political groups in the UK. However, there is nothing inherently unlawful in that - there re plenty of pressure groups funding by all sorts of organisations. To compare this to an unlawful hack of a political party is pushing it.

Have to disagree with you there Sandy. I think it's a huge scandal and one that warrants further investigation.

Here we have a senior political officer of the Israeli embassy in London, an aide to the Israeli ambassador, plotting to remove British politicians that are considered 'hostile' to Israel.

Of course it's embarrassing for Israel and it's no surprise they apologised but I don't get why the matter is closed?!

Comparing this to the Democrat hacking claims is completely reasonable to me. It's on a different scale, but the intention appears to be the same. The US have claimed that Russia organised and carried out the hacks which has caused uproar in the western world..albeit without actually offering any real evidence linking the hacking to the Russian government. If the claims about Russia are true, it's an attack on another nation's democracy.

The Israeli official wanted to remove British politicians from government and we're supposed to just believe Regev's lame apology and claims that it isn't the view of the embassy and his government. Ludicrous.

[Digby]

Precisely what is the scandal? An Israeli diplomat is caught talking shyte. He is sacked by the Israeli Foreign Service who apologise for one of their staff being a cretin. Do actual agents of the intelligence services go around blabbing to people they hardly know, or are they just a bit more secretive? This is of course embarrassing for the Israelis and people like Galloway will spin this into a huge conspiracy because most of their conspiracies involve Israel anyway. Ive heard plenty of ambitious but not too bright people gob off at social events, usually overplaying their importance. The difference here is that someone recorded it; this isn't proof of Israeli government policy.

There are a number of stories in the Guardian over this, including how Shai Masot was involved in setting up political groups in the UK. However, there is nothing inherently unlawful in that - there re plenty of pressure groups funding by all sorts of organisations. To compare this to an unlawful hack of a political party is pushing it.

I hadn't realised that was all he was talking about, really it's a nothing story. We can quite easily do as we please in this area whether there's pressure from Israel or not, just as they too can do as they wish, as we see with the massive unlawful building of settlements no matter the pressure from others.

I'm not sure this is especially useful or insightful journalism either, we already knew Israel has a problem with other than unconditional support of their policies, and they're not going to get that from us. But broadly we muddle on as there isn't a sensible alternative.

[rowan]

Considering the serious of the scandal, I'm extremely surprised it hasn't been given more airtime or column inches.

It's done and dusted...can't even find the story on the beeb. I'm sure I could find a link to it from Google or somewhere else but it's not on the main BBC page, UK page, middle east or politics pages.

We've had months of non-stop headlines on Russia allegedly manipulating democracy and here's Israel caught red handed trying to fwck with our political system for their gain and not a peep.

Fucking disgraceful.

Precisely what is the scandal? An Israeli diplomat is caught talking shyte. He is sacked by the Israeli Foreign Service who apologise for one of their staff being a cretin. Do actual agents of the intelligence services go around blabbing to people they hardly know, or are they just a bit more secretive? This is of course embarrassing for the Israelis and people like Galloway will spin this into a huge conspiracy because most of their conspiracies involve Israel anyway. Ive heard plenty of ambitious but not too bright people gob off at social events, usually overplaying their importance. The difference here is that someone recorded it; this isn't proof of Israeli government policy.

There are a number of stories in the Guardian over this, including how Shai Masot was involved in setting up political groups in the UK. However, there is nothing inherently unlawful in that - there re plenty of pressure groups funding by all sorts of organisations. To compare this to an unlawful hack of a political party is pushing it.

Have to disagree with you there Sandy. I think it's a huge scandal and one that warrants further investigation.

Here we have a senior political officer of the Israeli embassy in London, an aide to the Israeli ambassador, plotting to remove British politicians that are considered 'hostile' to Israel.

Of course it's embarrassing for Israel and it's no surprise they apologised but I don't get why the matter is closed?!

Comparing this to the Democrat hacking claims is completely reasonable to me. It's on a different scale, but the intention appears to be the same. The US have claimed that Russia organised and carried out the hacks which has caused uproar in the western world..albeit without actually offering any real evidence linking the hacking to the Russian government. If the claims about Russia are true, it's an attack on another nation's democracy.

The Israeli official wanted to remove British politicians from government and we're supposed to just believe Regev's lame apology and claims that it isn't the view of the embassy and his government. Ludicrous.

Precisely. If this is a storm in a tea cup, then so are the hacking claims. The only difference is, the Israeli was caught red handed, so there's no question it happened.

[rowan]

Not such a minor issue, it appears. More likely just the tip of the iceberg:

Israel is attempting to smear activists who question the illegal occupation of Palestinian land by helping to build racism cases against them, an investigation by Al Jazeera's Investigative Unit reveals.

The investigation, "The Lobby" , also uncovers Israel's extensive, well-financed propaganda campaign in the UK to counter negative news stories about its policies and to fund trips to Israel for young activists.

As part of a six-month investigation, Robin (alias), an undercover reporter, infiltrated a lobby of politicians, activists and Israeli embassy officials working to drum up support for Israel.

Many enjoyed financial or strategic support from the Israeli embassy in London via Shai Masot, a senior policial officer at the embassy.

During the investigation, Michael Rubin, a young Labour and pro-Israel activist, told Robin that he worked "with the ambassador and embassy quite a lot".

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/u ... 56872.html

[rowan]

[rowan]

Welcome to hell

[rowan]

[rowan]

The director of the Jewish Labour Movement has been caught on camera expressing a wish for violent revenge against her enemies.

“I saw Jackie Walker on Saturday and thought, you know what, I could take her, she’s like 5’2 and tiny,” Ella Rose unwittingly told an undercover reporter working for Al Jazeera in September.

“That’s why I can take Jackie Walker. Krav Maga training,” she said, referring to the Israeli army hand-to-hand fighting technique. “Yeah. I’m not bad at it. If it came to it I would win, that’s all I really care about.”

Her comments can be seen in episode two of Al Jazeera’s film The Lobby which was broadcast on Thursday evening and can be watched above.

Walker is a long-time anti-Zionist Jewish activist in the UK’s main opposition Labour Party.

https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/al ... ls-critics

[rowan]

Masters of propaganda...

The BBC has admitted to producing a misleading map of Israel in which Jerusalem is included, the occupied West Bank is annexed to Jordan and Gaza no longer exists.

The map was produced as a graphic for an episode of BBC Two’s Hairy Bikers cookery series entitled “Chicken and Egg,” broadcast at the end of last year.

In the episode, the motorcycling cooks visit Israel and Jerusalem – though the status of the eastern part of the city as occupied territory is not acknowledged – to learn about local chicken and egg dishes. These are all referred to as “Israeli,” even though they include platters which are clearly Arab and North African in origin, including shawarma, shakshuka and couscous.

The map was spotted and challenged by viewer Elizabeth Morley, who then spent the next three months trying to force the BBC into an admission.

In the map, used at the beginning of the episode to illustrate where the two bikers went, the West Bank is incorporated into Jordan, while Gaza has become part of Israel.

https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/am ... partiality

[canta_brian]

Masters of propaganda...

The BBC has admitted to producing a misleading map of Israel in which Jerusalem is included, the occupied West Bank is annexed to Jordan and Gaza no longer exists.

The map was produced as a graphic for an episode of BBC Two’s Hairy Bikers cookery series entitled “Chicken and Egg,” broadcast at the end of last year.

In the episode, the motorcycling cooks visit Israel and Jerusalem – though the status of the eastern part of the city as occupied territory is not acknowledged – to learn about local chicken and egg dishes. These are all referred to as “Israeli,” even though they include platters which are clearly Arab and North African in origin, including shawarma, shakshuka and couscous.

The map was spotted and challenged by viewer Elizabeth Morley, who then spent the next three months trying to force the BBC into an admission.

In the map, used at the beginning of the episode to illustrate where the two bikers went, the West Bank is incorporated into Jordan, while Gaza has become part of Israel.

https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/am ... partiality

Has there ever been a greater evil? Especially as they were talking about eggs. Eggs have shells. They were probably British and American shells..

[Sandydragon]

I'm not entirely convinced that a mistake in an episode of the hairy bikers will warp too many people's understanding of the events in the region.

On the other hand m if they had screwed up a baklava.....

[Digby]

I caught the fag end of one of these Hairy Biker shows on chickens last night, they were in France, and I can't say I noticed any maps as I wasn't much looking at the screen as I was making some crab cakes, but they did discuss the chicken and I've no clear recollection they mentioned the chicken was an Asian thing, just horrific to convey it in fashion some may think it European. Also they never mentioned on this cooking show about chicken and egg recipes in France that the House of Lancaster once ruled over France and thusly the territory was disputed, again just horrific, even the more recent occupation and rule by Germany was overlooked and the whole was simply passed off through ignorance as a France by, of and for the French.

[rowan]

Good story from the Huffington Post:

Why I Applaud The NFL Players Who Spoke Out Against Israel

They wouldn’t have spoken to a mother whose fourteen-year-old child was arrested in the middle of the night, or the daughter who watched her father get shot by Israeli police because he looked “suspicious.” They wouldn’t have witnessed how Palestinians are prohibited from walking on the same side of the street as Israeli settlers in Hebron, or the wired nets that line the storefronts to prevent settlers from throwing trash on Palestinians as they walk past.

They wouldn’t have spoken to the children in the refugee camp who were evicted from their homes which they watched bulldozers destroy to make way for new Jewish-only settlements. They wouldn’t have spoken to the farmers who stand in the back of trucks for hours waiting to pass through checkpoints, or the women who have been forced to give birth at checkpoints while trying to receive medical assistance. They wouldn’t have spoken to the Eritrean and Sudanese refugees who have been held in Israeli detainment camps. And they wouldn’t have spoken to the Afro Palestinians who have long standing roots in the region and deep cultural and emotional ties Black Americans. In short, they wouldn’t have seen anything close to the whole truth.

Shortly before their announcements to pull out of the trip, an open letter was released asking the NFL players to consider withdrawing from the delegation. The letter included signatures from renowned musicians, artists and social justice advocates, including Harry Belafonte, Danny Glover, Angela Davis, Alice Walker, and John Carlos, known for the iconic moment when he raised his fist in the air in a Black power salute during the 1968 Olympic medal ceremony. Urging players to consider the political ramifications of attending the trip, the letter drew on the undeniable connections between the struggles faced by Black and Brown communities in the U.S., and Palestinian, Afro Palestinian, Eritrean and Sudanese communities in Israel and Palestine.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/app ... d17d278dbc

[rowan]

Farcical

A young Israeli soldier convicted of killing a Palestinian assailant lying wounded on the ground was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment on Tuesday, far less than prosecutors requested, in one of the most divisive cases in Israel's history.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-israe ... SKBN16013W

[rowan]

Sweet Jeezuz!



Pretty sure the Jews themselves don't believe in the Bible - not the new testament anyway...