Words have consequences. This phrase, or versions of it, has been around for a long time, and is apposite to Israel's current military actions in Gaza. The word 'genocide' courses through writing and discussion, and a UN Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Israel has committed genocide. In return Israel has furiously rejected the claim.
This piece is inspired by a Times article written by journalist Deborah Ross, 'How to be an antisemite (don't worry, it's easy)'. So that my effort is a little more than reporting her own insights, I am adding a few thoughts of my own, through some knowledge of the Jewish community.
It is fun watching right of centre political commentators settling into five years of bitching against the Labour government's policies. Charles Moore had spotted the 'leather-lined wellington boots' worn by Steve Reed, the new Defra Secretary, who is piloting legislation to ban trail hunting.
Lord Moore is not amused at the Government's decision, but takes comfort from noting that the boot brand is 'Chasseur'. Moore interprets this in terms of the hunting lobby doing the chase; I fear that in truth it is Moore's clan that is being pursued. Tally Ho...
So many have a view, with varying degrees of knowledge of the Middle East. The mainstream media are challenged over their objectivity in reporting.
Natasha Boon and her colleagues run a flower stall close to Kentish Town Station. The last few months have not been easy for them: the tube station has been closed for escalator replacement, and by the time it re-opens in (cross fingers) September we will have been tubeless for a year. Their trade has suffered accordingly.
The Wiener Holocaust Library. Founded by Dr Alfred Wiener in 1933, it is described in its Home website section as '...one of the world's leading and most extensive archives on the Holocaust and Nazi era'. Today its research, teaching and advocacy work extend beyond the Holocaust to other acts of genocide, a piquant irony in view of the anger launched at Israel over its response to the Hamas terrorist attack of 7th October.
I love the eccentrics of Kentish Town: as examples, two old boys on the pavement consulting a tattered A-Z (none of that phone rubbish), and then a woman outside a supermarket advising entrants that all will be well. I hope she is right.
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You have to feel sorry for James Cleverly. He was apparently gutted to be moved from the Foreign Office, with ita extensive travel. In his new role all he has had so far is a day trip to Rwanda...
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And (see last month) we now know that Robert Jenrick is a true Suella headbanger.
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A sixth former Tok Tok user has shared a view on Israel/Gaza from another Tik Tok user of similar age. For me it offers a valuable insight. The other user wrote:
Values. Everyone has got them. According to Suella Braverman, there are British values. Nigel Farage had his account closed at Coutts because apparently certain of his views were incompatible with the Bank's values. Lloyds Banking Group's website says its values are 'People-first; Bold; Inclusive; Sustainable; Trust (yes, the grammar is flaky).
First of all, I declare an abhorrence of antisemitism, my feeling on which you will get through my recent autobiographical piece Writing on Israel?