PJ Media

Dear Carol,

You write “But there was one boo-boo. Glenn kept repeating over and over his contention that the left are the perpetrators of Israel-hatred and anti-Semitism. This is simply not true.”

Really? The way you write your article one would think Brits in general do nothing else but badmouth Jews and Israel. The left in conjunction with the Islamists PLUS the tunnel visioned mission of SOME of the New Labour politicians not wishing to upset Muslims – all of these factors must be taken into consideration.

You write “Perhaps one has to live outside the United States to understand the complexities of Israel-hatred, but without a shadow of a doubt it does not confine itself to the left.”

Less of the patronising attitude, Carol, if you please.The United States does not have a monopoly on world views, we in the UK also “know what’s what”, and we know very well what is and what definitely isn’t anti-Semitism.

Carol – Lord Heseltine cannot be described as a “doyen” in these times. You’re engaging in the usual knee-jerk rhetoric “they “hate” Israel so they MUST be anti-Semitic” claptrap. To you anybody who is remotely critical of anything Israel does, and has the temerity to say so – is an anti-Semite. This is over-used currency, and has been for a long time. It’s dangerous, too, because it’s being used to stifle free and honest discussion of what is and what isn’t Jew-hatred. I have plenty to say about Israel’s mistakes, the corruption of its government, the chances it’s missed for peace. I really don’t mind who I say it to, either. I am Jewish and I support Israel – so it’s therefore safe to assume that I’m one of those “self-haters”, is it?

Left wing DNA????? What on earth are you talking about? Next you’ll be saying “Brits imbibe Jew hatred with their mothers’ milk”. Wrong. I am a proud Jew who lives among non-Jews. We get on, and can discuss anything. They know I support Israel but it doesn’t stop them telling me what they think, we discuss, debate, and we are still friends. Do you know why? It’s simple – because of me they can see a Zionist Jew who is PREPARED to discuss what is right and what is wrong with Israel, and does not stoop to accusations of “anti-Zionism being anti-Israelism” to stifle debate.

Might I suggest that one of the reasons why Carol finds it almost impossible to find anybody who supports Israel, among her colleagues and friends – is that she herself comes across as an “Israel right or wrong” person. I’m sure she “digs in” with her attitude, waves it like a big banner, almost daring people to disagree with her so she can jump down their throats. Nothing like a bombastic tunnel visioned individual with attitude to make those who’d be prepared to listen to reason jump off the fence and go with the opposition.

It’s not worth going into the influence of the Israel Lobby here. The Lobby does wield influence, saying it doesn’t is like saying there’s no nose on one’s face, and trying to deny the Lobby hasn’t always acted in anybody’s interests but its own is also denying the obvious. It’s not a lie to say, either that the Lobby’s antics have opened the doors for similar Muslim lobbies to copy its behaviour.

Thank God that Carol Gould is one of a dying breed of beings who is happy to cultivate and maintain an anachronistic attitude to how Jews are perceived in the 21st century.

Come and see me here in the UK any time, Carol. I’ll introduce you to my non-Jewish friends and neighbours. Say you support Israel, by all means – they won’t foam at the mouth and go for your jugular, they’ll say what they think. If you behave in your usual inimitable way, and tell them they’re anti-Semitic if they dare disagree with you – you have only yourself to blame if the temperature goes to below zero, and you won’t be invited again. Not because they hate Jews – but because your attitude convinces them it’s not worth talking to a bigot.