There is no Israeli Lobby

This letter appeared in The Times on Friday.

Offensive words
Sir, We condemn the comments made by Baroness Tonge in a meeting at the Liberal Democrat Party conference on Wednesday.

Baroness Tonge evoked a classic anti-Jewish conspiracy theory when she said: “The pro-Israel lobby has got its grips on the Western world, its financial grips. I think they have probably got a certain grip on our party.” In addition, she repeated her past comments of sympathy for suicide bombers living in the Palestinian territories.

Two weeks ago the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Anti-Semitism reported a disturbing rise in anti-Semitic incidents and discourse in the UK. Baroness Tonge’s remarks demonstrate the reasoning behind the report’s concerns about the creeping acceptance of anti-Jewish prejudice within mainstream politics and media. The report warned that anti-Israel discourse evolves all too quickly into anti-Semitic rhetoric. We believe that the language deployed by Baroness Tonge, as a member of the House of Lords, was irresponsible and inappropriate.(LP She was speaking at a ‘Palestine: let there be justice’ fringe meeting at the Liberal Democratic Party Conference)

Everyone has the right to disagree with all or some of the policies of the Israeli Government, as do some of the signatories of this letter. That should be a mature debate, in considered, robust and responsible political language. It should not be done by purveying myths, or by deploying offensive language.

LORD CAREY OF CLIFTON
LORD CARLILE OF BERRIEW (LD)
LORD FEARN (LD)
LORD JACOBS (LD)
BARONESS LUDFORD, MEP (LD)
LORD ARCHER OF SANDWELL (Lab)
LORD CLARK OF WINDERMERE (Lab)
BARONESS DEECH (Crossbench)
LORD FOULKES OF CUMNOCK (Lab)
LORD HARRISON (Lab)
LORD HASKEL (Lab)
LORD HOGG OF CUMBERNAULD (Lab)
LORD JANNER OF BRAUNSTONE (Lab)
LORD KALMS (C); BARONESS MILLER OF HENDON (C)
LORD MITCHELL (Lab)
BARONESS O’CATHAIN (C)
BARONESS RAMSAY OF CARTVALE (Lab)
LORD STERLING OF PLAISTOW (C)
LORD TAYLOR OF HOLBEACH (C)
LORD STEINBERG (C)
LORD TURNBERG (Lab)
LORD WEDDERBURN OF CHARLTON (Lab)
LORD YOUNG OF NORWOOD GREEN (Lab)

Readers may remember that in January 2004 Jenny Tonge, then Lib Dem MP for Richmond Jenny Tonge was asked by Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy to quit his front bench as children's spokeswoman following her remarks about Palestinian suicide bombers.

The drunkard said: "Her recent remarks about suicide bombers are completely unacceptable."

Israel's ambassador Zvi Shtauber at the time told BBC News 24 he welcomed the news of her sacking.

"I understand it's a matter of free speech, but I expect her to express some sympathy for the victims of suicide bombers and not confining herself to confessing understanding for suicide bombers," he said.

"I can tell you one thing," added Dr Shtauber, "We must stand up against such remarks, which are an incitement against the state of Israel and against Jews."

The Lib Dem Conference this week passed a motion condemning Israel for using "disproportionate" force in Lebanon. The Lib Dem Friends of Israel (Prop. Gavin Stoller) decided in the interests of liberal Free speech to close down their stand in the conference exhibition hall.

One wonders what their response would have been to Sulayman Munir of Amicus telling the TUC a week earlier that "Israel is an apartheid state. It treats Palestinians like second class citizens."

There was news also that the new Israeli Ambassador Zvi Heifetz, declined an invitation to the conference after discovering Sir Menzies Campbell had written a letter to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Lib-Dem party calling for an arms embargo against Israel.

Totally Jewish.com reported the following comments....

Board of Deputies Chief Executive Jon Benjamin : “We’re concerned by the words about the ‘pro-Israel lobby’, about the control of finance and the media. Her comments could almost have been a textbook example of the discourse the Parliamentary Inquiry into Anti-Semitism seized upon as giving rise to ill-feeling against Jews.”

Jeremy Newmark, Chief Executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, added: “Conspiracy theories of this nature provide a breeding ground for the politics of hatred. The Liberal Democrat leadership must take action.”

Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel Chairman Monroe Palmer said he had complained to the party’s leadership. He added: “The use of ‘pro-Israel lobby’ is a synonym of ‘Jew’. I thought this attitude went out with the exposure of the tsarist forgery, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.”

LDFriends of Israel spokesman Gavin Stollar said Tonge’s “position needs to be seriously reviewed”.

Jonny Lipczer, Director of Mizrachi, the religious Zionist organisation, said: “Jenny Tonge’s latest anti-Zionist outburst, coupled with comments made by her Liberal Democrat colleagues, makes me question why any Jew would want to vote for her party.”

Those interested in Mr Johnny Lipczer's politics might like to go to this BBC page where he (who evidently enjoys the limelight) and read what his political views are...."Jonny Lipczer, from Edgware, said: "I'm a Cameron voter."



Some readers may also recall Chris Davies MEP, who was also at the meeting at which Jenny Tonge spoke, was stripped of the leadership of the Liberal Democrats in Europe after he told a Jewish News reader that he would expose ‘Jewish influence over Western governments’.