Well at long last someone from the left has spoken out against the rising Anti-Semitism which hides amongst our ranks under the ostensibly laudable banner of anti-Sharonism.
I'm not going to quote the article because Melanie Phillips has produced such a fantastic piece of work that it really must be read in its entirety.
Actually whilst I was with my Aunty Jilly, whom I love dearly she said something which struck me rather hard. She complained that the dates (the dried fruit variety) she was enjoying were Israeli, and that she sadly couldn't find any good ones from other countries.
It's shocking to see such an ardent dislike of Israel from one side of the family and contrast it with my Nonno's (Italian grandfather) opinion. He was a big man on the Middle East diplomatic scene at the most important time of the last century. Ambassador to Damascus for Italy, he also represented US interests in the region and proudly displays a certificate of thanks from the US Government in his study. He remains a highly respected voice on Middle Eastern policy and is fiercely pro-Israel, just as I am (although I reserve some dislike of Sharon's policies whereas he's very right wing).
"What those people did... They built a country on their own in just a few years."He would say.
He was there for the 6 Day war, and he is one of the few people I've met who actually understands what Sharon is: A democratic country's answer to Terrorism. I have a great deal of respect for the man, it seems utterly ironic that one of the big hitters in Middle Eastern politics now lives on a pitiful Italian civil service pension.
I paid the Holding Deposit on a flat on Tuesday so that ought to be mine as soon as I've found a nominal guarantor (what with being a student and all the Landlord understandably fears me being unable to stump up the rent).
I've been listening to Elbow: Cast of Thousands lately. It's a bloody good CD which I've received courtesy of my sister. Damn her impeccable Indie taste!
'Ecto', the blogging application I use (previously 'Kung Log') is payware now so I'll have to wait till I have some money in the bank to afford it. I can't deny that it's worth the money (£10).
Later
John
Posted by John Swaine at February 22, 2004 05:27 AM