Michael Portillo shows, once again the reason why he's one of the few people who 'gets it'.
The Israelis have a grim advantage over the rest of us. Their enemies leave no doubt that their objective is to destroy Israel. Without that clarity it would be difficult for a democracy to take the measures needed to win. Similarly, Americans after September 11 believed that Al-Qaeda's mission was to harm the United States in every conceivable way. Popular revulsion enabled the administration to implement some unusual restrictions, such as the detention without trial of fighters captured in Afghanistan.
Europeans are not so convinced that the terrorist threat is mortal. Tony Blair's decision to deploy troops to Heathrow aroused cynicism. Many were writing before the Madrid bombings that he was exaggerating the danger.
Ironic isn't it, that the only Conservatives who I'd vote for either turned out to be a complete joke (Chris Patten) or retired as Mr. Portillo has.
Read his article "Our victory over terror starts with a strong, secure Israel " if you get the chance, you shan't regret it.
Posted by John Swaine at April 25, 2004 02:42 PM