SFI Pays Tribute on its Facebook
page to
Gerald Kaufman as only it knows how
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| this is an example of ‘engaging meaningfully with those working towards a peaceful, just, democratic and lasting resolution of the conflict’ |
As the British political world and many
of his friends throughout paid tribute to a great British parliamentarian, Gerald Kaufman, the
Father of the House of Commons, there was one exception. Sussex Friends of Israel. Whereas the world mourned, SFI celebrated in their own unique way – with an orgy of hate and vitriol. Here we see
the true face of our Friends of Israel. Yet people like our local Brighton Councillor Penn still frequent these bigots and racists.
of his friends throughout paid tribute to a great British parliamentarian, Gerald Kaufman, the
Father of the House of Commons, there was one exception. Sussex Friends of Israel. Whereas the world mourned, SFI celebrated in their own unique way – with an orgy of hate and vitriol. Here we see
the true face of our Friends of Israel. Yet people like our local Brighton Councillor Penn still frequent these bigots and racists.
On their About
Section Sussex Friends of Israel says it is ‘dedicated to
developing greater support, awareness and understanding of Israel through
education, communication and community partnership.’ They promise to ‘engage meaningfully
with those working towards a peaceful, just, democratic and lasting resolution
of the conflict between Israel and its neighbours.’ They have a whole section on ‘Respect, Responsibility
and Integrity’ SFI ‘respects
the opinions, knowledge, insight, experience and expertise of all members of
the general public.’
Section Sussex Friends of Israel says it is ‘dedicated to
developing greater support, awareness and understanding of Israel through
education, communication and community partnership.’ They promise to ‘engage meaningfully
with those working towards a peaceful, just, democratic and lasting resolution
of the conflict between Israel and its neighbours.’ They have a whole section on ‘Respect, Responsibility
and Integrity’ SFI ‘respects
the opinions, knowledge, insight, experience and expertise of all members of
the general public.’
It is
heady stuff. We are told that ‘Supporters
should be willing and able to explain the basis of personal ethical
decision-making.’ In particular they
wish to avoid ‘unwelcome verbal, offensive, abusive or physical behavior –
especially when such conduct interferes with another person or creates an intimidating,
hostile or offensive environment..’
heady stuff. We are told that ‘Supporters
should be willing and able to explain the basis of personal ethical
decision-making.’ In particular they
wish to avoid ‘unwelcome verbal, offensive, abusive or physical behavior –
especially when such conduct interferes with another person or creates an intimidating,
hostile or offensive environment..’
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| these comments must be seen in the ‘British eclectic tradition’ |
Clearly a bunch of liberal do-gooders
After
all ‘The underlying philosophical approach in this code is part of the ‘British
eclectic tradition’. Although of course it is difficult to live up to such
principles, SFI ‘seeks to ensure that moral principles and codes function act as
guidelines for thinking about all decisions that need to be made.’ And they
emphasise again that ‘Respect, responsibility and integrity are the collective
responsibility of everyone associating with Sussex Friends of Israel.’
all ‘The underlying philosophical approach in this code is part of the ‘British
eclectic tradition’. Although of course it is difficult to live up to such
principles, SFI ‘seeks to ensure that moral principles and codes function act as
guidelines for thinking about all decisions that need to be made.’ And they
emphasise again that ‘Respect, responsibility and integrity are the collective
responsibility of everyone associating with Sussex Friends of Israel.’
Under ‘Editorial Guidelines’ we are told that ‘SFI is committed to
delivering the highest editorial and ethical standards when disseminating
on-line content across all communications platforms including, but not limited
to, the SFI website, Facebook and Twitter.’ And the Facebook discussion that they had after the sad death of Gerald Kaufman MP was a splendid example of the ‘highest editorial and ethical standards’ SFI set themselves!
delivering the highest editorial and ethical standards when disseminating
on-line content across all communications platforms including, but not limited
to, the SFI website, Facebook and Twitter.’ And the Facebook discussion that they had after the sad death of Gerald Kaufman MP was a splendid example of the ‘highest editorial and ethical standards’ SFI set themselves!
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| An ethical Jew, even if he is a Zionist, which Kaufman was, is anathema for these bigots |
In particular ‘SFI strives to be fair and open-minded, explore a range
of points of view, objective in its approach and even handed in its judgements.’ This latter-day manifesto of universal human rights goes on to say
that ‘SFI respects the fundamental human right to exerise freedom of thought,
conscience and religion. SFI’s duty is to avoid unjustified offense or likely
harm. It seeks to achieve this by providing an on-line forum for constructive
comment – even when opinions become contentious – without denigrating others’
beliefs.’
of points of view, objective in its approach and even handed in its judgements.’ This latter-day manifesto of universal human rights goes on to say
that ‘SFI respects the fundamental human right to exerise freedom of thought,
conscience and religion. SFI’s duty is to avoid unjustified offense or likely
harm. It seeks to achieve this by providing an on-line forum for constructive
comment – even when opinions become contentious – without denigrating others’
beliefs.’
The only question I have to ask is how such delicate flowers would survive in the hot house atmosphere of Israel where racism and intolerance is the norm. One wonders whether their Zionism could even survive a trip to the Promised Land.
‘Without denigrating
others beliefs’ they again emphasise that ‘Respect, responsibility
and integrity are the collective responsibility of everyone associating with
Sussex Friends of Israel.’
others beliefs’ they again emphasise that ‘Respect, responsibility
and integrity are the collective responsibility of everyone associating with
Sussex Friends of Israel.’
 |
| I think readers have to agree that this is such a good example of ‘an on-line forum for constructive comment – even when opinions become contentious – without denigrating others’ beliefs.’ |
One has to confess that any group of people would have difficulty living up to such noble standards. It is true that this manifesto slightly differs from their behaviour outside the Sodastream shop when Shaike (an Israeli) used to shout ‘primitive’ in the face of a Palestinian, still not everyone can follow such codes.
So how you might ask do SFI treat the late and much respected Gerald Kaufman, Father of the House
of Commons, someone who fervently believed in peace and a two states
solution? Well here are a few of the
kind, caring, concerned etc. comments of contributors about Gerald Kaufman: Indeed we are spoilt for choice:
of Commons, someone who fervently believed in peace and a two states
solution? Well here are a few of the
kind, caring, concerned etc. comments of contributors about Gerald Kaufman: Indeed we are spoilt for choice:
 |
| unlike SFI who talk about 2 States, Gerald Kaufman actually meant it hence why he met with Arafat |
And in a similar
spirit of tolerance, once Julian Kruger ‘I’m sorry good
riddance.These Jews are the worst of the worst’. Rob Levy tells us, using a picture of
Yasser Arafat of the PLO and Kaufman that we should ‘Judge a man by the company
he keeps…’. I suspect Rob didn’t mean
that in the sense most of us might understand it.
spirit of tolerance, once Julian Kruger ‘I’m sorry good
riddance.These Jews are the worst of the worst’. Rob Levy tells us, using a picture of
Yasser Arafat of the PLO and Kaufman that we should ‘Judge a man by the company
he keeps…’. I suspect Rob didn’t mean
that in the sense most of us might understand it.
Alex Ian helpfully commented that ‘every
dog has his day’ whilst Sylvia Landman, clearly a woman of few
words and even fewer thoughts could only contribute one word ‘Traitor’. Lizbeth Ruffman informed us that there is ‘Nothing
worse than an anti Semitic Jew.’ Who ‘will
not rest in peace’
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I realise that the anti-Semites who read this post will misinterpret phrases like ‘every dog has his day’ ‘Traitor’ and the bit about Kaufman ‘will not rest in peace’ but they are all well meant |
Peter Inskip was
more profound altogether ‘May he finally find the peace his comments would not
let others find while he lived.’ Whilst ‘Michelle Albagli’ expressed the ‘Hope he is
now where he belongs’ which I suspect doesn’t mean what most of us would hope
it meant. Reuven Magnes could only muster a ‘what a
repulsive man he was’ which was echoed by Leslie Ann Rose who agreed ‘Repulsive …..
a great adjective to describe Kaufman!
For Stephen Packter he was ‘A Jew who brought
legitimacy to being anti Semitic’ whilst Ros Ellis pined that ‘Some days are better
than others. ….’ Philosophical
meanderings at a time of tragedy no
less!
Tony Lynas was angry that ‘The Labour
Council will be splashing the cash on the Muslim voter to buy the vote in the
by-election just like in Oldham’ wherea Rob Levy wondered whether whether ‘we can
anybody find a positive reference to Israel made by Kaufman at any stage in his
life?’ At least Peta Stockton decided to
keep shtum ‘On the basis that you shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, I’ll say
nothing’
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| As you can see Sussex Friends of Israel does its best to live up to its high ideals |
Devorah Rosner Marcus however didn’t agree: ‘I know it’s in poor taste to speak ill of the dead,’ yes Devorah it is, but why waste an
opportunity like this before going on to say that ‘this man stirred up so much
hate and dissension not only within his party but throughout the country, that
I think it’s safe to say that no good hearted, moral conscienced decent human
being will miss this embarrassment of a human being. May g-d have mercy on his
soul.’ For a minute I saw a hanging
judge with that funny cap on pronouncing sentence. Melvyn Wiseglass demonstrated how easy it
is for people to be the exact opposite of their names when he said ‘Good
riddence to this evil evil man who calls himslf Jewish.’ and in the process
demonstrated that spelling wasn’t his penchant.
Daniel Leons-Marder, whilst agreeing that
Kaufman was a thoroughly disreputable type, had to emphasise the question of
race. ‘A Jew you don’t like is still a
Jew.’ Certainly one of the more profound statements to come out of SFI. But Melvyn Wiseglass was having none of
this: ‘True’ he replied ‘but that type
of Jew reminds me of the Jews that helped the nazis to exterminate there fellow
Jews.’ Robert Wolf feels compelled to respond to
this: ‘Melvyn Wiseglass I do not know much about
Kaufman but please do not judge the Kappos , you were not there , they tried to
stay alive , their lives were at risk , Kaufman is far worse , his life was
never in danger , he was just a nothing , a total waste of space .’
The last comment is the most interesting.
He starts off by saying he knows nothing about Kaufman, makes some
sensible comments about the orderlies in the extermination camps (‘kapos’ is
the ritual abuse of non or anti-Zionist Jews) and then ends up saying Kaufman ‘is
far worse… he was just a nothing, a total waste of space’ which is quite rich
since Kaufman achieved far more in a single day than these snakes will manage
in a decade of Sabbaths.
Eddie Goldberg contributed on of the more
meaningful comments: ‘Looked like E.T,
behaved like a Nazi. Glad he lived to see the Donald in power before he died.’ Zionists like The Donald. To
which Irene Michlin had to insist that ‘oh well,
even a nasty Jew is a Jew.’ which again is one of the more thoughtful statements of SFI, not a group exactly overendowed with brain. Before saying a blessing.ילנה מייקפר informed the collective that ‘The
most dangerous are leftwing Jews with money. Traitors.’ Traitors to what he never said. Alon Kazakevitch is made of sterner
stuff. ‘Palestinian grief is my
pleasure. It’s nasty but i have no reason
to have any sympathy for my enemies.’ You can just imagine him in a Black uniform with a swastika or two
protruding.
meaningful comments: ‘Looked like E.T,
behaved like a Nazi. Glad he lived to see the Donald in power before he died.’ Zionists like The Donald. To
which Irene Michlin had to insist that ‘oh well,
even a nasty Jew is a Jew.’ which again is one of the more thoughtful statements of SFI, not a group exactly overendowed with brain. Before saying a blessing.ילנה מייקפר informed the collective that ‘The
most dangerous are leftwing Jews with money. Traitors.’ Traitors to what he never said. Alon Kazakevitch is made of sterner
stuff. ‘Palestinian grief is my
pleasure. It’s nasty but i have no reason
to have any sympathy for my enemies.’ You can just imagine him in a Black uniform with a swastika or two
protruding.
Hamish Mackenzie observed that ‘This
politician could make inflammatory remarks about the sitting govt and visit
Israel and not live in fear of a fatwa’ Sylvia Landman’s tribute was short and
sour: ‘Good riddance to bad rubbish’ whereas for Barry Ziderman there was the dichotomy that
he was a ‘Good Labour politician – Lousy Jew’ Julian Kruger Didn’t beat around the bush ‘I’m
sorry good riddance.These Jews are the worst of the worst’ whereas Maurice Klein was of the opinion that there
was ‘One less kapo germ to worry about’
politician could make inflammatory remarks about the sitting govt and visit
Israel and not live in fear of a fatwa’ Sylvia Landman’s tribute was short and
sour: ‘Good riddance to bad rubbish’ whereas for Barry Ziderman there was the dichotomy that
he was a ‘Good Labour politician – Lousy Jew’ Julian Kruger Didn’t beat around the bush ‘I’m
sorry good riddance.These Jews are the worst of the worst’ whereas Maurice Klein was of the opinion that there
was ‘One less kapo germ to worry about’
But we should be grateful for SFI because when they are talking to themselves and not putting on a PR show for others then they show what a group of small minded, nasty little bigots they are – racists to the core
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| One of SFI’s ethically integrity laced discussions – respect being the key word |
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