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Britain Is a Hotbed of Anti-Israeli Sentiment

[Telegraph-UK ] Israeli Ambassador to Britain Ron Prosor - Throughout its modern history, Britain has prided itself on its liberal society, which cherishes human rights and values civil liberties. That pride was well-founded when Britain stood alone in Europe facing the dark forces of the Third Reich. Since returning to these shores as Israel's ambassador last November, however, I have been dismayed to find that, as far as Israel is concerned, these values are under threat. Israel faces an intensified campaign of delegitimization, demonization and double standards. Britain has become a hotbed for radical anti-Israeli views and a haven for disingenuous calls for a "one-state solution," a euphemistic name for a movement advocating Israel's destruction. Those who propagate this notion distort Israel's past while categorically denying Israel's right to exist as a liberal Jewish-democratic state. No other country in the world is constantly forced to justify its own existence. The concept of an academic boycott is a ludicrous oxymoron, undermining the democratic principles of free speech and free debate. Academics who are supposedly society's guardians of knowledge, objectivity, and informed debate have seen their union held hostage by radical factions, armed with political agendas and personal interests. British academia has built its reputation on freedom of expression and the pluralistic exchange of ideas. Alarmingly, these values are under threat in an institution that should be safeguarding them. I implore the British public to prevent the radical fringe from monopolizing British-Israeli discourse. It is vital that British values of fair play and even-handedness are brought to the debate. The time has come for the silent majority to speak up and say "yes"; yes to context, yes to democracy, and yes to an understanding of the challenges Israel faces as a democracy under fire.
2008-06-10 01:00:00
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