We Believe in Israel will include inspirational plenary sessions with top-level speakers, and sessions that will include updates and analysis on the situation in the region, training in skills that can help you in your political activism, and sessions that will allow you to grapple with the complex ethical and philosophical challenges that underpin the Jewish state.

We Believe in Israel is a BICOM event that is supported by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council, the Zionist Federation, the Union of Jewish Students and many others. Fair Play is proud to support the Conference.

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One thing that strengthens Yemini’s point is actually there in Waters’ own announcement. He declares his support for a boycott aimed at:

Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands [occupied since 1967] and dismantling the Wall;

Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and

Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.

Note the section in square brackets above. They look odd, don’t they? Square brackets normally suggest an insertion that’s not in the original text.

This is because Waters is quoting the Palestinian boycott call issued in 2005. That call read:

“1. Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall”

What does “All Arab lands” mean? It’s not clear, but plenty of people would read that to mean all of Israel, and not just the West Bank and Gaza; effectively a call to eliminate Israel. Presumably this is also how Roger Walters read it, or he wouldn’t have felt the need to add his own insertion.

Given this – given that he must know that the boycott movement as a whole is trying to destroy Israel – why is he supporting it at all?

Ben-Dror Yemini’s letter is below.

To Roger Waters, Greetings.

Look Mr. Waters, the Jewish People is already used to blood libels. From using the blood of children for baking Passover matzah, to directing world Communism, to directing world capitalism, to controlling the media, and in the last generation, committing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. A generation passes on and a generation arrives, and the number of blood libels forever exist.

Israel, Mr. Waters, is not exempt from any criticism. We’re the world champions of self-criticism. There isn’t another nation in which, in every field – not just the Israel-Palestinian conflict – there is so much biting, roiling criticism – often false and vicious. But even to this we’ve grown accustomed. Usually we’re proud of our democracy, even when it’s biting. But sometimes, Mr. Waters, we’re fed up. We’ve simply had it. Not from the criticism; it’s essential for every community, every society, every nation, like air to breathe.

We’re fed up with the lies. For most of us – if you can read a little beyond the slogans – were fed up with the occupation. So if that’s your thing you would find lots of partners in Israel – most Israelis. But that’s not the story – not for BDS, of which you’ve become a great supporter, and not for the Hamas in Gaza, which only a year ago you announced your support for those who went there to cheer them – another campaign of useful idiots.

Let’s start with the occupation. Only in the last decade Israel announced its willingness to end it, again, again and again. Completely. This began with the Camp David talks. The Palestinians backed away from a serious discussion. Then Clinton offered his proposal, which would have granted the Palestinians a state on 95% of the territory. They decided to say”no”. Right after that, at the Taba talks all the giants of the the Israeli Left showed up. They went another big step towards the Palestinians, but even that didn’t help. Two years ago another generous offer was made by Prime Minister Olmert. He didn’t even get a reply from Abu Mazen.

Back to the BDS. Listen to the leaders of the campaign. Read their manifesto. They don’t want two states for two peoples. Not the end of the occupation, but the end of Israel. You can hear it in their own voices. Yes, there are Israels among us who support this campaign. That’s how we are. Runaway democracy. Everything goes. So instead of marvelling at our unparalleled democracy, you take advantage of the fact that Israeli democracy allows demonstrations like this, and you go and join the gang that is fighting against the very existence of the national home of the Jewish People. That’s the position of Ahmadinejad, Al Qaida and Hamas. Is that your position? Have you gone crazy?

Are you in the peace camp, Mr. Waters? Here’s a simple test for you. Very simple. Ask your friends in the BDS one question: “Do you support an agreement of two states for two peoples?”

We’ve got news for you: They oppose it. They don’t want a Palestinian state alongside Israel, they want a Palestinian state in place of Israel. That’s what’s written in the manifesto of BDS. Read it, it’s in English. They write in it, “Right of Return”, which, loosely translated means “Destruction of Israel”. To remove any doubt, they have the right of return–to a Palestinian state alongside Israel, not in place of Israel.

You and your ilk, Mr. Waters, are simply prolonging the suffering of the Palestinians. You are encouraging the peace refuseniks among them. You are encouraging their illusions.You are creating a new chapter of the Palestinian disaster. Who knows, if it were not for this support – by so many useful idiots – the Palestinians would have emerged from their position of refusal. But when they see you, and you join up with them, they continue to refuse peace.

So this is an opportunity for you, Mr. Waters, to prove that you’re a humanitarian and human rights activist. It’s not complicated. Tell the Israelis and Palestinians and BDS people one thing: the end of the conflict will come only if the two sides recognize the two-state solution. The side that refuses is the side that must be pressured, even boycotted. Only when you say this simple thing to both sides will you truly be in the peace camp. If you continue to support BDS, you are supporting refusal and the continuation of occupation and suffering.

A reply from you Mr. Waters, will be greatly appreciated.

The following joint reaction to the sacking of Baroness Tonge by Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg was issued by the Jewish Leadership Council and the Board of Deputies of British Jews:

“Baroness Tonge’s support for an investigation into baseless accusations of organ harvesting by the Israeli rescue teams are outrageous and a calumny.

Baroness Tonge has promoted this libel against Israel by utilising historic themes that are classically deployed to attack the Jewish People. She has dishonoured the noble efforts of Israeli soldiers and civilians who engaged in a selfless humanitarian effort to save lives in Haiti.

Whatever her motives, Jenny Tonge’s persistent use of Antisemitic tropes has no place in British politics. Nick Clegg has responded swiftly and correctly. We welcome this. Nevertheless, any further use of antisemitic rhetoric must result in Tonge’s expulsion from the party and loss of the whip.”

Joint Statement from Jewish Leadership Council and Board of Deputies of British Jews

Response to TUC statements on the Middle East

Responding to today’s discussions on the Middle East at the Annual TUC conference, Jeremy Newmark, Chief Executive of the Jewish Leadership Council and Jon Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews [both Fair Play Campaign board members], have issued the following statement:

“We are genuinely saddened that, in passing the FBU motion and adopting elements of the General Council statement, the TUC have damaged their ability to act as an honest broker building bridges between Israelis and Palestinians. The TUC has a noble record as a positive and unifying element in British life and in international relations.  This new policy will only create discord and divisiveness, masking a pro-boycott agenda behind the smokescreen of opposition to settlements.

The TUC has committed to supporting a two-state solution. They have asked unions to fund joint Histadrut/PGFTU projects. These constructive positions are totally incompatible with the decision to work closely with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, an organisation whose own logo wipes Israel off the map.

The Jewish community has many friends in the heart of the Trade Union movement, some of whom fought for a more balanced position. We are grateful to them. However, we made it clear to TUC leaders before their conference that a ‘deal’ which retained the language of boycotts would not address our concerns.

The fact that within moments of this statement was released conference delegates voted for a another extreme hardline pro-boycott motion proposed by the FBU is evidence that our concerns are well placed, and that TUC leaders must act against the harmful influence of the PSC within their unions. We insist that TUC leaders immediately clarify that this motion does not stand as TUC policy.

Israel’s strong, independent trade union movement works closely with the Palestinian trade unions to protect the rights of all workers.  It is particularly ironic that implementation of the TUC’s policy will harm the employment of many of those Palestinians.

Our communal leaders will respond robustly to this policy, which risks driving a wedge between British Jews and the Trade Union movement. Our response will be threefold:

• Firstly, we will be asking the TUC leadership to act swiftly and decisively to reassert their opposition to a boycott of Israel, and advise their member unions accordingly. We expect the General Council’s statement to be used as a licence to boycott by anti-Israel activists.

• Secondly, we will actively expose the discriminatory politics of the PSC, in order to frustrate their hijacking of Trade Unions to promote their anti-Israel and anti-peace agenda.

• Thirdly, we will be encouraging members of our own community to fight back, by getting involved in Trade Unions and speaking out.”

The piece opens with a criticism of the ‘apartheid’ analogy as applied to Israel:

For some, the apartheid accusation is the way to destroy Israel. If Israel can be linked with apartheid then it can be denounced as illegitimate as was white-ruled South Africa and hence be wide open to international sanctions.

Those who pursue this couldn’t care less about facts. They have an agenda and are unscrupulous about distortion, lying and exaggeration. Their ultimate purpose is exposed by how they answer a basic question: whether or not they accept the fact of Israel’s existence.

And it ends with what supporters of peace should be doing instead of calling for boycotts:

In the case of Israel, resorting to mass boycotts is an admission of failure. It’s a cathartic response to despair and floundering. Israelis have turned their backs on Gordon so he blindly lashes out.

Yet there is an alternative. It’s old-fashioned: educate and persuade. There is already a head start: opinion polls consistently show a majority of Israelis – and Palestinians too – accept a two-state solution as the means to peace. That must be built on: convince Israelis that they are not going to be murdered and thrown into the sea, and that their children – not only Gordon’s two sons – can look forward to a secure future. Convince them that the world – or at least much of it – does not view them as more evil than any other people but wishes them well. Encourage and help maximum contact and co-operation between Israelis and Palestinians.

It’s often boring, tedious work, with results that are not always immediately apparent. But it’s an affirmation of hope about what can be achieved.

Pogrund’s piece is a masterful and compelling argument against boycotts and in favour of engagement. We really have nothing to add. Read it all.

To coincide with the beginning of the Festival, several film industry figures have come together to support the Israeli filmmakers and criticise the Festival organisers. Their letter is below:

Sir, The Edinburgh International Film Festival has always been a highlight of the British creative calendar. This year, with so many people talking about a new golden age of British cinema, there is even greater excitement around the festival.

Film is a powerful medium that, properly used, can bring people together and create understanding; at its best it can break down barriers and challenge the most entrenched of opinions. Film- makers have often shown courage and insight, and have given voices and an audience to those who need it most. Notable examples include a number of recent Arab, Palestinian and indeed Israeli productions that deal with various aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These include Free Zone in 2005, Paradise Now by Hani Abu Asad also in 2005, Lemon Tree in 2007 and Waltz with Bashir in 2008. It will surprise many to know that these films were all enabled by grants from the Israeli Government’s Film Fund.

For all of us who wholeheartedly support a two-state solution and moves towards peace in the Middle East for Israelis and Palestinians alike, this example of a government funding art that challenges and examines difficult issues within its own society is deemed admirable.

Given the record of the Israeli Film Fund, we were, therefore, surprised by the ill-judged action of the festival’s organisers – who, at the instigation of Ken Loach, an unquestionably distinguished director, returned a grant made to the festival by the Israeli Embassy to enable an Israeli director to participate. Mr Loach has been a longstanding supporter of boycotting Israel. Yet, if you look at the record of the Israeli Film Fund, it surely proves the value of an uncensored voice in a democratic society.

We are pleased that Tali Shalom Ezer will be able to attend the Edinburgh Festival after all, and that the organising committee has acknowledged its mistake in stating that Mr Loach spoke on behalf of the film community (which clearly he did not). Divisive cultural boycotts like this make loud statements but help no one.

Mark Batey – Film Distributors Association
Josh Berger – Warner Brothers UK
Neil Blair – the Christopher Little Literary Agency
Simon Chinn – Red Box Films
John Heyman – World Films
Nicholas Hytner – National Theatre
Michael Kuhn
Andrew Orr – Independent film Company
Peter Rhodes OBE
Rick Senat
Gary Sinyor
Janet Suzman
David Tyler – Pozzitive Television

“I have admired the Edinburgh International Film Festival for many years and would like to think that this appalling decision will be rescinded.”

Lord Janner said

“By banning the Israeli Embassy from supporting a film-maker the festival is helping to exclude Israelis from British cultural life, something that is clearly unfair.”

In one piece of good news, though, the Festival has agreed to pay Tali Shalom Ezer’s travel costs out of its own pocket. This is something we called on them to do. Ironically, therefore, Ken Loach’s protest means that rather than the Israeli embassy, the Edinburgh International Film Festival is now directly supporting Israeli culture.

Finally, on the 19th of May, the Scotsman‘s Leader condemned the EIFF and Ken Loach. As it does not appear on the Scotsman website, we reproduce it below:

IT IS a sad day for artistic freedom when the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) responds to threats of a political boycott and possible disruption by sending back a 000 donation from the Israeli Embassy.

Next month, EIFF had planned to show a short film by a graduate of Tel Aviv University. The movie, Surrogate, is about a female sex therapist. The grant was to help pay for the director to come to Edinburgh.

But that was before the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign threatened to picket screenings and persuaded the noted left-wing film-maker, Ken Loach, to call for a total boycott of EIFF. Despite the Israeli film having nothing to do with politics, the Festival’s organnisers gave into the blackmail. They have issued a fatuous statement defending the decision; “Although the Festival is considered wholly cultural and a-political, we … accept that [Mr Loach] speaks on behalf of the film community …”

But Ken Loach does not speak on behalf of the entire film community. He speaks only for himself. EIFF cannot accept public money from Scottish Screen and Edinburgh Council yet play political games. Ken Leach has 3 new film, Looking For Eric (with a cameo by Eric Cantona) in the running for the prestigious Palrne d’Or at Cannes. There are four Israeli films being shown at the festival, including Ajami, which is co-directed by an Israeli and a Palestinian. Curiously, Mr Loach is not proposing a boycott of Cannes

• Jerusalem Post
• Jewish Telegraphic Association