George Galloway Dislikes Israelis

[webbo3]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2013/feb/21/george-galloway-debate-israelis-video

[andy-hughes]

Ynaf - It's a considerable stretch to say that Mr Galloway 'dislikes' something, when the object of his dislike is actually an entity whose existence he claims not to recognise.

If it doesn't exist, he cannot like or dislike it.

[ynnafymmi]

Are you saying the SNP doesnt exist,Andy?

[david small]

He is potentially a dangerous person. He possesses the articulacy to sway those that seek direction, and they are often of malcontent disposition.

[andy-hughes]

Ynaf - Where have you got that from!

I said that Mr Galloway's position is that Israel does not exist.

That's his position. 

It's not mine. 

It does not imply that I think he is right, and there is no mention from him, or me, that anything else does or does not exist.

Taking a stance that an entity 'does not exist' is simply an existential point, in order to underline intense antipathy regarding the entity in question.

Of course Israel exists. 

Mr Galloway is simply underlining his view that he believes it should not exist.

I have offered no view at all, certainly not on the SNP.

Perhaps you should re-read my posts before asking me about something I have not mentioned as having any view about whatever. 

[jackthehat]

In the entirity of his political career, I can only think of one instance when I actually admired anything the man said.

That was when he was asked to appear before American Senators and they quickly wished they hadn't done so.

[jno]

I can't say I like the man but he's entitled to refuse to debate with anyone he doesn't like. He's in office because the major parties have been fomenting culture wars and it's blown up in their faces, so it serves them right.

[andy-hughes]

He is entitled to refuse - but not for the reason he has given. 

His reason is a textbook definition of racism.

[jno]

what was the reason, andy? My hearing's not great and I couldn't make out the words

[fiveleaves]

George Galloway is a dangerous anti-semite who is simply using Rochdale for his own ends. I am genuinely scared for Jews in Britain now

[andy-hughes]

jno - He said, quote, "Are you an Israeli? I don't debate with Israelis .. I was misled." And he walked out.

To refuse to debate with someone purely on the basis of their ethnicity is, in my view, racist.

 

[jno]

"Israeli" is neither a race nor an ethnicity, andy. If he'd said he wouldn't debate with Jews I'd agree with you. But he's got the same right to avoid Israelis as Sunak had to refuse to meet the Greek PM last year

[THECORBYLOON]

JNO, the 2010 Equality Act states that

"Race includes—

(a) colour;

(b) nationality;

(c) ethnic or national origins."

Sunak's refusal to meet the Greek Prime Minister was for political reasons, not because he is Greek.

[jno]

Galloway's choice is also political. If he will speak to Jews but not to Israelis (I have no idea if he would make any such choice), it would be improper to call him a racist, whatever the act says: it's a decision made on the basis of a political objection to the state of Israel.

[andy-hughes]

0k - In order not to chase the debate down a semantic rabbit hole, let me adjust my assessment  - 

Mr Galloway refused to debate with the gentleman speaking in the video, because he is an Israeli,  and to my mind, that is unacceptable prejudice, and the finer points of the whys and wherefores don't alter that view.

Quite why Mr Galloway imagined that the Israeli perspective in a debate about Israel was not going to be offered by someone with a more than passing interest in their position, is something he has not as yet chosen to reveal to the media he is normally irresistibly drawn to engage with. 

[jno]

he said he was misled. My guess is he thought he'd be hearing from someone Jewish but not someone actually from Israel. The debate was in Oxford, after all, not Tel Aviv, so you wouldn't necessarily expect any given speaker to be foreign.

[andy-hughes]

jno - We can't know that without knowing what he was told, which may be as you outlined.

Maybe the Union will offer its version of events, we will have to see.

But I believe my point stands - such blatant and indefensible prejudice, for whatever reason, is unacceptable from a UK MP.

[THECORBYLOON]

ANDY, "Maybe the Union will offer its version of events, we will have to see."

As the debate was in 2013, I doubt they will be saying more than they have already said about it.

[andy-hughes]

Thanks Corby - I was not aware of that.

In a way it's worse, that a man who can evidence such appalling bigotry, can not only be allowed to stand as an MP, but get elected. 

Shame on anyone who voted for him.