by Peter Martino, STONEGATE INSTITUTE
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“We gave the Palestinians money to help the poor, but they spend it on hate education.” — Andrew Percy, M.P.
It does not often happen that a cabinet minister loses his temper and starts scolding a parliamentarian of his own party. Last week, however, William Hague, the normally even-tempered British Foreign Secretary and one of the most influential politicians of the governing Conservative Party, lost his cool in a heated discussion with thirty MPs belonging to the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI). The MPs accused Haig of being part of a “bigoted” Foreign Office plot against Israel.
“The Foreign Office is not pro-Palestinian. I’ve never heard such claptrap,” an angry Haig snapped at Douglas Carswell MP when the latter told Haig that he is “under the thumb” of “pro-Arabist” diplomats in the Foreign Office. “The Foreign Office displays a kind of bigotry towards Israel,” Carswell said. “The whole idea of self-determination in the Middle East is anathema to some Foreign Office people. It is anti-Israel just as it is pro-EU.”
Haig reacted by calling Carswell a “fantasist” who is “talking total nonsense.” Carswell, however, was not alone in his criticism. James Arbuthnot MP, a respected senior Tory, called on Haig to be “more constructive” and not “alienate” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Haig had recently called “belligerent.” Robert Halfon MP told Hague: “The Foreign Office has not done enough to stop the delegitimization of Israel. We must speak up for its right to exist.”
Others were equally critical. Nick Boles MP claimed that Britain had not done enough to condemn the Palestinian National Authority for glorifying suicide bombers. Hindu MP Priti Patel, one of the young upcoming women in the Conservative Party, said: “We must be more critical of the Palestinians for not giving up violence.” Andrew Percy MP added: “We give the Palestinians money to help the poor, but they spend it on hate education.”
When Carswell insisted and told Haig, “Ministers are supposed to direct officials, not the other way round. You are being one-sided and saying completely unacceptable things about a fellow democratic country,” Haig replied: “It is completely untrue to suggest I have been taken captive by the Foreign Office. I overrule their advice all the time.” With this remark, Haig implicitly acknowledged that the Foreign Office is, indeed, biased against Israel.
The Palestinian Authority gets £86 million ($135 million) of British aid a year. Last year, it was revealed that the PA had given £5 million in compensation to the families of terrorists who had died while perpetrating their terrorist activities and another £3 million to 5,500 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The payments, using taxpayers’ cash donated from Britain and the European Union, were described by Conservative MP Philip Davies as “ludicrous” and “utterly inexcusable.” However, Britain has not cut back its aid to the PA.
The diplomats of the British Foreign Office share most of the opinions of their colleagues in the other member states of the European Union (EU). They belong to the cosmopolitan elite which favors the transfer of national sovereignty to the EU institutions in Brussels and the latter’s political goal of transforming Europe into a genuine federal state. It is highly paradoxical, but the foreign departments of the various European states, which were once established with the explicit goal of furthering their nation’s national interests and defending its sovereignty, have today come to loathe that very task.
They are as pro-EU as they are anti-Israel, says Carswell. It is as if they despise Israel because it is one of the last Western nations which unashamedly defends its national interests in a way which European nations no longer dare or want to do. Hence, the reproach to Netanyahu that he is “belligerent.”
Apart from bilateral aid to the Palestinians, Britain also gives large amounts to the PA through the European Union. The EU started funding the Palestinians in 1971. These funds dramatically increased after the signing of the Oslo Agreements in 1994. Since the start of the Second Intifada in 2000, the EU aid, which was initially given in the form of development assistance, has focused on direct support to the Palestinian Authority and the development of the PA’s institutions.
The EU does not seem tot mind that the PA is rife with corruption. In 2005, the EU anti-fraud office OLAF investigated allegations of abuse of funding by the PA to support terrorist activities. OLAF found “no conclusive evidence” of abuse, although it admitted that “the possibility of misuse of the Palestinian Authority’s budget and other resources cannot be excluded, due to the fact that the internal and external audit capacity in the Palestinian Authority is still underdeveloped.”
Rather than suspending its financial support, the EU increased it. While the European governments are imposing austerity measures on their own taxpayers, these taxpayers are being asked to give ever more money to the Palestinians. Last year, the European Parliament decided to raise Europe’s aid to the Palestinians by €100 million ($130 million).
The pro-Palestinian bias of the British and European foreign policy establishment makes little sense unless one sees it in the broader picture of the EU’s attempts to forge an alliance with the Islamic world.
In her book Eurabia, historian Bat Ye’or argues that the EU authorities are creating a European-Arab axis. In fact, the idea of a Euro-Islamic Alliance is much older than the EU, which was established in 1957. It was already present during a meeting of the British Cabinet’s Palestine Committee on April 20, 1939, in which Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain told his Cabinet that it was of “immense importance” from the point of view of strategy, “to have the Moslem world with us;” he added: “If we must offend one side, let us offend the Jews rather than the Arabs.”
The plan to sacrifice the Jews to an Arab appeasement policy resurfaced after the 1973 oil crisis, when the Arab countries used oil as a weapon against countries which had allied themselves with Israel in the Arab-Israeli Yom Kippur War of that same year. In exchange for a guaranteed steady supply of oil, the EU promised to give the Arab countries technological and economic assistance, to take in large numbers of Arab immigrants, who would be allowed to preserve their own culture, and to forge a joint EU-Arab foreign policy.
Bat Ye’or cites official documents, agreements and “directives” (pieces of EU legislation) to prove her thesis. “Eurabia,” she says, “represents a geo-political reality envisaged in 1973 through a system of informal alliances between, on the one hand … the European Union (EU) … and on the other hand, the Mediterranean Arab countries. … This system was synchronised under the roof of an association called the Euro-Arab Dialogue (EAD) created in July 1974 in Paris. A working body composed of committees and always presided jointly by a European and an Arab delegate planned the agendas, and organized and monitored the application of the decisions.”
Bat Ye’or argues that the fear of losing Arab oil even led the European establishment to accept an “oil for immigrants” policy. She fears that Europeans will never be able to liberate themselves from Eurabia. “It is a project that was conceived, planned and pursued consistently through immigration policy, propaganda, church support, economic associations and aid, cultural, media and academic collaboration. Generations grew up within this political framework; they were educated and conditioned to support it and go along with it.”
Perhaps, however, Bat Ye’or is too pessimistic. The establishment of groups such as Conservative Friends of Israel shows that Europe still has perceptive and courageous politicians who speak out in defense of Israel. It is no coincidence that the same people stand for their own national interests and sovereignty. Europe’s freedom and independence is best served by standing side by side with Israel.
Time to get serious. Let’s play games!
Ha Ha…arrived in a Puff of Smoke eh?
Correction, should read: Over $100 million per year. That is serious dough and a serious commitment.
In a small country like Israel that kind of money can go a long way.
Isolation
“The concept of a Jewish People alone is tied to the concept that G-d is alone. G-d is alone and cannot be compared or equated to anything else. He is One and Unique, as it says (Deut. 4:35), “You are the ones who have been shown, so that you will know that the L-rd is G-d and there is none besides Him”; and, “To Him Who alone does great wonders” (Ps. 136:4). Just so, the Jewish People are alone, set apart from all the nations, as it says (Lev. 20:26), “I have separated you from the nations,” and, “It is a people that shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the nations” (Num. 23:9).”
“Israel shall thus dwell securely, alone” (Deut. 33:28)…“Thus will I be magnified, sanctified and become known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the L-rd” (Ezek. 38:23).
Can’t a guy get any peace and quiet around here?!?!?!
Pls. review my evidence and while your at it read as much of this blog ‘Jewish Israel’ as you can. Then pls. stand by your criticism of me or retract. Thanks in advance. Yamit
David Ha’ivri responds to reports, and so does Jewish Israel
David Wilder retracts on CUFI article? Did he really?
Israel is under threat Physically by Arabs and Muslims and spiritually by Christians.
I deem the Christian threat more dangerous to us because it is insidious, well funded and the Jews based on ignorance, naivete and a psychological need to feel not alone are letting them in and giving them the keys to the house in the process.
Christian Evangelical denominations spend well over $100 million, for converting Jews mostly in Israel. They buy our politicians and many gullible religious institutions and their rabbis in support of charities yeshevot and settlements. They haven’t learned there are no free lunches. Arutz 7 is also compromised due to their financial dependency on Christians.
besides this blog I can supply you with many others active in the counter missionary war. Shy Guy can as well.
Yamit82 I was shocked by your comment. Normally you have intelligent things to say and I almost always agree with everything you write. I too am upset with the stupid Jews, of which there are a plenty. But putting Wilder and Ha’ivri in the same camp is a colossal error. These stalwart and courageous Jews stand for the national rights of the Jewish people that you advocate. That they befriend the few goyim that offer support for the state or try to dissuade those who don’t should be praised and supported. In case you haven’t noticed, Israel has few friends in the world and can no longer count on the USA under BHO. Despite your bold assertions, Israel can’t weather the storm of Muslim hatred and world-wide antisemitism on it’s own. Rather than divide the religious nationalist camp, we should be striving for unity in the face of extreme adversity. Please reconsider.
At the beginning of this interesting and important-to-Israel report, William Hague’s surname was correctly spelt ‘Hague’, but then it turned into ‘Haig’….! What happened, Hague wanted a more American-sounding surname and so changed it bt deedn poll…or there was a little gremlin lurking at the printing press??? If so, it would have been more suitable to call the British FO William Vague, as that is how his mind seems to ‘work’ more often than not.
Please make sure the name is spelled “Hague” NOT Haig. Alexander Haig was a blessed chaver of both the State of Israel and American Jewry. May his memory be blessed, as William HAGUE’s should be cursed.
I believe that most of the problems , and solutions, begin with the Jews and Israelis. The world does not see gaza rockets as war crimes because Israel never files charges as such therefor they feel it is just a bother. The world does not see the right of Jews to Israel because Israel never claims or seizes that right: Israel treats its rights simply as a negotiation between 2 rightful claimants over how to divide the disputed land whereas the arabs claim it as an inalienable right. Israel is seen as greedy bargaining jews seeking a better deal at the expense of the rightful owners. This is Israels fault. The world will NEVER see or give more than the least CLAIMED by any Israeli. This is why a complete change of leadership and perspective is necessary to change the paradigm. Israel must state that all agreements made under the 20000 year duress of the holocaust against the Jews are not binding as agreements made under duress are not binding in law. Further, impositions of conditions made by force of a stronger party(eg Britain, UN, US,etc) are also not binding as they were also made under threat of force. The world continues to treat the jews as suckers to be fleeced under threat of holocaust. Further it should state that the creation of jew free jordan and the ethnic cleansing of jews from arab nations, and areas of former palestine mandate, must be resolved PRIOR to any other discussion. A strong, aggressive and expansionist Israel will solve all problems. Seizures and demands will bring Justice. Saudis must pay in oil and blood for their financing of terror against the jews. Saudis are todays Eichmanns educating the global muslim children to kill jews.
‘It was already present during a meeting of the British Cabinet’s Palestine Committee on April 20, 1939, in which Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain told his Cabinet that it was of “immense importance” from the point of view of strategy, “to have the Moslem world with us;” he added: “If we must offend one side, let us offend the Jews rather than the Arabs.” ‘ Following that Britain was pummeled to the ground, humiliated and forced to beg from its offsprings begging bowl. Where is this anti jew perspective bringing europe today? I long for Israel to seize the saudi oil fields and the suez canal and then we will see a change. All of a sudden it will be Israel who will be courted. Israel must think bigger into a future world. All it needs is resources and finance. seizing saudi oil would give Israel the money and deny the major financial source of terror. Israel needs bigger thinkers if it wants to get out of the box. The seed of these possibilities must be planted and nurtured. Perhaps it will be grow or die, victory or death.
Israel is rapidly shifting from American and Euro centered economic relations to Asian.
Israel prepares for an Asian future
For the first time, Israeli exports to Asia outpaced those to the US, and some experts believe that statistic is a harbinger of the future.
The growth potential is Asian and today that’s where the money is.
I’m not upset with the stinking Germans, It’s the stupid Jews I’m upset with, especially those like Wilder who demean and lower themselves before the goyim. He wants to explain and justify his existence as a Jew and an Israeli. He is a groveler before his peoples murderers and or their offspring. He wants to be loved and accepted by those who hate Jews from generation to generation. As a religious Jew he will hear the Zachor [remembrance] before Purim, which commands we Jews remember AMALEK
(Amalekites).
I used to have a lot of respect for Wilder until he sold his soul to the Evangelists for a few pieces of dirty silver. Much like that other Jewish traitor David Ha’ivri. (I wonder how many of the group being lectured to by Ha’ivri, were wearing Crosses?
I find it obscene that any German especially an official German is allowed to put one foot in Israel. I resent that Israel plays the German National anthem in our country for selected official German Guests.
I realize that Jews in general and specifically Israeli Jews have no self-respect and no national pride……….Were it up to me there would not be a German alive today and no Germany, at least one populated with ethnic Germans.
Germans and untermenschen – German diplomats visit Hebron and treat resident as untermensch – Read report by long-time Hebron resident and media spokesman David Wilder:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Blogs/Message.aspx/4935
Wilder writes:
I approached one man, held out my business card and introduced myself. He ignored me. I asked if I could too speak with the group. He ignored me. I asked if he would take my card. He ignored me. I asked is he would speak with me. He ignored me. Finally he said something. “It’s not personal.” Wow!
Then I found the ‘leader’ who said his name is Tobias, an employee of the German Foreign ministry in Berlin. He did speak to me. We actually had a long conversation. When I asked if I could also address the group he told me that they choose who they want to hear. What, not me too. Well, he said they’d already talked to us, a few years ago.
He told me that perhaps we could have a meeting with an ‘official’ German delegation in Tel Aviv, because ‘you are aware of our legal position when it comes to Israeli settlements in the West Bank…’ and a talk at Beit Hadassah would ‘complicate things.’
I told him that it would be preferable to speak in Hebron, but that if necessary we’d be willing to talk to them in Tel Aviv. ‘Tel Aviv is also a part of the state of Israel, even though it’s not mentioned in the Bible. We are about 4,000 years old and Tel Aviv only about one hundred.’
He then interjected that it’s the capital of Israel, to which I answered that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. He retorted, ‘the internationally recognized capital,’ to which I answered, the international, eternal capital of Israel is Jerusalem and all countries, especially Germany, should accept that.’
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The problem is twofold.
First, Israeli governments have never shown any interest in proclaiming Israel’s right to Yesha based on international law (St Remo Resolution/League of Nations Mandate).
And second, patriotic Jews have no organization, no plan other than Build-Build, no clout to push for extension of sovereignty over Yesha, and no effective and consistent PR campaign to speak of.
The world watches as the Israeli government humiliates and delegitimizes settlers, expelling them out of their homes in the middle of the night, or by means of an outright pogrom (Amona) – and so they feel free to express their most racist attitudes towards Jews as long as they wrap them up with a pro-Palestinian flag.
Treating a peaceful Hebron Jew like an untermensch is then the easiest thing to do because so does the Israeli government.
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If you feel offended and outraged by the attitude displayed by German government officials on Jewish land, please write politely to the German government:
Chancellor, Frau Angela Merkel: – See Contact link –
http://www.bundesregierung.de/Webs/Breg/EN/Chancellor/_node.html –
German Federal Govt Contact page: https://www.bundesregierung.de/Webs/Breg/EN/Service/Contact/contact_node.html –