This is not the first time, and will not be the last, that Israel finds itself at the centre of a raging storm, with words of condemnation from around the world heaped upon it.
It is precisely because of such experience that the Israelis will be thinking they can tough this one out, as they have toughed out so many storms before.
They have already had a victory of sorts, with the Americans blocking UN Security Council demands for an international inquiry into the assault on the Turkish aid ship bound for Gaza. Instead the US believes any such inquiry can he carried out by the Israelis. Cue widespread scoffing from all those who have condemned the action that led to the deaths on board the ship.
In any event, remember the Israelis’ often dismissive and angry response to previous international inquiries – they hold the line whatever the outcome, it is fair to say – and remember that in Israel the pressure is as much about why the troops were put in harm’s way without proper preparation than about the violence that led to nine deaths.
Much is made of the ‘powerful pro-Israel lobby’, and so it should be. But equally powerful is their media management.
As the condemnation mounted, they nonetheless managed to push out their version of events with real force, not least by incarcerating the Palestinian supporters on board, and then yesterday swamped the airwaves with articulate and unyielding spokesmen defending their actions, alongside hospital-visting pictures of Binyamin Netanyahu. This all helped consolidate public opinion at home while pumping out their message abroad. Pretty it is not, but the Israeli PR machine in crisis management mode does not do pretty. It does brutal, hard-headed, by its own lights effective.
Meanwhile the words from abroad cranked up and up and up, but within no time the sense was of a dialogue of the deaf. Up pops an Israeli to say the expected. Up pops a Palestinian. Up pops an outside politician with words blunted because they give the clear sense from the speaker that they are to a great extent going through motions. They are motions that have to be gone through, but motions nonetheless.
And therein lies the real damage; that every time a spark flies – and this is a big spark – Israelis and Palestinians alike retreat to well worn lines of hatred and misunderstanding, much of it deliberate, and the outside world has to say the same old same old again and again. .
Yet words are all the fabled ‘international community’ really have. The words of condemnation will fade. But ultimately the words of persuasion are those that have to be returned to again and again and again, in the hope that from every step back there might emerge the mood and the moment to engineer a step forward.
But it feels a long way from that today. And meanwhile none of the words on either side are doing much to improve life for the 1.5 million Palestinians living under the Israeli blockade.
*** The book rounds take me today to see Eamonn and the lovely Ruth on ITV’s This Morning. They clearly have something unexpected lined up because when I tweeted last night that Philip Dodd of Radio 3’s Nightwaves was a ‘proper interviewer’ – I think the interview goes out tonight – Eamonn tweeted up with a ‘watch it’ kind of message, as though my saying one interview was ‘proper’ meant all others weren’t.
Not so … just that Philip Dodd did that old fashioned thing of having interesting questions – some of which I had not been asked before – and then listening to answers before coming back with another interesting question. I’ve done so many briefings and interviews that it is always nice, even if some of the questions make you feel a bit uncomfortable, if you are made to think on the spot by being asked things you’ve not really been asked much before.
And so to two book plugs … 1) Prelude to Power … http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diaries-One-Prelude-1994-1997-Campbell/dp/0091797268
And 2) Signed copies of The Blair Years which raise cash for Labour http://www.alastaircampbell.org/bookshop.php.
Ps, JPHowarth came on with a message to celebrate his winning #neverhappenedunderlabour entry. But he did not leave an address where we can send his signed copy of Prelude to Power
This “dialogue of the deaf” is one of the reasons certain left thinking people like me abandoned Blair’s New Labour. We thought things would change. That someone would finally speak up about the dreadful injustices in the world instead of cosying up to Uncle Sam.
But look at yesterday’s comments carefully. Even (to my amazement) the boy Hague used the word ‘condemn’. Who was the only person not to use the word? You’ve guessed it. Tony Blair. The one who has most influence for this country in the Middle East failed to condemn an act of state terrorism.
I think your blog is quite right. Condemnation isn’t going to change the world. But being in touch with real people’s feelings about this atrocity is very important.
Presumably had the British had actual footage of WMDs in Iraq they would be very keen to show the world, why shouldn’t Israel show the provocation they were faced with when boarding the ship?
What does it say for the Internatoional Community that they strongly criticised Israel the minute the news came through before hearing all the facts? If they can be so biased at this point what chance does a international investigation have?
Spin can only go so far – the reality of their severely damaged relations with Turkey will haunt Israel. Sadly I’m not sure the Israeli leadership will do anything about this until it’s too late: their “ruthless, hard-headed” PR machine is so effective, even they believe their own nonsense.
Israel needs some tough love. If they’re not seen to be held to account, they’ll lose the international support essential to sustain them.
Dear Alastair,
first thing – just finished reading your book, Maya, and it is really good. Hope you continue to write novels.
Secondly, on Israel – the thing I find most intresting is the level of condemnation over Israel compard to the lack of outcry over North Korea sinking ships and killing more people
all the best rory
It is quite common that small news in Israel often become big news in Europe. The explanation for this is the new rise of antisemitism. But is critique against Israel unreasonable? And why Israel is rising so much emotion in the world? Is it because of the Biblical connections?
Why the attention of the international community is so often on Israel instead of following what Russia or China are doing?
Israel has inherited South Africa´s role as an international villain. In Europe people see Israel – not Iran – as the biggest threat to world peace.
This view is held especially among the radical Left and Muslim population in Europe.
Alan Dershowitz says in his The case for Israel that people want Israel to show higher morals than the other countries. The world opinion is stricter toward Israel.
Of course, Israel´s actions often give reasons to condemn it.
But European media has accepted the narrative of innocent Palestinians and aggressive Israel. According to studies European quality newspapers have a bias against Israel. What happens to Kurds in Syria or prisoners in Egypt´s jails is not newsworthy in Europe.
One explanation for criticism against Israel is that Europe has been released from the Holocaust´s burden. Another is that people often bundle USA and Israel together.
Ps. Homosexuality is illegal in Iran. The penalty for it is death sentence. If this were the case in Israel, people in Europe would be jumping to the walls. Double standards!
I thought your old mate TB was Middle East Peace Envoy? He has been paid a fortune for the last three years and all we can see is the suntan.
You have gone very quiet on his contribution, Al, at a time when a good spin could lead to the truth that he really saved the world, not Brown.
Surely Hamas realise what a peacemaker he was over ten years, and they must know that to take you and Blair on results in……regime change and death.
This “dialogue of the deaf” is one of the reasons certain left thinking people like me abandoned Blair’s New Labour. We thought things would change. That someone would finally speak up about the dreadful injustices in the world instead of cosying up to Uncle Sam.
But look at yesterday’s comments carefully. Even (to my amazement) the boy Hague used the word ‘condemn’. Who was the only person not to use the word? You’ve guessed it. Tony Blair. The one who has most influence for this country in the Middle East failed to condemn an act of state terrorism.
I think your blog is quite right. Condemnation isn’t going to change the world. But being in touch with real people’s feelings about this atrocity is very important.
Pinky swear, yesterday morning I was wondering why you rarely talk about non-Westminster topics like the oil spill and the flotilla… how very odd that you should comment on both in the last few hours.
Great blog, I agree on all counts. I would simply add that Israel spokesmen are irrelevant: it doesn’t matter who provokes what, all the public remembers in the end is Israel retaliating with overwhelming firepower. Every time. This was a pro-Gazan set up. Al Jazeera was on a ship waiting to capture images. The Guardian had this headline on 25 May 2010 “Gaza aid flotilla to set sail for confrontation with Israel”. One can always count on Israel to take the bait.
I’m not Galloway-ian, I have a lot of sympathy for Israelis and yet it’s obvious Jewish and pro-Zionist lobby in the West are the major stumbling blocks here. It took a billion dollars to make Obama a president, tens and hundreds of millions to make any given senator or a governor these days. As long as this is the case, we will be reduced to simple words of condemnation and there will be no hope for Palestinians.
Ahh the usual Israeli appolgists on here Alistar, and Rory, if you think North Korea has killed more people than Israel than far from being witty and clever you show your complete ignorance of what the Israelis have done to the Palastinans. They have systimatically, murded, starved, humilated, abused, bullied and crucified the Palestinians with the help and support of the US which is as much as about America’s billion pound arms deals with Israel as it is about the Israeli community having so much power in the US. It has become anti sematic to criticise Israel, but Israel have become the dictators, the fascists, the murders. What the Nazi’s did to Israelis is unforgiveable and Nazism should always be fought, with violence if neccesary but Israel has become the new Nazi’s. If it was ANY country, Iran or North Korea we WOULD be at war, we went to war with Iraq over much less. But if Israel is not careful that is what is going to happen, at some point someone is going to say enough is enough. Has Israel got the humility to see what they are doing is wrong? To give BACK the land they took by FORCE. These are the FACTS, but pro Isreali supports even lie about those. No chance. So lets not fight them with a war they so seeminly want, lets fight them financially. Boycott Isreali services and products. Make sure you don’t buy anything in your supermarket from Israel. Free Palestine, NOW.
The cycle of atrocities in the Middle East remind me of what Northern Ireland used to be. Thankfully, down to a great deal of effort, especially from the people of Northern Ireland, we now see a country moving forward. No, it’s not perfect yet, but it is a symbol of what can be achieved, when a culture of reconciliation is nurtured.
It would be stretching it a bit, to suggest that the same can be achieved in the Middle East. We have more forces at play throughout the region, and in particular, Palestine. It is also true, that Israel are dogged by a fifth columns of opposition, undermining any progress towards peace.
What is disappointing, is the usual line coming out of America. If we are to move this situation forward, and put a stop to the bloodshed, then America must start to use it’s soft power more effectively. They forgot they had a diplomatic corp, during the Bush years, and began to use military options indiscriminately. American diplomacy used to have a strong success rate, but it declined under Bush. With a more pragmatic person in the White House, we must hold hope that there will be more positive activity, and a different note struck towards Israel and Palestine.
It is important, that we demand our government keep the spotlight on the situation and continue to look for solutions. While America hold the strong hand in the region, the EU can also bring a lot to the table. And this is why Britain should be pro-active within the EU, rather than standing back.
The Tories may view the EU with suspicion, but they have an obligation to engage in EU policy, when it can help make a difference to a region torn apart by conflict, hatred and suspicion. If they do this, they will have the full support of the country, who want to see the peace of Northern Ireland take root between these two states.
Graet post AC one i agree with wholeheartedly
Over the past couple of days I have spoken to a number of family members, friends and work colleagues, many of whom are politically active and all of whom are left leaning and have no reason to show any bias towards Israel.
No-one has commented against Israel and everyone has been critical of the so-called peace activists. Someone was shocked as he heard that they had brought a baby on the journey, someone else thought that they were looking for a fight and a couple of people felt that the whole thing was engineered seeing as so many demonstrators made their way to the streets so quickly.
I even have a work colleague who usually rants against Israel at any opportunity who has remained quiet on the issue and has cheerfully chatted about other matters.
It is refreshing that despite the reactions and condemnations from political leaders, the UN and parts of the media before all the facts were examined, back in the real world, people are seeing sense on this.
Rob Excellent comment.
I feel sure that maybe a year down the line we could all be condeming Israel for yet another act of aggression.
Thought Cameron was measured and excellent at PMQs – a real Prime Minister commanding huge support in the House and the nation. What a refreshing change.
I am old enough to remember the repeated attacks on Israel, including the attack on Yom Kippur, one of the most sacred days in the Jewish religious calendar, when the whole country was at prayer and threatening no one. Five times that little country, a beacon of democracy in a brutal Middle East,was attacked and fought for its survival, with the might of Arab armies turned against it. Yet when Anwar Sadat, the Egyptian leader, held out the hand of friendship, he was received a rapturous welcome in Israel. He was murdered by Islamists for his efforts. Islamist extremists have kept the Palestinians enslaved when they had the means of alleviating their suffering merely to use them as bargaining chips in a bigger game.
If Israel’s reactions seem extreme now, think about what that country has suffered; how efforts at establishing rapport with the Arab world have been rejected. I think Israel now is like an abused child, traumatised by brutality and enmity, trusting no one, and utterly defensive and protective, lashing out at anyone who offers the slightest threat, and even sometimes, alienating friends. If Israel’s actions are troubling now, remember what the threat is. After the last defeat of Syria,when Israel captured the Golan Heights, the Syrians threatened, ‘Next time we will drive you into the sea.’ Wouldn’t you fight viciously against that threat and be reluctant to surrender territory you had captured when repelling aggression?
I am not Jewish, but I admire an industrious people who made desert land bloom like a rose, who built a democracy in an area of medieval tyranny and are fighting for their homeland after centuries of persecution. You know the old saying, ‘This animal is dangerous: when attacked, it defends itself.’ Look at the wrongs done to Israel, and ask whether you would not react with the fury and vengeance of Israel today.
Just saw Cracking Up: a fine piece of work. A follow-up that dealt in more detail about the strategies you have used / use to manage depression would be very interesting. In particular I imagine you have had to look at how you think about your life and change some of your ways of thinking in order to manage depression. Thanks for a great piece of television.
The coalition’s cheerleader squad really are in full voice. At the weekend we had a concerted campaign telling us all that David Laws is “indispensible” (he isn’t – nobody is!) and now a host of over-the-top comments praising Cameron’s performance at PMQs. The truth is that all members of the new House of Commons are still new in their respective roles now. The backdrop of what happened in Cumbria also ensured that the atmosphere would be subdued. Interesting points from Harriet Harman (on the suggestion that rape defendants should be granted anonymity) and Briget Phillipson (on the grant promised by Labour to Nissan to help develop new electric cars)… Cameron didn’t look at all convincing on either issue.
buying the diaries today also Tony Blairs new book which i did not even know was coming out! Just finished ‘End of the party’ and have to say found it rather sad making. i know it’s not a popular thing to say but i miss them all already, the Mandlesons, Goulds, Campbells and of course Blair. And Prezza left hook! Historic, smart and funny bunch!!
Wow. A lot has been made of yesterday’s PMQs. The truth is, the coalition are due a lot more scrutiny on policy and as many have put it, the loveless marriage. There are pretty tough questions to answer on education and universities. I hope the oppositon robustly hold them to account on these and several other policy issues that matter to the core labour tribe.
A friend of mine sent me the following info from JFNA’s Israel office re background to the Flotilla incident. As AC indicates, the PR machine over there paints a very different take on the events….here it is in full:
As many of you may be aware, a major confrontation took place off Israel’s coast earlier today. We wanted to bring you the most up-to-date information from JFNA’s Israel office, for your background. We have summarized the major points below.
Early this morning (May 31), Israel Defense Forces naval forces intercepted six ships attempting to break the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The intercept took place after numerous warnings from Israel and the Israel Navy that were issued prior to the action. The Israel Navy requested the ships to redirect toward Ashdod , where they would be able to unload their cargo which would then be transferred to Gaza over land after undergoing security inspections. The IDF stressed that the passengers could then return to their point of departure on the same vessels.
During the interception of the ships, the demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF naval personnel with live gunfire as well as light weaponry including knives, crowbars and clubs. The demonstrators had clearly prepared weapons in advance for this specific purpose.
According to reports from sea, on board the flotilla that was seeking to break the maritime closure on the Gaza Strip, IDF forces apprehended two violent activists holding pistols. These militants apparently grabbed the pistols from IDF forces and opened fire on the soldiers.
The activists were carrying 10,000 tons of reported aid to Gaza. Israel provides 15,000 tons of aid weekly to Gaza.
As a result of this life-threatening activity, naval forces employed riot dispersal means, including, when they determined that their lives were in immediate danger, live fire. According to initial reports, these events resulted in a reported nine deaths among the demonstrators and numerous injured.
A number of Israeli naval personnel were injured, some from gunfire and others from knives and crowbars. Two of the soldiers are seriously wounded and the remainder sustained light injuries.
All of the injured, Israelis and foreigners, are currently being evacuated by a fleet of IDF helicopters to hospitals in Israel.
Reports from IDF forces on the scene are that some of the participants onboard the ships had planned a lynch-mob attack, using lethal force on the boarding forces.
The events are still unfolding. Israeli Naval commander, Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom is overseeing the activities.
In the coming hours, the ships will be directed to the Ashdod port, while IDF naval forces will perform security checks in order to identify the people on board the ships and their equipment.
The IDF naval operation was carried out under orders from the political leadership to halt the flotilla from reaching the Gaza Strip and breaching the naval blockade.
Other important facts:
The provocateurs were organized by an Islamist organization that has links to fundamentalist jihadi groups.
The extremists brought small children on board knowing that they intended to violate international maritime law.
The activists were carrying 10,000 tons of what they said was aid. Israel transfers about 15,000 tons of supplies and humanitarian aid every week to the people of Gaza.
“We fully intend to go to Gaza regardless of any intimidation or threats of violence against us, they are going to have to forcefully stop us,” said one of the flotilla’s organizers.
Using the Arabic term ‘intifada,’ Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said “We call on all Arabs and Muslims to rise up in front of Zionist embassies across the whole world.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said this week: “If the ships reach Gaza it is a victory; if they are intercepted, it will be a victory too.
Israel left Gaza in hopes of peace in 2005 and in return received more than 10,000 rockets and terrorist attacks.
Israel has said that it will deliver any humanitarian aid to Gaza, as it does daily.
No country would allow illegal entry of any vessel into their waters without a security check.
Earlier this week, Noam Shalit, father of Hamas-held Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, approached the flotilla’s organizers asking them to take supplies to Gilad. He was refused .