Archangel Gabriel

It is all over the press: Germany’s foreign secretary, Sigmar Gabriel, had arranged to include meetings with two Israeli NGOs, B’Tselem and Breaking the Silence in his programme during his recent visit to Israel. These organisations, like various other NGOs that are critical of the Israeli government are subject to intense intimidation attempts by the Israeli government that is trying its utmost to close them down and block their activities.

Israel is striding fast to become as democratic as Turkey. You may wish to visit the websites of B’Tselem and Breaking the Silence and be convinced of their importance, and perhaps even make a donation to support their activities.  

Despite Netanyahu’s attempt to blackmail Gabriel into cancelling his meetings, Gabriel did not budge. By cancelling his meeting with Gabriel, Macho Man Netanyahu was able to prove the size of his balls to his right-wing support base.

A curious coalition of German Gabriel haters and the usual voices of German Philosemites can be heard in Germany in support of Netanyahu, criticising Gabriel and even suggesting that – how not –  the man is an anti-Semite. A false, ridiculous and shameful allegation.

P.S.:

I expect that Netanyahu will not have such problems during next month’s visit of Duterte, Prime Minister of the Philippines, who is on record urging his citizens to kill drug addicts and who has famously stated "Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now, there are 3 million drug addicts. ... I'd be happy to slaughter them." Duterte’s Israel diary is more likely to include meetings with Israeli arms manufacturers than with peace activists.  

May for June

On the face of it, it is all very democratic. The British system enables the prime minister to choose an election date to choose his or her interests. Shortly after assuring the public that she was not going to call a snap election, she called a snap election. But then Mrs. May is an accomplished liar. After all, she is the woman who supported the Remain in the EU campaign and became prime minister to bulldoze a Brexit. Cleverly, she is acting to take advantage of the total state of shambles Britain’s Labour Party is in and the fact that the third party, the Liberal democrats with their 8 MPs seem to have almost ceased to exist. In truth, Theresa May is doing an Erdogan, only she is doing it the British way. She is hoping to have a majority that will make parliament obsolete. Pfui on her.

The only strategy open to true democrats in Britain is to vote tactically, disregarding any party allegiance: Find out which candidate in your constituency has a chance of beating the Tory (unless they are UKIP) and vote for her or him.

Tactical voting on 8 June is the order of the day!