Manchester streets or 'Nazi Germany'? Gaza protests rife with anti-Semitism, claims Sir Richard Leese
Manchester streets or 'Nazi Germany'? Gaza protests rife with anti-Semitism, claims Sir Richard Leese
Sir Richard Leese has sensationally compared protests on the streets of Manchester to Nazi Germany.
The leader of Manchester City Council’s statement came at the opening of a meeting at Manchester Town Hall this morning, in response to a pro-Palestine protest outside King Street store Karem Cosmetics.
The store sells ‘dead sea products’ and has been recently boycotted due to the recent missile attacks that have left over 1,000 civilians dead, mainly on the Palestinian side.
Speaking about this protests, Sir Leese said: “This council cannot support those who seek to bring this conflict into our city and drive wedges between communities whose home is not the Middle East but is here in Manchester.
“We cannot support the use of language that would not have been out of place in 1930s' Germany.
'SENSELESS LOSS OF LIFE': The Council Leader has slammed those bringing the conflict to Manchester
“[The council] cannot support Manchester businesses, their staff and their customers being subject to abuse and intimidation as they attempt to go about their ordinary, everyday lives.”
Police were involved due to safety concerns around the congregation of both Israel and Palestine supporters that began to clash – an event that lead to five arrests.
The Israeli and Palastinian protests couldn't be much closer in Manchester. pic.twitter.com/YD9ImE8iaU
— Johnny Hughes (@JPHughes88) July 27, 2014
The protests in Manchester were so scary today Truthful but scary
— alycia/FREEPALESTINE (@AlyciaAnwar) July 28, 2014
Praising the police’s role in the protest, Sir Leese said: “GMP must ensure the right to peaceful protest is maintained but we also expect them to deal robustly with anti-Semitic incitement, just as we would Islamophobia, homophobia or any other hate crime.
“We expect them to protect the right of shops to trade, shop workers to work and their customers to visit them and to do so without fear.”
Sir Leese also took time to comment on the conflict Gaza itself, calling the ‘senseless’ loss of civilian lives ‘shocking and horrific’.
He said: “The cycle of mutual threat and retaliation have no lasting effect except to reinforce the misery and insecurity of everyone in the region and is making the road to peace even more difficult. There is no military solution for either side in this conflict.
“Further acceleration of violence in recent days requires that our government, together with other countries redouble their efforts to bring about an immediate cessation of violence from both sides.”
The Council Leader added: "I am not going to take sides. Whatever the justification given, I cannot support Israel’s bombardments of Gaza, nor can I support Hamas firing rockets into Southern Israel.
SOLIDARITY: Afzal Khan MEP praised the Manchester City Council
“Gaza is now in the midst of a humanitarian crisis that requires the immediate opening of crossings to permit the flow of aid, commercial goods and people.
“It has gone on for far too long. Israel and Palestine need a permanent ceasefire and the population, Arab and Jew alike need the opportunity to build a secure and prosperous future."
The Statement comes in response to a meeting the Leader hadon Monday with North West MEP, Afzal Khan, who urged that the statement be made as a matter of urgency.
Afzal Khan MEP, who has been pushing unceasingly on all fronts for an end to the violence in Gaza, including in the EU, said:
“I welcome this statement and thank the city’s leadership for taking action in this time of crisis.
"As always, Manchester’s full Labour Council is taking a stand in line with the people of Manchester and is playing its part for peace in this troubled part of the world.”
Main image courtesy of Steve Spy4, via YouTube, with thanks.
Comments
Thank you Manchester council for a voice if reason. I was in town in Tuesday and talked to local shopkeepers who are both frightened and annoyed at the protesters. In particular the young people working in the kedem shop said they had been subjected to anti Semitic abuse. The council should be proud if this published statement. Thanks
Thank you Manchester council for a voice if reason. I was in town in Tuesday and talked to local shopkeepers who are both frightened and annoyed at the protesters. In particular the young people working in the kedem shop said they had been subjected to anti Semitic abuse. The council should be proud if this published statement. Thanks
Richard Leese has engaged in a concerted campaign to smear the Palestine solidarity protesters who have assembled outside the Israeli-owned Kedem Cosmetics business. Mr Leese's comments are particularly disturbing in that he strongly implies that the protests have an anti-Semitic character. The only evidence of any violent or racist behaviour at these protests I have been able to find online has been from the counter-demonstrators, who appear to be a combination of local pro-Israeli Jewish people and EDL members (politics makes for strange bedfellows!) (See:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2Riqxsvwic ANDhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpFY3YxlXKQ). This begs the question why Richard Leese has made these unsupported allegations about only one side of this issue. Could it be that he is trying to advance a political agenda that extends quite beyond his role as a Manchester councillor? Are Councillors Leese and Karney not aware of the call from over 170 Palestinian Civil Society organisations calling for the boycott of all Israeli goods until Israel ends its illegal occupation of Palestinian land; which creates a system of apartheid condemned by the International Community and all major Human Rights Organisations? I would prefer to believe that the conduct of Mr Leese stems not from impartiality but from ignorance. Either way, he has proven himself quite unfit for the role of councillor within an area that represents such a diverse range of communities and political views.
Richard Leese has engaged in a concerted campaign to smear the Palestine solidarity protesters who have assembled outside the Israeli-owned Kedem Cosmetics business. Mr Leese's comments are particularly disturbing in that he strongly implies that the protests have an anti-Semitic character. The only evidence of any violent or racist behaviour at these protests I have been able to find online has been from the counter-demonstrators, who appear to be a combination of local pro-Israeli Jewish people and EDL members (politics makes for strange bedfellows!) (See:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2Riqxsvwic ANDhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpFY3YxlXKQ). This begs the question why Richard Leese has made these unsupported allegations about only one side of this issue. Could it be that he is trying to advance a political agenda that extends quite beyond his role as a Manchester councillor? Are Councillors Leese and Karney not aware of the call from over 170 Palestinian Civil Society organisations calling for the boycott of all Israeli goods until Israel ends its illegal occupation of Palestinian land; which creates a system of apartheid condemned by the International Community and all major Human Rights Organisations? I would prefer to believe that the conduct of Mr Leese stems not from impartiality but from ignorance. Either way, he has proven himself quite unfit for the role of councillor within an area that represents such a diverse range of communities and political views.
Richard Leese has engaged in a concerted campaign to smear the Palestine solidarity protesters who have assembled outside the Israeli-owned Kedem Cosmetics business. Mr Leese's comments are particularly disturbing in that he strongly implies that the protests have an anti-Semitic character. The only evidence of any violent or racist behaviour at these protests I have been able to find online has been from the counter-demonstrators, who appear to be a combination of local pro-Israeli Jewish people and EDL members (politics makes for strange bedfellows!) (See:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2Riqxsvwic ANDhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpFY3YxlXKQ). This begs the question why Richard Leese has made these unsupported allegations about only one side of this issue. Could it be that he is trying to advance a political agenda that extends quite beyond his role as a Manchester councillor? Is Councillor Leese not aware of the call from over 170 Palestinian Civil Society organisations calling for the boycott of all Israeli goods until Israel ends its illegal occupation of Palestinian land; which creates a system of apartheid condemned by the International Community and all major Human Rights Organisations? I would prefer to believe that the conduct of Councillor Leese stems not from impartiality but from ignorance. Either way, they have proven themselves quite unfit for the role of Councillor within an area that represents such a diverse range of communities and political views.
It is interesting to see that no evidence has been provided to back-up Mr Leese's claims of anti-semitic abuse from the the Pro-Palestinian side of this protest. The plain fact is that the Pro-Israel side have used the anti-Semitic smeer to shutdown protest and debate against Israel's policies for many a decade. I have attended these protests and I have witnessed no such abuse from any protestor. Any such abuse would not be tolerated by the Pro-Palestinian side who are against any form of racism and bigotry. Most of the protestors have many Jewish friends in the Boycott movement and read and listen to authoritative Jewish voices on the history and politics of the Palestinian situation. This protest and the Boycott movement has nothing to do with religion or ethnicity: It is a campaign against the ongoing illegal occupation of Palestine and the violence committed against the Gazan population.
I notice that this article does not actually mention *any* specific instance of anti-Semitic behaviour. Interesting.
There's also no mention in this article of the countless threats the pro-Israeli's have been using against the pro-Palestinian protesters - including telling them they've served in the IDF, are proud to have killed Palestinians, and if they were in Palestine or Israel they "would deal with" them. These are as close to death threats as you can get, and there's condemnation from the Council of such threats.
Wanting to boycott Israeli products from stolen Palestinian land is a right for the protesters, and educating the pubic about this is a right also. It is dangerous and ignorant to confuse this with anti-semitism.
Very true! One only has to look through the internet to see the caliber of the zionists who call us nazi's for supporting peace and calling for an end to genocide!!
Let us not forget the fact that there are many people from all walks of life and variousl religous beliefs (including atheists) who support Palestine. Up and down the country we have Neturei Karta Rabbis, Jews for Peace and many individual peace loving Jews WITH US standing shoulder to shoulder... so why would anyone shout racist remarks at zionists?
Not all Jews are zionists and not all zionists are Jews! We refer to Israeli supporters as zionists and those who are with us as Jews! This is NOT about religion or race it is about being against a political regime called zionism! British and American funded which is why zionists are literally getting away with murder!!
We will not take lessons in morality for the likes of RIchard Leese. His comments are designed to create an impression the assembly is racist and or disruptive. Of the five people arrested 4 have been released without charge! That 4 people who will bring civil action. Perhaps Richard Leese will clarify his comments? FREE FREE PALESTINE
Irresponsible fear mongering from Richard Leese. Using claims of anti-semitism to shut down any criticism of the state of Israel is demeaning to all who have suffered genuine anti-semitic abuse.
The Gaza protestors are not anti-semitic. There was one incident of some people joining them and making anti-semitic comments, after which the protestors themeselves apolgised to Kedem AND the pro-Israel protestors. They also made it clear to the people who had made the comments that it was unaccceptable. It is a public street they cannot control who joins them. This is freedom of speech in action - don't believe those who pull the anti-semitism card every time there is criticism of Israel. Israel is a state - semitism refers to the jewish religion - it's that simple.
I dont understand the anti-semite allegations as its my understanding that both Jews and Palestinians are semites.
Shame on the council making up story's and shame on this article for buying fake comments to boost it's position in search engines.
Clinton - they are spam comments that we are continually deleting, though there are number that keep getting through. Please bear with us.
I hope you wouldn't think we would pay for comments from 'office copy machine' or 'plastic surgery line'!
Thanks for reading. The MM team
The majority of you are either deaf or deluded. I have stood outside Kedem on a number of occasions and if being called a Jew Nazi isn't racist/anti semitism then perhaps you are correct!!! I can't believe that you have the gall to deny it! Pathetic.
The majority of you are either deaf or deluded. I have stood outside Kedem on a number of occasions and if being called a Jew Nazi isn't racist/anti semitism then perhaps you are correct!!! I can't believe that you have the gall to deny it! Pathetic.
Lets make one thing clear here... no one that is supporting Palestine is anti-semite! This card and lie has been played too long... we are against a political regime called zionism. Not all Jews are zionists and not all zionists are Jews. Up and down the country there are people from all walks of life protesting against the genocide being carried out by Israel. Neturei Karta Rabbis, Jews for Peace as well as many individual peace loving Jews who are equally as horrified at Israels genocide! There are zionists wearing t-shirts with a picture of an expectant Arab woman with a target over her and the brazen bragging and disgusting slogan of 'I got 2 with one bullet' So please stop playing the usual card of anti-semite it is becoming a predictable lie. Theodor Hetzl wrote in his diary:
"It is essential that the sufferings of Jews. . . become worse. . . this will assist in realization of our plans. . .I have an excellent idea. . . I shall induce anti-semites to liquidate Jewish wealth. . . The anti-semites will assist us thereby in that they will strengthen the persecution and oppression of Jews. The anti-semites shall be our best friends”.
Doctor Faul Shaul Landau, the personal secretary of Hertzel, saw to it that all of Hertzel's writings were published against the will of the other Zionists who feared the open anti-Semitic element of his writings.
The Council Leader and the Chief Constable have justifiably issued public statements about the very disturbing nature of these (now weekly) protests. The contempt with which Police Officers (and even Media City Security Staff) have been treated, as they've tried to keep order, is deplorable. It seems apparent that members of the EDL and the equally hostile UAF have simply morphed into supporters of Israel and Gaza! This appears to have transformed otherwise peaceful demonstrations (for which Manchester is famous) into near hate fests. Why are we hearing chants of "Allahu Ackbar!" and "from the river to the sea!" when shouting the former aggressively, in public, is actually a Muslim war cry and the latter, the chorus of a racist song about killing the Jews, by pushing them into the Mediterranean! These are amongst other quite vile anti semetic songs and even including one about kiling Jews at the Khybar? Will we soon see the 'Star and Juden' daubed in paint on shop windows? We look like 1938 Nazi Germany at times and at a time when militant Islam actually demands real social cohesion!
I was supporting Palestine until I realise that it's militants using Israel as a cover. They are using Israel as a target first then they want to ban us from celebrating religious holidays. These protests have a dark ulterior motive. They were totally anti Semitic how can we lie and say they aren't?! It is encouraging racial hatred I have stepped away to focus on local issue such as fracking
Richard Leese is on the money in issuing this somewhat belated council statement. The pro-Palestinian 'camp' is illegal and manned by professional layabouts intent on causing trouble. The sooner they are shifted the better. They have turned a once quiet and pleasant part of Manchester into a no-go zone for shoppers and are creating a great deal of antagonism. And if camping for 24 hours a day outside a Jewish store isn't intimidation I'd love to know that is? Residents on Police Street are suffering from the constant disturbance, and businesses must be going mental through the presence of a bunch of militant wasters with nothing to do all day but to sit on their arses, wave flags and claim they are making a difference. Ship out and don't come back to Manchester again.