Muhammad Idrees Ahmad

While in the US, the Israel lobby is more brazen in its approch, in UK it has to work with tact, at times even venturing a word of two of criticism. Eschewing partisanship, which would be counterproductive in a climate not as dominated by the Zionist narrative as in the US, it has to maintain a facade of objectivity. Except, it would never allow any measures beyond token denunciations. In recent days, the lobby has mobilized its foot soldiers to combat civil society’s attempt to hold Israel to account for its continuing brutal repression of the Palestinian people. Take for example this piece by Joan Smith, where she purportedly gives us her ’unbiased’ critique of the boycott campaign. From reading it, you could be forgiven for thinking it is the Israelis, rather than Palestinians who are victims of oppression. What she doesn’t say however is whether her relationship with notorious ‘Israel-firster’ Denis MacShane influence her view in some way.