Xenophobia and Pilgrim Hall

The Pilgrim Hall conference of the Next Century Foundation was just held to address post Annapolis peace process issues. It was very succesful. Amongst related issues addressed was that of xenophobia and the conference was addressed by Dr David Hirsh, Goldsmith's College, Univ of London; Editor, Engageonline.com; Academic Committee, Interdisciplinary Initiative for the Study of Global Antisemitism, Yale University, will address the issue of xenophobia and its negative impact on peace.

David spoke of increasing levels of antisemitism in Britain. However, there are increasing levels of antisemitism worldwide - and most certainly in the Middle East. Our good friend Felix recently sent us this item in which the speaker of the Palestinian parliament describes the Jewish people as the "brothers of the pigs". So sick and sad to see this happening again. HAVING SAID WHICH - the speaker of the Palestinian Parliament was a VERY MODERATE Hamas man. Israel arrested him without charge and he was replaced with this extremist. Tell me someone - Why arrest the moderates? God only knows. What is salutory is that the Israeli- Palestinian Anti Incitement Committee, which had been shut down (rather foolishly let it be said) by Israel - is now to be reopened under the terms of the Annapolis agreement.

TO VIEW THE ITEM THAT CONCERNED FELIX CLICK HERE

Europe's core values

Terry Newman submits this article asking for NCF comments. William asks if this article idicates a double standard whereby the male orthodox Jewish community in North East London wearing homburg hats and frock coats is acceptable whilst the Moslem girls in Bradford who choose to veil their faces are behaving badly.

Europeans need to initiate dialogue on core values in order to define identity - Terry Newman, Nir Boms - Published: 01.09.07

Europe is rapidly growing. Facing immigration, new member states and continued enlargement talks, Europe finds itself asking an old question again: What is Europe about? The answer has to do with values – with core European values that need to be expressed in the positive in order for them to be a driving force in a renewing Europe.

Europe needs to initiate dialogue on its core values in order to define and defend acceptable interpretations from the vulgar. Without this dialogue, words like tolerance, individual freedoms or respect for reason might lose some of their meaning. The label on the wine bottle will stay but the wine will go sour.

TO VIEW FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE

Moroccan journalists face 5 years' jail for joke

Ian Black, Middle East editor - Tuesday January 9, 2007 The Guardian

Retelling other people's jokes can have serious consequences, as two Moroccan journalists have found to their cost as they face charges of insulting Islam and offending public morality - and a possible prison sentence of up to five years.

The case against the Arabic weekly Nichane has serious implications for press freedom and highlights tensions between hopes for liberalisation and Islamist opinion outraged by what the magazine says was a harmless survey of the nation's sense of humour.

TO VIEW FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE

Save us from the sovereignty of the mob

This item was sent round by Chris Doyle of Caabu. Simon Jenkins argues that there are limits to what is acceptable in the press on grounds of taste.

"I could not bring Monday's Guardian into my house. I have a problem with pictures of hanged, broken-necked men looking at me across the freshly squeezed orange juice. I would have the same trouble with limbs being chopped off, children mangled by dogs, and the new America cult of police CCTV footage of murders, muggings, rapes and car crashes. When the government sells the broadcasting rights to John Reid's 100 Best ID Cards and Patricia Hewitt's Most Ghoulish NHS Record of the Week, I shall also turn my head away."

TO VIEW FULL REPORT CLICK HERE

Objectivity

The Independent (UK) interviews BBC Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen on the challenges of objective reporting

Jeremy Bowen: The man in the middle
The Independent
December 11, 2006