Forum Topic

Did you enjoy the Hamas rocket attack in Israel?

David Wright ● 1111d18 Comments

Are you addressing this question to anyone specific? Our MP Rupa Huq perhaps? She has recent history of supporting pro Palestinian groups:https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/labour-mp-posts-photograph-of-herself-with-notorious-anti-zionist-activist-in-westminster/Not so friendly to Israel:https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/asa-winstanley/another-mp-dumps-labour-friends-israelThe great thing about the internet is that it never forgets. So not just Rupa, but other local politicians might reasonably be asked your question. At least one former MP for Ealing Central and Acton can hold her head up high:https://richardmillett.wordpress.com/2015/02/05/conservative-mp-angie-bray-empty-chairs-despicable-palestine-solidarity-campaign-event/

Vlod Barchuk ● 1111d

You seemed to outside the Windmill Pub the other night...

David Wright ● 1111d

I saw the video of what was going on on the road outside the Windmill pub. Disgraceful. Not hearing any condemnation from our local politicians. There must be CCTV footage of those celebrating the murder of innocent men, women and children, I doubt much effort is being made to identify those engaging in this illegal activity.

Vlod Barchuk ● 1110d

Which ‘innocent men, women and children’ are you referring to, as they seem to be suffering equally on both sides of this conflict.

Peter Evans ● 1108d

You know exactly which innocent men, women and children I'm referring to, but thanks for trying to deflect from Hamas's targeted murdering of civilians and from the scum chanting on Acton High Street in celebration.

Vlod Barchuk ● 1108d

Obviously an extremely emotive issue. Equally obviously, there  are obsessed, unforgiving, hard core nutters on both sides that need to be eliminated before anywhere near reasonable "Talks" can ever hope to start to begin to commence.Whether Israel provoked or not, as an individual act this was SO obviously a Terrorist attack and I'm gobsmacked the BBC don't describe it as such.Apparently, and I'm happy to be corrected, it doesn't meet the BBC's definition of "Terrorists" or something?

Rosco White ● 1107d

I think it is possible to utterly condemn the Hamas attack on Israel and her citizens, whatever language we use to describe it, while acknowledging that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians has for decades been appalling and contrary to international law.  Only by a nuanced approach recognising that both sides in this conflict have justifiable grievances will peace ever be possible.  America and the west’s unconditional support of Israel and blindness to the Palestinians’ case has fuelled conflict and violence.  Hamas may be terrorist but Palestinians are people.  And criticism of Israel is not necessarily anti-Semitic.

Alastair Banton ● 1107d

Missing the point of this thread.Earlier this week, a number of Acton residents chose to go out onto the High Street, near the Windmill Inn, and whoop and cheer and shout at the news that hundreds of people had been killed in cold blood. What does that say about the state of Acton?And what does it say that our local media has put up no story about this? And that our MP and Council have made no public statement on the matter? These questions need to be asked even though I don't expect answers to them.

Vlod Barchuk ● 1107d

I’m not sure what the point of this thread actually is.  It seems to be an oblique reference to a few people who apparently expressed delight at Hamas’s latest terrorist atrocity.  I don’t think it says anything about ‘the state of Acton’.  And I’m not sure that giving publicity to this kind of outrageous display would have gained anything except perhaps to sow hatred and division and give unwarranted recognition to the uninformed opinions of a very small minority.

Alastair Banton ● 1107d

The point is is that Hamas is a terrorist organization that runs Gaza. It is bankrolled by Iran and the vanguard of the surprise attack on Israel was led by Pakistani terrorists. Do you really think any of the leaders of this attack cared anything for civilians Jew or Muslim? Do you really think they seek a two state solution?

Maire Lowe ● 1107d

So firstly you downplay the incident by claiming there were few people involved and stating they 'apparently' expressed delight at Hamas's attack. Oh, so maybe we all have misinterpreted what was happening, huh?And then you blame those who mention it for trying to 'sow hatred and division' - talk about shooting the messenger! If the same number of people had been out in the high street cheering the murder of gays, black people or women, I doubt you, the local media and our politicians would be so quiet or reluctant to reach conclusions. Like the FA refusing to light up Wembley Stadium with the Israeli flag, the double standards are extraordinary.

Vlod Barchuk ● 1107d

People demonstrate because they seek attention, publicity for their views. They welcome press and social media attention and there are indeed ‘hard core nutters on both sides’ who want to stir things up but I believe they are a small minority, best ignored.  We live in a multi-cultural borough where, in my experience, the vast majority rub along in a friendly, tolerant way and I hope it stays that way.

Alastair Banton ● 1107d

The footage I saw - taken by Rachel Riley - showed one car-load of young men with some Palestinian flags just off the High Street.Was it more than that or for longer than a few minutes?Idiots!

Sara Nathan ● 1106d

I live on the A40 and that night was full of cars honking their horns and waving flags in celebration. It wasn't just a few idiots, it was a worrying number of idiots. 

Tania Bapuji ● 1095d

And now someone has daubed the pastry shop outside where the car-load of idiots were - with red paint.

Sara Nathan ● 1093d

Support Palestinians, denounce Hamas, support Israelis, denounce Netanyahu's government.Is that a reasonable, fair and balanced position to take?

Rosco White ● 1091d

I think so. It’s very hard.

Sara Nathan ● 1090d

It's a very common problem isn't it. People generally just try to get on with their lives peacefully and don't want trouble, except their Governments decide otherwise.Such Governments know best/better and go off on tangents doing horrible stuff that the majority of their citizens don't want and didn't agree to.

Rosco White ● 1090d