The Israelites
Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 02:20PM 
David has asked me to write an account of my attendance at this morning's rally for Israel in Manchester. To be in the presence of between 1,500 and 2,000 Jews and Christians (I don't go in for statistical exaggeration; I leave that to the BBC) in Albert Square was heartwarming. I was there with a family member and two friends in what seemed like the coldest January morning for 2 million years.
We were told to be in Albert Square (the one in front of Manchester City Hall as opposed to the one in East Enders) no later that 10:40. The rally was scheduled to take place between 11am and 12-noon. When we arrived at 10:25 there was hardly anyone there. Marshals from CST welcomed us and directed us towards the podium where prominent speakers had started to gather. However, by 10:45 the entire square was packed out. As we stood there familiarising ourselves with Jews and Christians who had come from places such as Middlesbrough, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Hull, we heard a commotion from beyond the podium. Suddenly there came into view something like 200 pro-Palestinian demonstrators who were only prevented from attacking our crowd by the strong presence of Greater Manchester Police.
Several of us climbed on to Prince Albert's memorial to get a good look at the opposition. I would say around a quarter were your typical long-haired, wooden-beaded student types. The remainder were made up of our Muslim 'friends' who'd taken an hour out of their breeding time to come into the city in a vain attempt to either silence our rally or disrupt it altogether. They succeeded in doing neither. There was such a difference in the conduct of our respective rallies. Whilst ours was largely good-natured and respectful of the speakers who'd come to show their solidarity, the pro-Pally scum were viscerally anti-Semitic - hurling insults and abuse across the police lines from the other side of Cross Street. The PA system brought along for the rally was so powerful, it managed to obliterate the disgraceful chanting from the Hamas apostles. The only direct response they got came from the likes of myself and around 50 other people who chanted '1, 2', 3' 4, never Pal-es-tine no more' from our brief vantage point on the Albert Memorial.
Just before the rally commenced, we positioned ourselves next to two guys from Warrington who held up a banner with the words 'Christians for Israel'. As the first speaker, Jonathan Roe, was about to take his position on the podium, there was a kerfuffle to my left. Some Islamic scumbag had managed to enter Manchester City Hall; climb on to a ledge outside a first-floor window; and unfurl a Palestinian flag, which he waved provocatively at the crowd below. He was quickly dragged back inside by security officers, and I think the security firm involved will have some very searching questions to answer tomorrow morning when normal council business resumes.
We had a message of support from the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCullogh; as well as a rousing speech from the Deputy Ambassador of Israel, Mrs Talya Lador-Fresher. Political representation was afforded by Louise Ellman MP, Ivan Lewis MP and the former MP for Rochdale, Lorna Fitzsimons. Their messages were similar: what country is expected to endure continuous terrorist attacks for years at a time and sit by doing nothing? There will be no peace in the Middle East until the Arab world collectively recognises the right of the Jewish people to live at peace in an Israeli State afforded the full trappings of unanimous recognition. The rally ended with God Save the Queen followed by the National Anthem of Israel, Hatikva (meaning 'Hope'). Indeed, it was interesting to see how many Jews were also carrying Union Flags. As we began to depart I turned to a Jewish lady from Liverpool and said how pleased I was to see so many Jews proudly waving the Union Flag. She replied (in a broad Scouse accent):
'Well darlin', that's the difference between this crowd and the one across the street. We're loyal to this country. They just want to take it over.'
Some food for thought for ATW readers in the coming weeks and months. It was a great success. No rioting, no vandalism, no abuse, no burning of Palestinian flags. There's a lot more than just national loyalty that differentiated us from the rabble across the street.
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Reader Comments (35)
Andrew,
First, well done on attending the rally, and second thanks for that report.
I attended the Peace rally today. I was proud to be part of it. How different from yesterday's violent protest. A charity was collecting for the hospitals of Israel and Gaza. The rally was peaceful and the speakers - Ivan Lewis MP, Louise Ellman MP, the Council for Christians and Jews and the Rabbis, all spoke passionately as they called for Peace in the region, which can only be achieved if Hamas recognises Israel's right to exist and stops firing rockets (8000 in 8 years).
I wonder how Galloway, Livingstone and their cronies would react if 8000 rockets were launched at London. Israel has a right to protect her citizens. No one wants the loss of innocent life, but when Hamas terrorists hide out in civilian areas - schools, mosques, hospitals, and put Palestinian lives at risk, unfortunately the loss of innocents is inevitable.
As usual the news coverage is as biased as ever. Rather than showing pictures of the peaceful Rallies in London and Manchester, Sky and the BBC chose to give more coverage to the pro-Hamas protestors.
"Their messages were similar: what country is expected to endure continuous terrorist attacks for years at a time and sit by doing nothing?"
As I hasten to make clear, I probably know the least about the Hamas and Isreal thing of any that have commented in these threads but this point doesn't seem to have been addressed by those most critical of Isreal.
I take no pleasure in loss of life (even of the guilty) and no entire population is guilty of anything, especially the children, the insane and the intellectually subnormal but the question still remains, what can Isreal to protect itself?
I seem to remember hearing that Laura Fitzsimmons has had death threats in the past.
Laura, I would say that a lot of the reason that the pro Hamas and/or anti Isreal protesters were given more publicity was probably because they were making more of a stir. Andrew and you clearly were too civilised ;o)
The contrast is there before us: a rally of decent people in support of a decent country versus a slick of scum and flotsam in support of terrorism. It is as clear-cut as that.
Allan
Spot on!
The Israeli need to ally with the British National Party.
Andrew,
Great report I am envious of your descriptive abilities.
The difference was plain to see civilized vs uncivilized.
Andrew touched on a point that I want to emphasize, Someone was able to breach the security of the council building.
How do we know he didn't plant a bomb?
Everyone of those on the pro palli side is a potential self-exploder or as like their IRA scum bucket cousins a bomb planter.
just something for council to ponder as they go to their offices in the morning.
Since when did Andrew condone a lack of flag-burning?
You can be in favour of Israel. And you can be in favour of peace. But you can't be both.
jaz that is ridiculous, but to hell with peace it has never existed since man first left his print in the sand.
It's a fantasy.
You can be in favour of Israel and in favour of peace but if you support and defend Hamas you are in favour of neither.
>>No one wants the loss of innocent life, <<
Oh, Laura, how could you say such a silly thing on a site like ATW!
Some here actually do "applaud every one of the Gaza deaths" (Mike Cunningham today)
Some think there are no innocents there at all (Poosh, Troll)
Others believe that, while there are innocents there, none of them have been killed yet!
Some concede there have indeed been innocents killed, but that they were all killed by Hamas (David Vance today)
The strange thing perhaps is that all the above seem to easily agree with each other!
On another note: many here will seethe with the rage of the vindicated when I tell you I was at the head of a pro-Hamas demonstration yesterday.
They will of course never believe me when I add that my presence there was entirely unintended and, what's more, I didn't at all like what I saw/heard at the rally.
Nevertheless it's true. My sister was flying in from Australia and I had arranged to meet her at the entrance to Cologne Cathedral (directly beside the train station). Each of us was to bring his/her respective kids.
When I and mine showed up we found the entire place in front of this ancient house of God inundated with rowdy protestors waiving flags of alien faiths and lands.
(although there was a sober and informative exhibition with maps on the periphery)
To make matters worse, the speakers had stood up on the step in front of the main doors to address the crowd - exactly where I had my rendezvous.
An appointment is an appointment, however, and I had no choice but to put one son on my shoulders and drag the other through the angry crowd towards the entrance, where we arranged ourselves beside the gentlemen speakers.
Ah, how I wished Richard and William and a dozen others could just see me there!
The speeches I heard were, however, quite silly and ugly. A lot was simply against Israel per se, and some were frankly anti-Jewish. One speaker in the end called for all listeners to boycott all Jewish businesses in the city, which in a German town is a rather tasteless remark to say the least.
At that point the police moved in (such crimes are strictly enforced in Germany) and I had to withdraw inside the church for our safety, where I was surprised to find sis and children looking so radiant in front of the crib!
Life can throw up funny situations.
I must admit to sharing your take on all of this Noel. Of course we are just Jew hating fedayeen at heart really.
"One speaker in the end called for all listeners to boycott all Jewish businesses in the city, which in a German town is a rather tasteless remark to say the least."
Whereas 'Israeli Murder Machine' on the Net is perfectly acceptable as long as you aren't a German?
Excellent comment Noel. Proving that you have a greater balance and willingness to be critical where it is necessary than the simplistic narrow minded fanaticism that I have read from mainly the Pro-Israeli but also some anti-Israeli commenters here.
Colm -
Aye.
On the one hand Israel is a peaceful nation of laws which is defending itself.
On the other, Hamas is dedicated to the elimination of Jews wherever they are.
Clearly it's important to strike a balance between the two.
"On the other, Hamas is dedicated to the elimination of Jews wherever they are."
Another lie from you Pete. Show the evidence that Hamas seeks the elimination of the Jews.
Pete
Noel has made crystal clear that he opposes Isareli actions and supports the people of Gaza dn their resistance to Israeli action, yet he was also able to be deeply critical of the sentiments expressed by a crowd of Pro-Palestinians. I see nothing wrong with praising him for having the broad mindedness and independence to do that. It is a more mature attitude than the blinkered fanatical 'never criticise my side always attack everything about the other side' mentality that has been so pervasive on ATW re this recent conflict.
Colm:
"It is a more mature attitude than the blinkered fanatical 'never criticise my side always attack everything about the other side' mentality that has been so pervasive on ATW re this recent conflict."
Hear, hear. I believe "juvenile" was the term I used.
Seamus -
Grow up. How much evidence do you need?
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=hamas+extermination+of+jews&meta=
Colm -
Noel Cunningham is an intellient and thoughtful chap, but also mischievous. His words often obscure more than they reveal.
You see I think his criticism of what he heard in Cologne was pretty cheap. I think he offered it up to demonstrate what an even-minded fella he is. However his real intention is to obscure the case that between a peaceful nation of laws and genocidal fanaticism, he can't bring himself to unconditionally condemn genocidal fanaticism.
He's pretending to criticise Hamas and its cheerleaders without getting onto anything of substance.
He fools you, but not me.
And Pete if you Google Israeli extermination of Muslims you get over 3 times the amount of articles. Show me evidence that Hamas plans to exterminate Jews, if you can.
The evidence that HAMAS seeks the elimination of the Jews http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=%7B0B687559-B469-4F4F-B307-ACEC42C3F5E4%7D
Shaven, that is evidence that two anti-Semetic Muslim clerics in Palestine want the extermination of the Jews. Show me evidence that Hamas wants the extermination of the Jews.
>>However his real intention is to obscure the case that between a peaceful nation of laws and genocidal fanaticism, he can't bring himself to unconditionally condemn genocidal fanaticism.<<
LOL!! Pete, you overestimate me, in more ways than one.
I actually wrote it because that is exactly how it happened - my small part in this universal day of protest. I also couldn't but think of the ATW crowd and the recent debates at the time and smile!
But Israel is at the moment anything but a "peaceful nation of laws". It is in fact a very aggressive and war-like nation of laws, notwithstanding its great merits (I have said many times here I consider it, in general, the most admirable country in the ME)
Believe me, if a well-equipped Arab army had now invaded Israel and killed up to 1000 of its soldiers and civilians while losing around 20 of its own in a heinous demonstration of might over right, I would be just as vehement in my condemnation of that Arab army and its backers.
But it's Israel that is occupying another land and playing the bully in this conflict. On this site people are also calling for, and celebrating, the deaths of innocent people.
I despise "genocidal fanaticism" wherever I see it, whether expressed at a Hamas demo or on the pages of ATW.
Noel Cunningham -
Yep, you're very enlightened. And generous. But then does it test liberal credentials to see that Israel is - in general - the most admirable country in the ME?
Which country - in general - did it pip into second place? Baathist Syria? Monarchical Jordan? Corrupt, oppressive Egypt? Wahhabist, monarchical Saudia Arabia?
Yes, what a close race that must have been.
Pete
You prove my point.
Hamas believes that the extermination of the Jews is for the benefit of humanity
http://www.iris.org.il/blog/archives/2332-Hamas-Extermination-of-Jews-is-for-Benefit-of-Humanity.html
"Which country - in general - did it pip into second place? Baathist Syria? Monarchical Jordan? Corrupt, oppressive Egypt? Wahhabist, monarchical Saudia Arabia? "
Yes Pete, but if we had a contest to discuss whether you wanted Syphilis, AIDS, Gonorrhea, Genital Herpes or Chlamydia, then I would imagine that most people wouldn't want any of them but there is bound to be the least worst. Just because Israel is the least worst state in the Middle East does not mean that it is a good state.
Shaven, have you a copy of that article so I can read it for myself or should I just read the Pro Israeli interpretation of it?
Pete, one of my indirect clients is the Weizmann Institute in Israel, so probably more than most I am aware that Israel's greatest contribution to mankind is not smashing Arab skulls.
"Which country - in general - did it pip into second place? Baathist Syria? ..
Yes, what a close race that must have been."
Well, even in a one-horse race, someone has to come second.
And actually that race may actually be tightening: Anyone see the plans for the new Abu Dhabi island of museums, including a branch of the Louvre, a Guggenheim museum and the largest collection of Art Deco artefacts in the world?
Hate to disappooint you guys, but it doesn't look like you'll have your Clash of Civilisations there
Noel Cunningham -
Any word on how the Jewish population in the UAE is looking forward to these developments?
By the way, I know the Emirates. Yes, they've built a steel and glass facade and have adopted all those baubles that attract the gauche and tasteless.
But underneath all that they're still the same old chauvinistic camel jockeys.
>>have adopted all those baubles that attract the gauche and tasteless.<<
>>Any word on how the Jewish population in the UAE is looking forward to these developments?<<
Well, I'm sure they'll give a heartfelt Mazal Tov to the Guggenheims and the Jewish architect of their great new musuem!
Speaking of whom, Frank Gehry is anything but gauche and tasteless. Why, ask Patty!
And after that maybe you'd try shooting a ball into MY goal for once! :)
And after that maybe you'd try shooting a ball into MY goal for once! :)
Noel, is that a gay come on to Pete :)
Noel Cunningham -
Yes, it was worthy of note at the time that a Jew had been commissioned. Why was it worthy of note?
And do get around to telling us what the Jewish population of the Emirates thinks, if there is one.