Scottish Council Launches Ban On Israeli Books
The latest sick chapter in the BDS story.
A SCOTTISH council has sparked outrage after banning books as part of a politically-motivated boycott on goods from Israel which critics have described as “a grossly insensitive insult”.
SNP-led West Dunbartonshire Council has ordered that its libraries ban any new volumes by Israeli authors, printed or published in the Jewish state.
It follows an earlier decision by the local authority to boycott Israeli goods and produce as part of a pro-Palestinian display.
Now, it has emerged the areas’ libraries have been told not to stock any new books from Israel.But a similar boycott move by Dundee City Council has had to be abandoned because legal experts advised such a move is illegal under EU law.
Several left-wing councils in Scotland have looked at banning Israeli products and services but almost all have rejected it.
Last night, the move was condemned by a spokesman for the Israeli Embassy.
Press attaché, Amir Oftek also made reference to the infamous events of May 10, 1933, when, encouraged by Nazi propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, crowds in Berlin burnt 25,000 books by leading Jewish authors and academics.
He said: “This must be the only organisation in the 21st century which is still banning books. Not only does it close down debate but for many Jews and others who wish to contribute to the peace process in the Middle East this is grossly insensitive.
“What happened in Europe in the 1930s should be a warning to us all. Where will this end? By burning books again?”
Meanwhile, here is West Dunbartonshire Council’s response.
West Dunbartonshire Council utterly refutes recent media claims that it has ‘launched a boycott on Israeli books’.
The Council’s boycott does not in any way seek to censor or silence authors and commentators from Israel.
The Council’s boycott only relates to goods ‘made or grown’ in Israel. The vast majority of mainstream books by Israeli authors are published in the UK and are therefore not affected by this boycott. Only books that were printed in Israel and transported to the UK for distribution would be potentially boycotted.
In the in the two and a half years the boycott has been in place there has never been a case when the library service has been unable to purchase a book it wished to as a result of this boycott.
Contrary also to some media reports the boycott is not retrospective and absolutely no books have been or will be removed from our library shelves as a consequence of the motion.
Councillors of West Dunbartonshire Council voted to introduce the boycott in 2009 in response to the disproportionate use of force used against Palestinians and resulting loss of life.
The full motion is:
‘This Council deplores the loss of life in Palestine which now numbers well over 1,000. This Council also recognises the disproportionate force used by the IDF in Palestine and agrees to boycott all Israeli goods as a consequence. Officers should immediately cease the purchase of any goods we currently source, which were made or grown in Israel. Officers should also ensure we procure no new goods or produce from Israel until this boycott is formally lifted by WDC.’
Leaving aside the ridiculous and offensive nature of the boycott itself, notice how the council talks of “disproportionate force”, without taking into account how many of the palestinians killed were terrorists (the majority) nor the culpability of these terrorists for the loss of civilian life (by using human shields, as well as residential areas as rocket launching sites). It is all black and white to them.
Meanwhile, here’s a list of the councillors behind this disgraceful motion (with their contact details). I encourage you all to contact them and let them know how you feel (phone calls to their home where possible would be the preferred option!)
Address: 17 Millburn Avenue Clydebank G81 1EW
Home Telephone: 0141 952 8954
Work Telephone: 01389 738697
Email: Denis.Agnew@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 24 Lennox Road Milton Dumbarton G82 2TL
Home Telephone: 01389 761449
Mobile: 07909 890 840
Email: George.Black@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 4 Endrick Way Alexandria G83 0UR
Home Telephone: 01389 756397
Mobile: 07803 668766
Email: James.Bollan@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: C/o Council OfficesRosebery Place Clydebank
Home Telephone: 01389 876449
Mobile: 07961 713 010
Email: Jim.Brown@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 45 Mary Fisher Crescent Lomond Gate Dumbarton G82 1BJ
Home Telephone: 01389 730983
Mobile: 07776 467 224
Email: Geoffrey.Calvert@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 28 Benbow Road Dalmuir Clydebank G81 4DP
Home Telephone: 0141 951 4595
Mobile: 07909 891 242
Email: Gail.Casey@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: c/o Council Offices Rosebery Place Clydebank G81 6EN
Home Telephone: 01389 878397
Mobile: 07961 713 007
Email: jim.finn@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: C/o Council Offices Rosebery Place Clydebank
Home Telephone: 0141 952 7636
Mobile: 07943 813 111
Email: william.hendrie@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 3 Thomson Place Glasgow Road Hardgate Clydebank G81 5QX
Home Telephone: 01389 890623
Email: Douglas.McAllister@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 48 Langlands Terrace Bellsmyre Dumbarton G82 3AZ
Home Telephone: 01389 767758
Mobile: 07961 711 664
Email: david.mcbride@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: Coltfield 1/1 Argyll Park Alexandria G83 OSE
Home Telephone: 01389 772142
Mobile: 07801 493 076
Email: Ronnie.McColl@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: Coltfield 1/1 Argyll Park Alexandria G83 OSE
Work Telephone: 01389 737511
Mobile: 07939 002 886
Fax: 0141-555-0172
Email: jonathan.mccoll@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: C/O Council Offices Rosebery Place Clydebank
Home Telephone: 01389 875073
Mobile: 07961 713 009
Email: Jim.McElhill@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 15 Hillend Crescent Duntocher Clydebank G81 6HL
Home Telephone: 01389 873186
Work Telephone: 01389 738599
Mobile: 07961 713 361
Email: Patrick.McGlinchey@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 27 Castle Avenue Balloch Alexandria G83 8HU
Home Telephone: 01389 758628
Mobile: 07920 700 954
Email: Craig.McLaughlin@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 28 Benbow Road Clydebank G81 4DP
Home Telephone: 0141 951 4595
Mobile: 07961 714 907
Email: William.McLaughlin@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 26 Langlands Terrace Dumbarton G82 3AZ
Work Telephone: 01389 738743
Mobile: 07909 891237
Email: Marie.McNair@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 240 O’Hare Bonhill Alexandria G83 9DT
Work Telephone: 01389 737882
Mobile: 07961 713 003
Email: John.Millar@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 7 Heather Avenue Hardgate Clydebank G81 6LH
Work Telephone: 01389 738704
Mobile: 07909 890842
Email: lawrence.oneill@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 191 Nobleston Estate Bonhill Alexandria G83 9DE
Home Telephone: 01389 722140
Mobile: 07884 113 254
Email: Iain.Robertson@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 136 Broomhill Crescent Bonhill Alexandria G83 9QL
Home Telephone: 01389 602562
Work Telephone: 01389 737547
Mobile: 07909 890846
Email: Martin.Rooney@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Address: 25 Second Avenue Bonhill Alexandria G83 9BH
Home Telephone: 01389 772141
Mobile: 07961 713 004
Email: May.Smillie@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: General
The Israeli Embassy should send free books to libraries and everyone in their school system.
Given the sort of books we often put out, the boycott would be in Israel's interest.
You folkk are sick heads. Absolute sick-heads, I cannot believe that you have learned notthing but bullying,
Jim.
If you can't give a reasoned argument for your comment then I suggest you either withdraw it or do what you do best, skulk off with your tail between your legs.
Perhaps you could skulk off in the general direction of a dictionary. I wouldn't expect intellectual brilliance from an SNP Councillor but basic spelling is something that should have been nailed down at school.
you mean the same scotts that allowed a mass murderer to walk free and live the life of luxury in libya?
nuke that jew hating country
Up their kilts!
What next? The dumb Councillors of Dunbartonshire will decide to boycott goods 'made or grown' in Britain because of Britain's 'disproportionate use of force' in Libya?
Hypocritical b@st@rds!!
Funny this!
I would have thought that the liberal "lefty" Israeli academics and authors being banned from voicing their "pro Palestinian propoganda" in Scotland, would be a move welcomed by the pro Israel crowd.
Instead Scotland is being condemned!
chayma 100 greetings.
one of the points i wish to make later to the scotish council via i/coool is not only their general ban which if you look at the finer points is badly thought out but they are infact stamping on peoples rights to choose you may/not/ have noticed that i have made mention in 2 places books that they should have thought of giving a ban because of the trouble they have caused/do cause and continue to cause,but to do so would be against peoples right to choose for them-selves.
i dont know if any-body has noticed but we are a very switched on country we even have gays and we dont chop their heads off for their choice of direction.
best wishes.
soloman.
@soliman4israel
"peoples rights to choose you may/not/ have noticed that i have made mention in 2 places books that they should have thought of giving a ban "
I presume you mean The Quran as one book? Well that is non starter and a moot point for me, as it's the Book I love more than any other (God's literal word to Muslims). I'd oppose that and I know my fellow Ummah would rise up with me so watch out
But even if looked at from a non Muslim point of view, it's a non starter too. First of all, those who use it to justify killing and all the other things that you mention, don't primarily do it because of The Quran, there is usually an underlying reason, and religion is used to justify. If they were not Muslim they would use another reason, (ask Pol Pot, Stalin which religious book guided them)
But above all you weaken your own case Soliman, because if they ban the Quran because some use it to justify crimes, then those same people will who want other religous books banned , they can call for banning the Torah, which they believe is superseded by the Gospels, and say it should be banned because it supports usurping land that belonged to others,
There are Christians in the world who use their religion to justify killing and mass murder, just as there are Buddhists and Hindu supremacists, and what motivated Baruch Goldstein and President Rabin's murder if not The Torah?
Either you call for all sacred texts to be banned because all believe in the supremacy of their own followers and have the potential to be used as justification to kill the non believer if they are a threat, or none. Which is it?
Don't use that vapid argument to support your case it will backfire. In Europe they see the religious right in Israel as taliban like as the Afghan taliban.
chayma 100 greetings, firstly i think you do not fully understand my comment , i draw a line between the radical use of your quran and that of the muslim people that use it without the murderous translation.BUT lets be honest a larger %of the teaching also the various mad men that promote islam do so with the quran in their hands.
but i can understand your comment even though its a looser an even smaller amount than ever before of muslims treat the book in any other way other than to use it as a be all and end to violence this you know, as well as the rest of the sane world this is not to say that all should be viewed the same they are not and should not be but it may be an idea for good followers as you to try and promote islam as strongly as those that use it for other means
you will also note that i did not promote the banning of the books i mentioned, but asked why they had not be thought of, also you will note i did say to do so would be against peoples rights.
stop radicals with the quran useing kids to kill
@Soloman
"had not be thought of, also you will note i did say to do so would be against peoples rights.
stop radicals with the quran useing kids to kill "
OK I misunderstood that, if you meant stop them, that's fine, i thought you were saying ask the Scots why they dont' call for banning the Quran. Sorry.
".BUT lets be honest a larger %of the teaching also the various mad men that promote islam do so with the quran in their hands. "
That's true, but there are also those who speak out and are more successful.
I have a question:
Let's suppose these preachers who use The Quran to rally the ignorant, were banned from even practicing Islam leave alone having a Quran or holding prayers. Do you think they and their followers would stop killing? Or do you think that they would look for another reason to justify?
suicide bombings were practiced by japanese kamikaze, by Russians in the 1st world war, by Tamil tigers and others
chayma greetings.
their radical ideas are printed firmly in their minds to add extra strength to their brainwashing the quran is forced in front of peoples faces these people as you know can quote page by page no book needed and of course the young are led with ease and you will know how the radical element works against people until they have no choice do or die no way out( they would carry on)
kamikaze scrap planes fuel for one way no bombs/guns required men/scrap planes cheaper than good planes 2way fuel guns and bombs and you are a hero for your country now that is brainwashing at its best
From the Jewish chronicle
http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/49160/plan-ban-…
That would mean unelected council staff could decide whether books by authors such as Amos Oz, David Grossman and Benny Morris are made available to readers.
West Dunbartonshire adopted a boycott of Israeli goods in 2009 after a motion was proposed by a Scottish Socialist Party councillor following the Gaza flotilla incident.
I'm not familiar with the others, but I would support a ban on Amos Oz, although he is a good writer. In fact, a general boycott of Israeli films and fiction would probably help us more than hurt us.
The flotilla incident was indeed shameful, in that we released people who tried to murder our soldiers. It was a miracle from heaven that they survived.
Please note that to correct details within the site that I was elected onto West Dunbartonshire Council in March 2011 and was therefore not one of the Councillors who made this decision
Thanks for the comment, Lawrence. And while I have you here, what do you think of the decision?
Well, if you mean this Denis Agnew (http://goo.gl/ERd5a) — according to London's Daily Express, he's a thief and a liar as well as being an idiot. Oh, and he's an actor, too! Triple idiot threat.
I will repeat, though seem to be censored as earlier post now invisible. I was elected in March 2011 and am not a member of the ruling SNP administration. I was not a Councillor when this decision was made and I would again ask that this major detail is included on the blog / website. Lawrence O’Neill
Once my details are removed I will be happy to answer the questiom Isreallycool. Apologies too as browser hadn’t noticed earlier comment and your reply. I humbly apologise for the censorship comment
Lawrence
Ok, I have removed your details. Now where do you stand on this? Do you oppose the decision?
Still awaiting your reply, Lawrence.
Hi israellycool. Time difference and the joys of being a parent prevented earlier response. I think the decision is wrong and sends the wrong message out. Unable to challenge decision at this time but happy to raise again
Thanks for the response Lawrence.
Could you be more specific about the decision being wrong. Do you think Israel is being unfairly singled out? Or do you agree that Israel committed atrocities but as a matter of policy, banning books is not a good idea?
I did not censor you, Lawrence. Your comment appeared immediately.
Yes, you have stated that already and I am letting your comment stand. But in the absence of a confirmation that you oppose the decision, I will NOT include this as part of my post. But if you come forward and unequivocally condemn the decision, I will be glad to.
[youtube K8E_zMLCRNg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8E_zMLCRNg youtube]
lol
So they will mark them with what, ywllow stars with "Israel" in the middle in black?
(Courtesy a guy on the Five Towns list, which bans politics.)
[...] Earlier this week, I posted about the West Dunbartonshire Council ban on Israeli books, due to what it termed ”the loss [...]
As the Council proposes to ban books that originate in Israel presumably they will be removing the Bible from all schools and libraries?
They still haven't gotten over Gladstone vs. Disraeli?
[...] You may remember these dummies as the ones that have vowed not to buy any more Jew products, sorry Israeli products or produce:I was just wondering if you’d like to buy some excellent AMD Processor computers? We have [...]
New post on this topic:
http://www.israellycool.com/2011/05/29/hey-you-wa…
[...] that include Bibles? After all, they were not only printed but written in Israel.See here and here for further treatments by friends.Don’t you think that’s quite [...]
thank you for your support, we are fighting the boycott up here in Scotland and hope to have it overturn some day by constant pressure and through legal means.
Best wishes
Renaud
perhaps the council should deplore the loss of life worl-wide by terrorists and remove the particular book that has caused and continues to cause most if not all of the murders/bombs/and other forms of murder that radical islam followes.
the same book that its followers not only kill for, brain wash, and threaten any-body weaker than them,but use drug sales/kidnap/child prostitution/blakmail forced collection of funds to follow their warped path of becoming the only rulers world-wide ah but the race that stands in their way and they wish to wipe out first has a boycott against us but of course if they removed the book of which i speak scotland knows that they would have big trouble on their hands and of course they are scared but it does not matter about our rights we are only jews and others to have the freedom of our writings/produce.
Soloman,
Sorry, I was tucking my good lady in.
I am "scared" of nothing. My problem is that Jewish folk have taken exception to a political decision against the Israeli State and are accusing me and my colleagues of being antri-Jewish. This is not the case.
I harbour no anti-Semitiism.
best wishes,
Jim McElhill
jim greetings,
thank you for your comment to me, at no time have i stated that you or your colleagues are anti jewish or harbour any anti semitism,how would i know what is rearly in each persons mind and their reasons for their actions of which there could be many.
your history with the british goes back some 500 years i understand, if they decided to boycott your books/goods what would you call that?quite a lot of your people would straight away say anti scotish but who knows what is rearly in peoples minds.
did scotland boycott hitlers rantings put to print or wer'e 6,000,000,plus people not a good enough cause.
i have to thank you for your comment and i hope you receive my reply which holds no bad feelings but i do feel that it has prompted me to offer your council members some further thoughts but i shall have to post those later.
thank you once again for your comment.
best wishes.
soloman.
in my reply to mr jim mc elhill. (.6,000,000.plus people) that this comment also includes the non jewish people that died at the hands of hitlers murdering nazi war machine.
thank you.
[...] blogger, Aussie Dave from Israellycool has been following this story since it’s inception.- Scottish Council Launches Ban On Israeli Books- Follow Up On The Dumbies of Dunbartonshire Council- Jim McElhill of West Dunbartonshire Council [...]
[...] Jameel of the Muqata blog has been following the West Dunbartonshire Council decision to ban books from Israel (not to mention the shenanigans of some of the councillors), and has come up with a plan: a [...]
This post constitutes a form of harassment, and of inciting further harassment. You might also note that these councillors are answerable to the constitutents of the areas they represent within West Dunbartonshire, and not people outwith those bounds who seek to meddle in affairs that should not concern them.
an englishman,an israeli/jew, and a west dunbartshire council man.
all in a pow camp about to be whipped.
they ask the englishman what? would you like rubbed into your back before we start.
a cup of tea he replies, but it did no good the pain was too much and he fell to the floor in pain.
next they ask the jew the same question.
nothing he replies,and after a good thrashing the jew is still standing.
then they ask the council man,what would you like on your back?
the jew he replies.
[...] right, folks. In that second mail, Bollan – the councillor who brought forward the motion to ban books from Israel to begin with – actually called Hamas “freedom fighters.”This flies [...]
[...] of blogs have been following the ban on Israeli books in the Scottish town of West Dunbartonshire. Israellycool has had a bunch of posts, The Muqata is organizing a counter-boycott of Scotch whiskey, and the [...]
The Nuclear Free and Free Socialist State of West Dumbartonshire has been a bunch of far left nuts for years, while drawing their council salaries plus any fiddles they could muster. I'm nor surprised to read this story (in the Sunday Herald) today.
As other posters have commented, let's not mention the constant attacks on Israelli border towns and the terrorist raids and bombs, until the wall was built.
Maybe they could now blacklist Syria, Yemen, Egypt.
Sorry the SNP group has not flung this policy out. We, the Scots are not anti-semitic, but this gives us a bad, bad name.
If only we ( Scotland) were as strong and able to stand up for ourselves as Israel.
[...] great Whisky Counter Boycott, initiated by Jameel of The Muqata, designed to hit the ignoramuses of West Dunbartonshire Council where it hurts.Jameel informs by mail that there’s progress!The Morrison Bowmore Distillery [...]
This is an email I sent to <mediateam@drinkaware.co.uk>
Greetings from New Zealand
Although your product is excellent I regret to advise that I will not drink a drop of your whisky or purchase any other item that comes from Scotland, and I will encourage others to do the same. This is because the West Dunbartonsire Council has placed a boycott on Israel and denies her the right to defend her citizens from terrorist attacks.
I have been in tedious contact with Mr Jim Bollan of the council and it is clear that he is not particularly bright, does not want the facts to get in the way of his prejudice, and that despite his colossal ignorance about the Middle East he is convinced his anti-Semitic actions are justified.
Since the West Dunbartonsire Council acts as if it is a law unto itself then perhaps you could acquaint them with commercial and political reality. If you can effect a change then I am sure the mounting international boycott would be lifted with a toast to your good health and then we all could all get on with life and mind our own business.
John Moir
Please suggest any other email addresses I should send this email to.
[...] a while since I mentioned Scotland’s West Dunbartonshire Council and its decision to ban books from Israel. The whisky counter boycott seems to be going well, and has received a fair bit of coverage [...]