Jim McElhill of West Dunbartonshire Council Leaving Nasty Comments Here
Update: Title of post changed to reflect fact this is no longer a question.
You will recall I posted about some correspondence I had with one of the councillors of Scotland’s West Dunbartonshire Council, which has banned books from Israel. The councillor in question, Lawrence O’Neill, promised to bring up the issue at a council meeting last week, but despite my repeated emails to him asking for an update, I have received no response from him.
But this is nothing compared to the responses I have received from someone purporting to be another councillor, Jim McElhill. He has posted a number of comments on this blog, ranging from juevenile to insulting.
When commenter Jameel suggested we boycott Scottish Whiskeys from the West Dunbartonshire region, the commenter responded:
Will you then stop using the telephone and television both of which were pioneered in Dunbartonshire?
When another commenter disputed this:
telephone was invented simultaneously in America by a man named Elisha Gray…Bell was just lucky in that he got his version to the US patent office first. They fought huge legal battles in the decades to come. Don’t take credit you do not entirely deserve. Also, I would like to see you boycott the intel chip, any sort of Instant messaging technology, the cherry tomato, and USB flash drives, all of which were pioneered in Israel.
..the commenter composed this reply, which sounded more like it came from a fourth grader (who wasn’t paying attention during English class)
Wow.
I dont like cherry tomatoes although my good lady loves them.
Penicillan? Anaethetic?
This isnt a beauty contest! I will end up embarrassing you!
please dont,
There were more insulting comments, such as:
iIdiot.
(It is pretty telling – and ironic – when you can’t even spell that word)
..and some vitriol directed towards me, such as:
I am allowed to post an email to the dummy of Israellycool?
And:
Hi dummy of Isarelicool, Would you like to converse or are you the cowardly racist thug that I cxonsider you to be.
And:
Tomorrow is no problem facsit guy.
And:
Ach well. It’s bedtime for me racist dummy, I hope you wake up with even a modicum of humanity within your prejudiced self.
You will notice I posted someone “purporting to be” Jim McElhill, because there is a possibility it is not really him, and I do not feel like exposing myself to a potential lawsuit. But the person who left all these nasty comments has the following IP information:
Paisely does happen to be in West Dunbarton, Scotland, so this commenter could very well be Jim McElhill.
Hence the reason for my post. If this uneducated sounding commenter who has thrown petty insults my way and accused me of racism (solely because I took the council to task for banning books from Israel and encouraged people to contact them about it) is impersonating councillor Jim McElhill, this post will hopefully help make Mr McElhill aware of this.
And if this commenter is indeed Mr McElhill, this post will hopefully make his constituents aware of the kind of person representing them.
Update: I think it’s now fair to assume the real Jim McElhill has been commenting on this blog. Here is his response, sent to me via mail:
Hello Folks
Thanks for your emails and I hope you don’t mind my responding to you in a collective fashion given the general nature of the subject. I have tried to respond to one Israeli terrorist who has been threatening me and my family but he uses a bogus email and I am not able to respond to him.
I initially decided not to respond to emails I had been receiving re the decision of West Dunbartonshire Council in January 2009 to boycott goods made in Israel and did so for several reasons.
Firstly, the attitude of many in some Friends of Israel blogs has been puerile and lacking all humanity to the point of being racist and fascist.
Secondly, I have noticed that whenever anyone has made an attempt to have a dialogue in those Friends of Israel blogs he is attacked as an anti-semitic, jew-hating fascist whose best friend is the “swastika under his sporran” and such like. Some friends of Israel, particularly in England, are clearly not averse to stereotypying and caricaturing a whole nation of people, which is rather ironic.
Thirdly, but not last , I simply want to point out some facts to you. And I do so as a conscientious and caring human being in the knowledge that said blogs and press and media are, in effect, informing children in Israel that Jewish books are being banned from libraries in Scotland and burnt on the streets of West Dunbartonshire. I therefore greatly empathise with any such Israeli children who might believe that to be the case due to misinformation from their elders and the psychological damage that these so-called elders are inflicting on their young minds.
A young mind is a young mind whether Israeli, Palestinian or Scottish. All have equal rights and worth without exception. That “We’re all Jock Tamson’s Bairns” isn’t just a phrase but a deep hearted feeling and I wish the people of Israel nothing but well.
It does though concern me that if the Friends of Israel, particularly in England, think that by attacking people for being Scottish is a good idea, then they lack something more than a basic education. Much of it has been putrid.
Another reason for my response is that despite your strong and somewhat colourful words, I am disappointed that human beings can think in such an insular and aggressive way against fellow human beings to the point of threatening violence against their family and children.
Shame on each and every one of you that has done so.
However, this response is not for bigots.
And just to point out for your own information. I have received emails condemning the decision of the Council and also in support of the Council’s decision , although very few in either way.
First, I should say that contrary to what a right wing English newspaper reported a couple of weeks ago, which has been repeated in the Israeli Press and in some of the Friends of Israel Blogs there was one Motion and only one Motion tabled at our Council meeting in January, 2009. This Motion was to boycott goods made in Israel.
It was not followed up by another later Motion to ban books. No second Motion occurred and those sources that suggest otherwise are inaccurate.
Anti-SNP Bias from Friends of Israel, particularly in England.
West Dunbartonshire Council comprises 22 elected councillors. When the vote was taken in January 2009 there were 9 SNP councillors, 9 Labour, 1 Scottish Socialist and three Independent councillors (no party affiliation). All 22 councillors agreed the Motion without dissent from anyone.
How anyone can interpret that as a specifically SNP inspired move, (As Friends of Israel do, particularly in England) can only be lead by their own prejudice.
Indeed, the Motion was actually tabled by the one Socialist councillor.
The Friends of Israel, peculiar to England, seem to have a more misinformed or dishonest agenda. (Perhaps the English wing are concerned that their lights will go out in England etc. when Scotland becomes Independent)
In local government, any councillor is entitled to table any Motion on any issue that he or she wants. He or she simply has to receive agreement from the Chief Legal Officer that the Motion is competent and legal and the Motion then appears on the Council agenda for a decision. No other councillor has a say on the matter.
No member of staff raises Motions but simply implement the policy of the Council as defined by the 22 elected councillors. Any attacks on members of staff is simply misdirected.
My preference is for Motions to the Council to be pertinent to the local community and in the interests of the local community, which is what, I believe, we are elected to do. However, occasionally Motions are tabled which are more of a national, pan-European or International interest, which in a sense does impact on the local community in some way or other.
Other examples of Councils discussing matters of an international nature is the participation of the UK in the invasion of Iraq. Many here consider that that invasion was illegal, was not sanctioned by the UN and that Tony Blair (The former UK Prime Minister) lied about it and should be tried in Court as a war criminal.
Perhaps a more pertinent example with the current boycott of Israeli goods is when Councils all over the country, including my own, agreed to boycott goods from South Africa when apartheid existed in that country and blacks were oppressed and inhumanely treated by a racist white regime.
It was, of course, a Motion against apartheid and not against white people world-wide and the more recent Motion by West Dunbartonshire Council was a Motion against Israeli Foreign Policy and Israeli aggression and not against Jewish folk world-wide or otherwise.
It has nothing to do with being anti-Semitic or anti-Jewish. Israeli folk and those closely associated with the Israeli State might understandably be offended by it, but it has nothing to do with anti-Semitism and to claim otherwise is just plain wrong.
Any claims of anti-Semitism in West Dunbartonshire or Scotland is spurious and an appalling misrepresentation of the facts.
I say this because some in the Friends of Israel Movement, particularly in England, are claiming that it was an SNP inspired Motion when in fact it wasn‘t. Comments that we wear a “swastika under our sporrans” and that we are Nazi’s and Fascists is simply daft.
As I say, the Motion was tabled by a Scottish Socialist councillor and agreed by the entire 22-person Council, nine of which were SNP. I do, of course, assume that the average Israeli child has a better understanding of arithmatics than some in the Friends of Israel Blogs that I have had the misfortune to read.
However, why let the facts get in the way of a good story and the Friends of Israel movement, particularly in England, prefer to dress up the issue in an anti-SNP manner. And their anti-SNP sentiments in emails and blogs are very extreme to say the least.
On a slightly more personal note concerning question as to why West Dunbartonshire Council has not raised Motions on other areas of the world.
I hope the above explains the situations in that individual councillors and political groups raise Motions and not the Council as a whole. The Council makes a decision on all the Motions raised by councillors. No Motion has been tabled by a councillor on many of the areas of the world sometimes referred to, such as Darfur, but others have been. If an issue is raised we discuss it; if an issue is not raised we don’t discuss it.
Concerning additional suggestions that only Israel’s Foreign Policy has been raised by our Council because the people there-in are largely Jewish is simply wrong. I am not anti-Jewish, never have been and never will be. I also don’t believe for a second that any other member of West Dunbartonshire Council is anti-Semitic. Such an allegation is absolute nonsense.
The Nazi holocaust of Jewish folk in Europe turns my stomach and still makes me angry that human beings are capable of such an atrocity. We have very informative TV documentary coverage of that abomination and our children are educated about it. It is horror writ-large with no comparison in history.
It is also, my understanding that Jewish organisations in Scotland have no problem with anti-Semitism and that Jewish people here are as much valued as anyone else. We have not had a history of anti-Semitism throughout our history. Jewish folk were expelled from France and England and numerous other countries throughout history but never from Scotland. Leading Jewish figures here have said in the past that Scotland is a land free of anti-Jewish propaganda unlike no other in Europe.
I therefore find it sad that Scottish people are being portrayed by Friends of Israel, particularly in England, as being anti-Jewish when nothing could be further from the truth.
I very much distinguish between the State of Israel and Judaism.
Why then was the Motion raised at all?
In recent years the world has been horrified by some of the actions of Israeli foreign policy and at that time Israel was being condemned internationally. That’s why.
I had no idea until recently that the councillor who tabled the Motion was involved in a Palestinian organisation. However, in all honesty, had I known at the time, I would still have agreed with the Motion. His involvement with a Palestinian organisation might have inspired him to table the Motion but the actions of Israel at that time were unacceptable to me and they remain unacceptable in some aspects. They are unacceptable to most of the international community. It is this condemnation of the Israeli State’s foreign policy that is increasing; not simply anti-Semitism.
It is Israel, not Scotland, that is flouting International law and ignoring UN resolutions regarding Gaza and the West Bank. I am perfectly entitled to criticize bad foreign policy in Israel, just as I criticise some foreign policy decisions of the UK, USA, France, China and many of the Arab States whose attitude towards Israel is disgusting.
Religion plays no part in my decision-making on international events.
I do, however, notice that Barak Obama and Amnesty International, among others, are also being vilified by some of those Friends of Israel sites.
Goods
Of course, it goes without saying that no-one has denigrated Israel’s contribution to the world of science and literature and culture. Indeed, I am aware that Israel is at the forefront of many technologies that benefit your immediate neighbours and the world. Scotland too has produced a great many scientists, inventors, discoverers and literary giants. I don’t consider it all that important but the Friends of Israel seem to have expanded their anti-SNP prejudices, particularly in England, with a wider racist denigration of the entire Scottish nation. Apparently Scots only produce “whisky and haggis” to use one of the less offensive comments.
I’m not aware of anyone in West Dunbartonshire having a go at any political party in Israel and I’m not aware of anyone in West Dunbartonshire having a go at the entire Israeli nation. However, a great many Friends of Israel, particularly in England, are indeed being racist and using stereotypical words against all Scots that they would vitriolically oppose being used against themselves.
Such is hypocracy!
In conclusion. This Council decision was made in January 2009 and I‘m surprised that it became an issue in May, 2011. We had elections to our Scottish parliament in May and I suspect that British Nationalist forces were attempting to hold the UK together by portraying this decision as an SNP-led one, which it clearly wasn‘t. They obviously missed the bus.
In the event, the SNP secured a majority in the Scottish parliament. The first party ever to do so and we are heading for self-determination, and so yes, maybe we do naturally favour the underdog and the oppressed as they strive for self-determination for their nation. This has nothing whatsoever to do with religion and certainly isn’t anti Semitic. It is a view that all countries should have self-determination if they want it and that they should live in peace with their neighbours, and in that respect we have a lot of empathy with Israel.
Personally, I support self-determination for the Welsh, Irish, Basques, Catalans, Bretons, Tamils, Flemish, Walloons, and numerous others besides throughout the world. I do, however oppose any use of discrimination and violence against innocent people for any reason.
The Friends of Israel, particularly in England, should read the literature of the British National Party (BNP) and other English nationalist political parties. They will then see that these groups are indeed anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim, anti-black, anti-Catholic and anti everyone else that isn’t a WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) They should then compare that to Scottish National Party literature which abhors racism and sectarianism in any shape or form.
I do recognise the difficulties faced by Israel from so many Arab States on it’s borders. Their foreign policy towards Israel is disgraceful and doesn’t go unnoticed. I am glad that Israel exists and agree with international pressures that those Arab States drop their blind prejudice and violence.against Israel and Judaism. Such anti- Israel and anti-Jewishness makes my skin crawl.
However, I believe Israel too has a duty to honour international obligations as the main player in the Middle East. It’s actually not unusual for a country that has won a war to return “conquered” or “occupied” land to its previous owners. It should in fact be the norm.
This is now an international aspiration for Israel. To lead the peace process. When that is done maybe the next Motion presented by some councillor on West Dunbartonshire Council will be about Palestinian aggression towards Israel.
To date, I have not been inundated with emails and ‘phone calls. I know that our local newspaper will be covering the “story” in its next edition due to one councillor making mention of the same abusive comments on Friends of Israel Blogs, particularly from England, and emails received.
I am also aware of some behind the scenes activities at a high level which I wont further comment on safe to say that Scottish Jewish leaders have more sense and influence in their little finger than all the intolerant Friends of Israel blogs in England put together.
I also know that at our next Council meeting, the issue will almost certainly be raised again, which is unfortunate, two and a half years after the decision. I suspect the policy will be reiterated with a new vigour. I will certainly be speaking on it if it is raised and I will not be curtailed or bullied by anyone.
Maybe the so-called Friends of Israel in England should change their name to the anti-Scottish Friends of Israel although “Enemies of Israel” would better describe them given the damage they have sought to create to Israel by seeking to alienate one of Israel’s most loyal and respectful friends that is Scotland.
That said, I do genuinely wish you all the very best for the future as I do Israel , Palestine and the Middle East.
I am happy to respond to any of your emails to further clarify any outstanding matters, but I wont accept any sectarian or racist comments.
Best wishes
Jim McElhill
Update: This post is now the fourth result for the Google search ‘Jim McElhill.’ So anyone wanting to find out more about their councillor and how he reacts to any kind of opposition can find out rather easily.
Update: Sad fact from this page on the barely literate councillor:
Having previously held a number of positions over the years, he is currently the Council’s spokesperson for Environmental Services and Economic Development, Vice Convener of the Housing, Environment and Economic Development Committee, and Vice Convener of Education & Life Long Learning.
About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: General
I would have posted the same idiocy (notice correct spelling xD ) after 8 or 9 tumblers.
Hello jim McElhill here.
I did not post any offensive or insulting comments here. They have all come my way from visitors to this site. I have responded as best I can to those that have emailed me.
I think you should re-appraise what is an insulting comment. Some of the stuff I have received has been shocking.
Jim McElhill
Hello folks,
I have prepared a statement to you but I am being told by your site that it is too long to submit.
Its only five pages.
Jim McElhill
unless the statement includes your apology for your country allowing a mass murderer to walk free and live the life of luxury in libya….dont bother
That sums up your attitude then? The fact that the guy is dying and didnt commit the crime in the first place is neither here nor there?
He's certainly taking a long time to die.
Pair of dafties!
daffy, because i believe your government is so corrupt as to accept a payoff from one of the world's great monsters in order to allow another monster out of prison?
the scottish gov has no moral compass
but you keep fighting the good fight for those that would love to have you as dhimmi slaves
He certainly didn't show any mercy toward the people dying because of his acts. And he was convicted in a court of law. Do you think that court verdicts should be ignored because YOU don't agree with it? What hubris!
Mr McElhill,
My email address is israellycool at yahoo dot com. Please send me your statement and I will post it.
Will do
I have posted your mail. Still not sure why you chose to call me a racist, dummy and idiot, though.
I appreciate my mail being published. I have sight difficulties. You are a racist, dummy and ognorant though!
That anyone can call the Scots an6ti-Semitic is sad!
Nothing personal
Jim
Calling me a racist, idiot and dummy IS offensive and insulting (not to mention conduct unbecoming of someone in your position). All because I oppose the council's decision and asked readers to contact you and the other councillors?
The nature of their comments to you is between you and them. I never dictated to anyone what they should say to you.
Check out your headlines. They refer to West Dunbartonshire Dummies. and worse. That is also offensive.
Not as offensive as boycotting Israeli goods and accusing Israel of using "disproportionate force" when defending itself.
I think your council's decision was dumb and offensive. Deal with it.
But you had the nerve to call me a racist for challenging it!
So this is how you react? A bit childish …
Having seen the exhanges that regularly occur at the Scottish parliament or the houses of parliament / lords I am sure you can take a bit of banter. If not you should really reconsider your career path.
Also, don't expect everyone (internationally) to agree with you when you take decision linked to foreign policies and on such a passionate subject as the middle-east and the Israelo-Palestinian conflict.
The only folk here that is being childish is folk like yourself.
Well this is the response you will get from most forums (not just Israelis one) to personnal attacks!
Did you get my statement of an hour ago?
Yes. I posted it above as an update to the post.
I don't think that any comment you received could be nearly as shocking as the racist, fascist decision to ban (burn? – that's next) books due to author's religion/nationality.
BTW, does the ban include books by Arab Israelis?
You are wrong. No-one is banning books or burning them. Please deal with the fqcts.
Have you boycotted the English dictionary or something? You know that does not come from Israel, so no need.
Hi Jim
it is very difficult to make an informed decision about the Middle East from a comfortable chair in a council room. Obviously there are many Palestinians, who would wish that times are better, as do Israelis. However many of the leaders of a Palestinian state are in fact unelected, living off international donations, they need to show that they are doing something for their money.
Obviously it's in their interest to paint as black picture of Israel is possible, it is very difficult for the Israelis to paint a more rosy picture.
Obviously the life of our person living in Tibet or Darfur is not as important as the life of the Palestinian living in Palestine. I very much doubt that the situation in Syria, the people are being murdered, raped and terrorised, is of little importance in your council chambers.
I wish you well in your endeavours.
PS. I hope that you don't have bombs, mortars and bullets being indiscriminately fired at a West Dunbarton
Ehem, it just strikes me Jim, that you spend an awful lot of time on this subject which does not seem to sort under your particular area of responsibility, education and learning. I am sure that your local constituents are would appreciate relatively more effort going into this area, rather than wasting public money on an area where your efforts look simply ludicrous.
But I am sure that as Scotland is gearing up for independence the rest of us tax payers living north of the border will be very relieved to know that our money at least is not going towards your salary any longer.
Good luck!
And send best greetings to workers at distilleries in your area when they are made redundant as counter boycott bites back!
Prof. McGonagall
Why aren't you boycotting goods from the UK? The disproportionality of deaths between British troops in Iraqu and Afganistan and innocent civilians in those nations is much, much higher than that in the Israel/Gaza conflict. And the disproportional deaths of Germans in WWII was just as high or higher as well.
What is your excuse for not boycotting UK goods?
We do. England made the manacles that held black folk in South Africa in captivity . That business is no longer in business.
"All the evil done in the world is done by Israel, apart from that done by England" – the world view of Mr McElhill.
Oh good, more anti-English nonsense.
Dope.
Don't you see Dave – you are an Israeli, therefore you are racist. It is as simple as that (at least to a simpleton like Mr McElhill).
The good Councilman Jim would have all of us lesser mortals believe that
a)He is not anti-Jewish-in fact some of his best friends are Jews who understand that the hatred he spews is just directed against "Israeli foreign policy" and who also support the "Dumb"Bartonshire Council in their decision all the way
b)The reason why Israel is singled out for boycott has nothing to do with religion-that's why the Chinese who are avowedly atheists and who have been running a longer and infinitely more brutal occupation in Tibet have not faced boycott and that is why the Sudanese Arabs who brutally oppress the Animists are not boycotted(you see Dumb"Bartonshire" council stands in solidarity with the atheist Chinese and the Arab Sudanese in the same way that they stand against Israel!)
c)Israelis should be more like Jews of the past; when kicked you should all learn to say "Thank You Sire!" and move on-that way Israel will not only gain "respect" from the all powerful Councilmen of Dumb Bartonshire; they will also have more friends in the "rest of the world".
and finally
d)Don't call the actions of the Dumb Bartonshire council dumb because it hurts when you cut so close to the flesh!
I didnt say any of your words. Its quite a rant.
A 4 paragraph comment is "quite a rant" – what does that make a 5 page statement?
When you develop a brain to think with, let me know!
If the "brain" you want the rest of us mere mortals to "develop" is anything like yours, then I would rather not "develop" one.You remind me of those school bullies who cannot stomach what they dish out to others.The only problem is that while most bullies grow past that phase, your "brain" has not "develop"ed much since those days.
What was that probelm? More insight in my little finger that you have in your whole body?
And that would be insight in what exactly? Or are you just here to make personal ad hominem attacks?
I do not know you sir, and as such wouldn't dare to make personal attacks.
All I can go by to make a judgement is your appaling behaviour on this forum.
I also know you have been involved in a decision which I do not agree with, for which I feel strongly enough that I need to raise the point (as well as a lot of the other commenters here).
I sincerely hope that your constituent have seen you for what you trully are: a childish "politician" with a massive ego problem who thinks he is above everyone else. Then again, what to expect from a nationalist party like the SNP (how does the generalisation feel by the way?).
If you are prepared on the other hand to talk about your decision to boycott Israeli products and debate this decision, I am sure many here will be happy to argue with you of how basless and not useful your actions and your councils action have been.
Wow, a narcissist as well!
Great argument!
Here's a challenge for you: provide a reason for characterizing me as racist.
Incidentally, Google your name and see how high up the search results this post (and your mispelt, ad hominem attacks) appear.
No reply yet Jim?
I appreciate most of Cllr McElhill's statement but I take exception to a) his constant referral to "Friends of Israel in England" and b) his claim that Israel ignores international law and UN resolutions.
It is quite wrong to claim that the Scots are any more prejudiced than anyone else when it comes to the Israel/Palestine issue, but English people who observe with alarm growing anti-Israel attitudes in Britain are well aware that there has been a heavy Scotch influence on government since 1997 and that in that time Britain has gained a reputation for being the most anti-Israeli country in the western world. It isn't altogether surprising that the two things are conflated but it's dotty and rather paranoid to assume it is related to some overall English anti-Scots feeling.
As far as international law and resolutions go, and I speak as someone with some knowledge and experience in these areas, I would suggest that Cllr McElhill read closely all the UN Security Council resolutions on this subject starting with the first, 242, and note that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
Who claimed "Scots are any more prejudiced than anyone else when it comes to the Israel/Palestine issue"? I certainly didn't.
Do you also take exception to his constant claims I am racist and ignorant?
Hello Francis,
Thanks for your enlighteninng words in a field of despair.
I will do as you suggest.
Can you though elaborate on which UN resolutions that Scotland is not adhering to which appears to be the gist of your view.
Apologies if incorrect.
jim
When I referred to geese I was referring to the resolutions concerning Israel, which, if you read them, require action on both sides – not just Israel's. It is unacceptable to throw opprobrium at one party while absolving the other.
Sorry Francis,
Your prejudiced assumption that any growing anti-Jewish feeling in England is due to Scottish politicians is simply wrong, misguided and actually quite wicked.
I am aware of no anti-Semitism in Scotland and if any of our political leaders were to expound such a viewi they would be quickly brought to account.
It simply doesnt happen here!.
England has a problem and so blame it on Scotland is your apparent view. What nonsense!
Jim
Is it because you are in fact ignoring the level oa anti-semitism in Scotland?
http://www.thejc.com/community/community-life/325…
An example I found on google (appologies for not looking for more, I have a job to do !)… http://www.heraldscotland.com/rise-in-anti-semiti…
Dear Councilman Jim,
I am an Israeli. I Live in Israel my homeland, a recognized country, the official religion of which is Judaism. Kindly stop referring to us as "Jewish Folk".
"The Jewish People" is the accepted term, even for Scottish Folk sich as yoorsel', Jimmie.
As to our supposed war-crimes (that even the despicable Goldstone agrees never happened), weel, you can be sure that most Palis have suffered less than yer average rowdy sasenach coming out of a Pub on a Saturday night in the welcoming arms of a Dumbartonshire Pollisman.
Here's some statistics for your next council meeting:
Israeli Arabs have more freedom than any other Palestinians in the Middle East, including full representation in our Knesset. They enjoy the full and unbiased protection of equal rights under Israeli Law.
Life Expectancy of Palestinians in Judea and Samaria is higher than that in ANY of the neighbouring countries.
Egyptians visiting the Gaza Strip CANNOT BELIEVE the wealth they see there! In many cases, the standard of living is much higher than their own.
The Palestinians have rejected comprehensive peace offers on three different occasions, without putting forward counter-proposals. They walk away from the negotiating table and start blowing up busses. Let's see how Dumbartonshire Council would deal with THAT in a respectful, human-rights-aware way.
Ach, ye make me sick, you hypocrite.
Hi.
Sorry,
I didnt read your diatribe.Just the first sentence.
Please resubmit in a civiilsed fashion.
Jim
What a wit Dim Jim has.
Sorry I referred to you as "Jewish Folk". I didnt realise I did so and no offense was meant.. I refer to Scottish folk, English folk, Black folkk and Jewish folk. etc. I think it is quite a humane and civilised term to use.
You couldn't have been more civilised, J. old chap.
I do think the Councillor might simply be covering for an intellectual inability to counter your legitimate points.
How do they select Councillors in West Dunbartonshire, Lucky dip?
FYI Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming but it took an Australian to make it useful.
Howard Florey (he shared the Nobel Prize with Ernst Boris Chain and Alexander Fleming) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Florey
How sad ia this?
Not as sad as four words and one spelling mistake.
According to this document, the life expectancy in West Dunbartonshire is 72.4 Males, 78.2 Females ~ 75years http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/l…
Compared to the West Bank 75 and Gaza 74 https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worl…
Shouldn’t Jim be trying to help the poor deprived people of Calton Glasgow where the male life expectancy is 54 years? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calton,_Glasgow
He should be boycotting the Calton council or the Scottish parliament until they improve this intolerable violation of human rights.
And?
If you read my statement to this site you would know my feelings. Calton is in Glasgow and not in West Dunbartonshire. I am supportive of all vulnerable people throughout the world.
I hope you are also condusive to considering that I have great difficulty in sending messages to this site given that it greatly misrepresents my spelling.
Jim
ROTFLMAO!!!
Those cunning Zionists have now found a way to change the spelling of what commentors post to make them look stupid!
You couldn't make this up… or could you?
LOL
I'm just surprised Jim knows how to spell his own name
I was contrasting the life expectancy in West Dunbartonshire with that of the “oppressed” west bank and gaza. I never said Calton was in West Dunbartonshire, maybe you should take a Life Long Learning course in English comprehension. Do you expect to be applauded for having the second worst life expectancy for males in Scotland?
BTW do you realise that Kim Jong-Il drinks vast amounts of Chivas Regal, it’s almost enough to make you want to boycott someone!
“I am supportive of all vulnerable people throughout the world.”
But your bigotry leads you to condemn only one.
He sounds like Dickies long lost brother
As someone who was born in Scotland (Stirling) and is proud to be British; I can tell you exactly what type of people we are dealing with in these 'councils'.
In common with the rest of the SNP they are likely a deeply frustrated group of inbreds whose ancestors never bothered to drag themselves out of the filth and leave Paisley.
In common with the rest of the SNP they're insular and have many inadequacies that makes them envious of people who do better than them.
In common with the rest of the SNP they don't care about what is best for Scotland, they care about power and the trappings of it and they want to exploit it.
I genuinely fear for Scotland. The best we can hope for is that they drink the Kool-aid and leave a beautiful country to those who actually do care about it.
If they do get independence they will still be a nation dependent on the business of Great Britain because they can't compete elsewhere, they have no industry and no expertise and they won't have any oil either because England isn't stupid enough to let them have it (particularly because it was drilled at the expense of the British taxpayer).
Of course, the bigotry still in Scotland will only mean that if they do get independence they will soon tear themselves apart.
Don't believe that these petty minded little scotlanders aren't bigoted, the SNP's entire ticket is based on bigotry. They've twisted nationalism into an anti-English creed. They rely on keeping their electorate either to be as bigoted and ignorant as they are or to be too frustrated with Labour to vote elsewhere and that is another reason Scotland will not succeed. A nation without nation building……where have we heard that before.
I can also tell you from my own families experiences that many of the (mainly protestant) people who forged the SNP as a movement were also at the forefront of anti-catholic bigotry.You simply couldn't get a job with them if you were RC. The plus side to that is that my Mother was able to get out of Scotland and travel the world with the British Army.
The palestinian nonsense chimes with these people because they see themselves as having experienced 'injustice' at the hands of the English.
It doesn't matter that the Northern English don't go on about the 'injustice' they experienced at the hand of the Scots, or the Panamanians in the Darien Scheme for that matter or that Scotland did very well out of the Union, without it they wouldn't have had the opportunities that led to the Scottish enlightenment or the industrial revolution (largely built on supplying goods to England).
They are people living in the dark ages, determined to drag a nation into it with them.
We don't really need to go into why their far-left politics are stupid, it would take too long. What we should note is that they have boycotted Israel despite Israel's clear offers for peace.
Despite Israel's constant humanitarian work, including to the palestinians and the professional, extensive work done to cater for their needs.
Despite Israels open society where Arabs are able to integrate to their pleasure, despite the fact that every Israeli citizen has the same rights and access to services no matter their ethnic or religious background, sex or sexuality.
Despite Israel's democracy and free press.
What they haven't done is boycott palestinian work or produce because of their promotion of anti-semitism, desire for ACTUAL apartheid, continuance of terrorism and devotion to an ideology that would see a genocide against all the Jews of the Middle East.
They haven't boycotted Turkish products because of their refusal to acknowledge the Armenian massacre, the rise of Islamic fundamentalism that forms the base support for the current government or their oppression of the Kurdish people.
They haven't boycotted Iran because of it's promotion of terrorism, it's nuclear weapons program, it's state policies against non-muslims, it's treatment of women and homosexuals or the lack of a free press.
They haven't boycotted Syria because they murder civilians in the streets or because of it's support for Hezbollah.
They haven't boycotted Saudi Arabia because of it's treatment of women, it's wielding of sharia law against it's citizens or because they refuse to do anything about the funding of terrorist groups abroad by it's wealthy.
They haven't boycotted China, Russia, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Burma, North Korea etc etc etc.
For them ignorance is an art form, they will always be ignorant and they will always live these double standards. I just hope that it isn't at Scotland's expense.
You are such a disgusting person. Please contaminate someone else.
I've flushed better than you.
Imagine if Jim here was from Cork, Ireland.
I'm beginning to sense an anti-Jim bias on your part, Shy Guy. Not just this guy, but anyone named Jim.
That thought had bobbed up in my mind but – remember – you're the one that floated the idea.
Needless to say the work done leading to Bell's invention of the Telephone was done in Canada and Boston.
The all electric television was essentially thought up by an Electrical engineer from Berwickshire but built in the United States.
Fleming discovered Penicillin in England although a lot of work had previously been done in England and around the world along similar lines.
James Young Simpson and William Mcewan are important figures in the field of anesthesia but neither of them discovered anaesthetic. The processes of local and general were really pioneered by a German and an American respectively.
How can you possibly advocate for Scotland when you know nothing about it.
How you can call a whole nation of people "inbreds" is dispicaple.
Tut tut
What a half-wit.
Going to cuddle my woman and she me.
Jim McElhill
"Going to cuddle my woman and she me. "
First cousins?
I can't believe some of the comments i'm reading here.
stv,
the English are just as anti occupation as the Scottish. You have to understand they see the conflict through the legal framework as laid down by the UN, not through religous reasons or their inter catholic/protestant rivalry.
Councillor Jim,
The problem with this boycott, is that the Israeli academics and authors are the types that people need to hear more from. If you want to hold boycotts it should be the USA you should be thinking of as that is where the censorship regarding the Middle East conflict is. Professor's Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer, could not find a publisher in the US for their book, "The Israel Lobby", they had to go to London to have it published.
Even they have praised Israeli academia for being free and truthful compared to the censorship and distortions in the USA. I suggest you read their book they lay the blame where it belongs, and it's in the US not in Israel.
The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy
John J. Mearsheimer (Author), Stephen M. Walt (Author) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Israel-Lobby-US-Foreign-P…
Proof of what they're saying is the book itself. They couldn't get it published in the USA. So much for free speech! They had to go to London.
Stephen Walt is lucky he has tenure, the wikileaks material alone disproves his entire world view. The problem in the middle east isn’t Israel, it’s Islamic fundamentalism and their European enablers.
Is Stephen Walt Blind, a Complete Fool, or a Big Liar? http://www.tnr.com/article/world/83998/stephen-wa…
@Ian
"Stephen Walt is lucky he has tenure, the wikileaks material alone disproves his entire world view. The problem in the middle east isn’t Israel, it’s Islamic fundamentalism and their European enablers."
That was not the point. The US claims first amendment free speech rights, which are a lie, otherwise Walt and Mearsheimer wouldn't have had a problem publishing there.
The point here is not what they published, or the accuracy of it, (you don't have to agree with it) nor was it about Walt's tenure, it's the fact that first amendment free speech rights are a big lie in the USA. That book would have been published in Israel, had Wlat and Mearsheimer been there, they wouljdn't have had a problem finding a publisher, when Walt and Mearsheirmer eventually did go to Israel they made that clear. But the book was capped in the USA.
Even George Soros praises the Israeli acadamia and media, and says the US should emulate it
That is why the media in the USA is of such low quality, that American's are turning to other sources (Europe and Britian ) for news.
That's food for Counciller Jim to think of, and to regale his constituents with as they are probably not aware. Israel is more like Europe in this respect (freedom to think and free speech) than the USA.
Briton has some of the harshest libel laws in the developed world, not to mention the totalitarian super injunctions. It’s hardly a bastion of free speech. The fact that someone doesn’t get their book commercially published isn’t an infringement of free speech. You don’t have the right to be a published author. I think your talking points need some polishing.
@Ian
"Briton has some of the harshest libel laws in the developed world, not to mention the totalitarian super injunctions."
What does this have to do with anything? and it's just as well, for it means you cannot publish lies. If anything it further lends credence to it's publishing industry.
" It’s hardly a bastion of free speech."
Certainly more so that the USA. Libel laws only target falsehood, not facts. Being able to smear and lie as the US media does is hardly conducive to having an educated and informed populace. That would account for the spectacular ignorance in the USA.
"The fact that someone doesn’t get their book commercially published isn’t an infringement of free speech. You don’t have the right to be a published author. I think your talking points need some polishing. "
What needs polishing is the US academia and media. That is what needs polishing. Walt and Meirsheimers book was meant to be a scholarly study not a commercial venture. They paid out of their own pocket to have their facts verified. Furthermore, if the USA boasts free speech rights, there should be a law that guarantees that anyone who wants to publish can do so without th epublishing company being threatened by economic or other sanctions. Whatever publisher they found, pulled out due to intimidation.
It's an outrage that they had to go to London to get "The Israel Lobby" published.
You call this free speech in a country that has a so called first amendment right to it? The good news is that since then, American's have become more critical of censorhip.
“What does this have to do with anything? and it's just as well, for it means you cannot publish lies. If anything it further lends credence to it's publishing industry.“
Really, media gag orders and secret trials are conducive to freedom of speech? I think you need to read more.
“Being able to smear and lie as the US media does is hardly conducive to having an educated and informed populace. That would account for the spectacular ignorance in the USA. “
Hmmmm the first UK university is 18th on this list. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_Ranking_of_…
The UK GDP per capita is 75% of the US, 65% of Australia, 87% of France. Maybe that’s why they have third rate universities.
“That is what needs polishing. Walt and Meirsheimers book was meant to be a scholarly study not a commercial venture. They paid out of their own pocket to have their facts verified.”
Back to my first post what facts? They’re hacks pushing their own bigotry under the guise of academic inquiry.
“Furthermore, if the USA boasts free speech rights, there should be a law that guarantees that anyone who wants to publish can do so without th epublishing company being threatened by economic or other sanctions. Whatever publisher they found, pulled out due to intimidation.“
Again you’re advocating a right to commercially publish, how big is this constitutionally enforced print run going to be?
“It's an outrage that they had to go to London to get "The Israel Lobby" published. “
JK Rowling shopped Harry Potter to 12 publishers, is that an outrage? They’re both fiction books.
Keep polishing away. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBj6PonX14A
“The paper also drew fire from Cambridge, Mass., as Harvard faculty members and students joined the chorus of denunciations. One day after Kennedy School scholar Marvin Kalb lambasted the paper's authors for failing to meet basic quality standards for academic research, another Harvard professor, Ruth Wisse, called for the Kennedy School to withdraw the paper until the authors remedy their "poor scholarship."” http://www.nysun.com/national/harvards-paper-on-i…
In other words it’s a Zionist conspiracy!
From that well known Zionist and contender for most boring person on the planet, Noam Chomsky.
“Noam Chomsky, professor of linguistics at MIT, asserts that he did not find the thesis of the paper very convincing. He said that Stephen Zunes has rightly pointed out that "there are far more powerful interests that have a stake in what happens in the Persian Gulf region than does AIPAC [or the Lobby generally], such as the oil companies, the arms industry and other special interests whose lobbying influence and campaign contributions far surpass that of the much-vaunted Zionist lobby and its allied donors to congressional races." He finds that the authors "have a highly selective use of evidence (and much of the evidence is assertion)", ignore historical "world affairs", and blame the Lobby for issues that are not relevant.”
But you think this rubbish has a constitutional right to be published?
@Ian
"That would account for the spectacular ignorance in the USA. Hmmmm the first UK university is 18th on this list."
America only excels at univeristy level. I was talking about the general knowledge of the average American, not the intellectual elite, (who are MOSTLY left wing by the way). It's sub standard by world standards. Particularly in the Bible belt GOP area's. That is why the REpublicans under Bush destroyed and bankrupted the country.
I understand what you meant about the free speech rights, but I suggested a solution to IMPLEMENT it into practice, rather than leave it to commercial entities like publishing houses.
"Back to my first post what facts? They’re hacks pushing their own bigotry under the guise of academic inquiry. "
Stating that a lobby stifles dissenting opinion is not bigotry. That has been proven true by themselves.
QUESTION;
WERE WALT AND MEIRSHEIMER HACKS IN ASSERTING THAT THE ISRAELI ACADEMIA AND IS FREER THAN THE US?
Walt Novacs
Ian, Walt Novacs is a fine example of what I said above. He doesn't know that to learn you have to study everything, not just what you like to hear. See his own narrow minded bigotry, he was advocating nuking Scotland in response to Jim's boycott.
"you definitely dont understand the first amendment "
I do understand it, and you were right in a way, I just didn't make my point clear. As I said to Ian above, perhap's I should have said, the first amendment is a mockery without a law to ensure than anyone can publish or have their say without being intimidated into silence or forced to go abroad.
"you read walt and mearshimer and agree with their racist views….you are either a leftist or a nazi "
They are not racist. I am neither a leftist nor a nazi.
QUESTION:
WERE WALT AND MEARSHEIRMER RACIST IN ASSERTING THE ISRAELI ACADEMIA AND MEDIA IS MORE FREE AND TRUTHFUL THAN THE ONE IN THE US WHERE THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT IS CONCERNED?
It's ironic that Walt and Meirsheirmer's "The Israel Lobby" is something that can be used to show the anti Israel boycotters that they are misguided, yet they're being called, racists and hacks
"Stating that a lobby stifles dissenting opinion is not bigotry. That has been proven true by themselves. "
This claim is false; to repeat my post below, to which you did not reply:
"Professor's Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer, could not find a publisher in the US for their book, "The Israel Lobby", they had to go to London to have it published.
…
Proof of what they're saying is the book itself. They couldn't get it published in the USA. So much for free speech! They had to go to London."
Mearsheimer and Walt's The Israel Lobby was published in the United States by the firm of Farrar, Straus and Giroux in 2007. It was sold in bookstores throughout the country. Evidently, your argument against the "Israel Lobby" is so strong that you're reduced to inventing censorship and then attributing the non-existent censorship to Israel's supporters!
It may also interest you to know that Stephen Walt has acted as a shill for Gadhaffi as recently as last year. Apparently, his opposition to US foreign policy being affected by foreign lobbies doesn't extend to the enemies of Israel. Mearsheimer and Walt are as much a part of a foreign policy lobby as those they deride for supporting Israel.
Kindly post a reply as to why you are repeating this assertion that a sinister Israel Lobby suppressed the free speech of Mearsheimer and Walt.
@DavidR
“Mearsheimer and Walt's The Israel Lobby was published in the United States by the firm of Farrar, Straus and Giroux in 2007. Evidently, your argument against the "Israel Lobby" is so strong that you're reduced to inventing censorship and then attributing the non-existent censorship to Israel's supporters!”
No. See the FT link below. The core thesis of the book had been widely disseminated before the book was published in 2007. The genie was out of the bottle by the time Farrer Straus published it in 2007.
The book was originally a paper commissioned in 2002 by The Atlantic Monthly, and was then rejected for “unknown reasons”.
In 2006 it was available as a Working Paper at the Kennedy School. In the same year, an edited version appeared in London Review of Books under the title “The Israel Lobby”. Later in 2006 a revised edition was published in “Middle East Policy”.
“Kindly post a reply as to why you are repeating this assertion that a sinister Israel Lobby suppressed the free speech of Mearsheimer and Walt.”
The British Financial Times, perhaps articulated it better than Ambassador Peck even,
America and Israel http://news.ft.com/cms/s/8ed824fc-c11b-11da-9419-…
Author: Financial Times Editorial Board
Published: Apr 1, 2006
Only a UK publication, the London Review of Books, was prepared to carry their critique, in the same way that it was Prospect, a British monthly journal, that four years ago published a path-breaking study of the Israel lobby by the American analyst, Michael Lind.
Moral blackmail – the fear that any criticism of Israeli policy and US support for it will lead to charges of anti-Semitism – is a powerful disincentive to publish dissenting views. It is also leading to the silencing of policy debate on American university campuses, partly as the result of targeted campaigns against the dissenters.
Ambassador Edward L. Peck
Of Course There Is an Israel Lobby http://independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=17…
The expected tsunami of rabid responses condemned the report, vilified its authors, and denied there is such a lobby—validating both the lobby’s existence and aggressive, pervasive presence and obliging Harvard to remove its name.
Mearsheimer and Walt took two years to write an article, by which time a different editor-in-chief at the Atlantic Monthly wasn't interested in it. So they published their article in the London Review of Books (which eagerly seeks out anti-Israel material) and then turned the article into a book which was immediately published in the United States with great attention in the press. Despite your claims, there was no "stifling of dissenting opinions". You can't point to any action taken by this supposed lobby that suppressed Mearsheimer and Walt's free speech.
As for the "genie [being] out of the bottle", for decades those opposed to Israel have loudly complained that a Jewish conspiracy is subverting US foreign policy and attempting to silence them. This is nothing new, and they remain blissfully unaware of the irony. Typically, they refer to any criticism as "censorship" or "oppression" or "moral blackmail", when trying to shut down their opponents' free speech or at least evade their opponents' argument. It's troubling that so many prominent British publications have taken to actively seeking out conspiricist anti-Israel material for publication, even from members of the Arab lobby like Stephen Walt.
This has led to the number of antisemitic attacks in Britain reaching an all-time high (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/7156244/Record-number-of-anti-Semitic-attacks-in-Britain.html) . At British universities, pro-Israel speakers are banned out of "security concerns", while virulently anti-Israel speakers are permitted.
Mearsheimer doesn't exhibit an interest in preserving free speech when he accuses Jews who disagree with him of "blind loyalty to the Jewish state" and being the "new Afrikaners" (http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2010/04/30/mearsheimer-makes-a-list/). He's engaging in classic antisemitic conspiracy theories, where he accuses Jews of disloyalty to their country and engaging in conspiratorial subversion of their country on behalf of their own interests.
hmmm ALL CAPS that always works.
Even if Walt and Mearsheimer said something correct, they’d still have to be right about something else to reach “broken clock” status (even a broken clock is right twice a day).
“I was talking about the general knowledge of the average American, not the intellectual elite,”
So the average American blocked Walt and Mearsheimer book from being published? Good for them.
I’ll cut down the reactions to what you still contend is a credible academic work.
Noam Chomsky – Professor of linguistics at MIT
“did not find the thesis of the paper very convincing”
"have a highly selective use of evidence (and much of the evidence is assertion)", ignore historical "world affairs", and blame the Lobby for issues that are not relevant.”
Marvin Kalb
Shorenstein Center's Founding Director (Kennedy School Harvard University )
Edward R. Murrow Professor of Press and Public Policy (1987–1999).
James Clark Welling Fellow at The George Washington University.
“failing to meet basic quality standards for academic research”
Ruth Wisse,
Professor of Comparative Literature at Harvard University.
“called for the Kennedy School to withdraw the paper until the authors remedy their "poor scholarship."”
the reason that walt and mearshimer had problems publishing, was because their book, and its thesis, are both crap
and i suggest you read the constitution…freedom of speech laws do not mean that everyone has the right to publish, only that the government may not abridge the right to free speech
why do leftists get this wrong?
you have the right to scream to the heavens…you do not have the right to have those insane diatribes published by a reputable publisher
Dear Councilor Jim,
FYI Chayma posts here a great deal. A dyed-in-the-wool Palestinian supporter. We all enjoy sparring.
IT would appear that Chayma, whose preferences and prejudices are well known, is far more open-minded than you will ever be.
Please reconsider your boycott! it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Hi,
My name is Jim, not Councillor Jim or Mr. McElhill. I am almost pleased to know that Chayma has "preferences and prejudices" No one on this other than him does I suppose.
Jim
Touche, Jim
Of course, we all have preferences and prejudices. The question is whether we are able and willing to examine them and defend our opinions honestly and reasonably, with a modicum of intellectual rigour. In my first comment to you I stated that I am an Israeli, living in Israel.
Yes, some of the comments directed at you are insulting – you don't need to respond to those (unless you enjoy responding in kind).
As always, your comment ignores the meat and picks at the trimmings. Here's that point again in case you wish to respond more eloquently.
Chayma comments intelligently about the points made. You have not yet demonstrated an ability to do the same.
Perhaps you can now go back and read some of the (non-insulting) comments made elsewhere in this comments section and give a reasoned response? Here's hoping.
J.
It would appear that instead of picking up the chalenge, Jim has left the building.
Why am I not surprised?
challenge, of course. My keyboard sometimes doesn't spring back fast enough
I haven't said anything about what the English believe Chay.
The muppets in Government seem to follow the lines of self hating westerners determined to flog themselves on the world stage for perceived or even imagined sins of the past.
I was talking about the SNP though.
Hello
I am glad that the book was published in the UK, which you call London. We are a very open people and like to hear all sides of a debate.
Really?
You'll have to explain to me why then legitimate concerns about things like immigration, foreign aid, the EU and the welfare state are shouted down by the pinkos who seem to manage public discourse, particularly on the BBC.
"Professor's Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer, could not find a publisher in the US for their book, "The Israel Lobby", they had to go to London to have it published.
…
Proof of what they're saying is the book itself. They couldn't get it published in the USA. So much for free speech! They had to go to London."
Mearsheimer and Walt's The Israel Lobby was published in the United States by the firm of Farrar, Straus and Giroux in 2007. It was sold in bookstores throughout the country. Evidently, your argument against the "Israel Lobby" is so strong that you're reduced to inventing censorship and then attributing the non-existent censorship to Israel's supporters!
It may also interest you to know that Stephen Walt has acted as a shill for Gadhaffi as recently as last year. Apparently, his opposition to US foreign policy being affected by foreign lobbies doesn't extend to the enemies of Israel. Mearsheimer and Walt are as much a part of a foreign policy lobby as those they deride for supporting Israel.
The reason they couldn't get it published is probably because the legal definition of anti Semitism includes the idea that there is a powerful Jewish (Israeli) lobby pulling the political strings behind the scenes, which is clearly the category this book belongs to. There are lobbies for every industry and every country. But jews are differnt aren't they?
Jews were being murdered en masse by 'palestinians' long before the State of israel was created, and it has been the legacy of Arafat's sucessful propaganda campaign which has embedded in the mind of the public, or those who take their news from the mainstream media, that israel is in fact the aggressor, when even a cursory understanding of the history of israel shows this not to be the case and this is why a boycott of Israel is indeed anti Semitic, or else shameful ignorance. It is anti Semitic because the evidence overwhelmingly shows that in fact it is Israel, the one and only jewish state, which has been a victim of Arab aggression, violence and attemped genocide for a long time. Arafat, and many other Arab leaders are on public record as stating again and again that there is no such people as the 'Palestinians'. They are merely an Arab front for the destruction of israel. It takes a deeply corrupted, bigoted and ignorant political class to take up the cause of the 'Palestinian' terrorists who not very long ago beheaded an infant in her bed, murdered her parents and brothers, stabbing her 3 year old brother not once, but twice, in the heart, and the response in the mainstream media was to justify this by giving them the term 'settlers' despite this being legally Jewish land. The kind of act no one could ever accuse Israel of. Anti Semitism? Oh yes. They may hide under the banner of anti Zionism but the facts speak of something else. And as the Bible makes clear, those who attack Israel will see the wrath of God. I would not want to be in these councillors shoes in the near future.
When Israel launched Operation Cast Lead in 2009 they had not retaliated agianst the 'Palestinians' for ten years, and in those ten years the Palestinians had rained tens of thousands of rockets into israel towns and villages. Disproportionate? Not to those who are politically educated, which these councillors are definitely not.
If they spent more time focusing on their problems at home there probably wouldn't be so many violent assaults and stabbings on the streets of Paisley.
oh…its so nice that a country that has about 6000 jews in it….doesnt hate that tiny minority, that appears to have no political voice
wonder how it is, is scotland is so open to the jew, that more dont reside there
Oh, c'mon Walt. Just because there are very few Jews who live above the Arctic Circle doesn't mean that your average Eskimo is anti-semitic. But then again, I'm not sure there were all that many Jews who were welcomed by the pioneers who settled the Western United States in the 19th Century. For example, I don't remember a synagogue in Rock Ridge in the movie "Blazing Saddles." So maybe you have a point after all. Come to think of it, I've never seen a Scotsman dance the hora or a Jew wear a kilt.
you read walt and mearshimer and agree with their racist views….you are either a leftist or a nazi
pick one
you definitely dont understand the first amendment
Sorry. I am not alowed to comment on abusive messages and the owner of this sabusiiveessagfesLLOWWSI
I am not from Paisley and I am not anti-Semitic.
Jim
Councillor Jim,
It's not for you to say whether you're antisemitic or not.
You say many times in your five page rant, which Dave has so courteously published above, that you are not. Let others, principally Jews, decide. That's how it works.
Whether or not you're "from Paisley" is irrelevant, as Dave has shown you connect to the internet "from Paisley". Nobody cares "where you come from".
I think some people bully too much Chayma.
Its not really bad they say, its just banter.
You should see some of the "banter" that I have rvieved
I hope you live in peace incidentally along with the people of Israel, It seems quite a shocking view to hold on this site,
Jim
1. It's pretty evident that there are 2 different people from the same area posting as Jim McElhill, one who is rude and cannot spell, and the other one. I hope one of you is actually on the Council.
2. I don't know anything about their local "Friends of Israel" group, but it sounds like a nice name. Likewise, I only just now looked up what the SNP is.
3. I object to Israel being held to behavioral standards radically different from the other nations of the world. The West Dunbartonshire Council has not, so far as I can see, published the reasons for their boycott of Israeli books but they have used the word "Disproportionate". I guess they are complaining about the Gaza war, Cast Lead.
If the good Council would simply tell us how we could have suppressed the attacks from Hamas with lesser means perhaps I would understand their point.
I would like to point out that the IDF has the military means to have completely annihilated the Gazans in less time than the 22 days of Cast Lead. The toll of combatants and civilians in Gaza was under 1500. For a 22-day campaign that's less than 68 deaths per day. With thousands of Israeli troops in Gaza, that could be done in less than 10 minutes. My point is that the IDF was clearly being very careful, slowly picking targets here and there where they appeared. In fact, they weren't firing much at all.
What are you complaining about?
Jim,
Here's an opportunity for you to give a full and clear rebuttal. Do I hear the sound of a gauntlet?
J.
Regarding point 1, you are wrong. Every comment from "Jim" has the same IP address: 86.13.136.139
This also happens to be the originating IP address of the mail I received from him.
dave i tried to e-mail you but israellycool at yahoo dot com. shows wrong address may be my error but have tried various forms of address no joy.
i have had a quick read re ip addresses i'm sure your correct but?
[...] 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 counter-boycott of Scotch Whisky distilled in West [...]
“the English are just as anti occupation as the Scottish. ”
Don’t generalise. Some of us are against the Arab occupation of the West Bank, which should be an integral part of Israel. It is not “occupation” when the Jews live in their ancestral homeland, having been thrown out of Iraq, Egypt, Syria, and all the other Middle East countries.
(Or do you mean the Scottish occupation of Westminster? We are against that.)
While it's neither here nor there, Paisley is NOT in West Dunbartonshire, but to its south in Renfrewshire. A quick check of the council region boundary maps from any of several websites (e.g., at http://www.lgbc-scotland.gov.uk/maps) would have revealed as much.
While this does not mean anything with respect to the real identity of the person posting, it does relate to the distilleries being posted as in West Dunbartonshire. To my knowledge, the only thing Chivas Brothers distills in West Dunbartonshire is bulk whisky to use in blends (Ballantine's for sure; I am not certain whether any of their other blends source from there). Some posts I have seen suggest a lot of distilleries should be boycotted even though they are not in the area.
Scottish Council BDS leader, Jim Bollan: “Hamas are freedom fighters” http://cifwatch.com/2011/06/01/scottish-council-b…
greetings biodegradable.
the comments by sarah leah/ash/akus,sum things up.
the point that they can say they have a boycott is one thing but even with that they will still be consuming our exported grown goods one way or another even if not stated on can/jar,(produce from mixes origins/countries)boycott that.
z
[...] and busted: West Dunbartonshire councillor Jim McElhill’s hate-filled comments to pro-Israel activists.New hotness: West Dunbartonshire councillor Jim Bollan’s hate-filled comments to pro-Israel [...]
[...] complaining to the council members over the boycott and a number of the council members responded exposing the bigotry underlying the boycott. In a series of emails, as reported by Ynet, [...]
[...] including one referring to Hamas as “freedom fighters.”There’s councilor Jim McElhill, who wrote numerous insulting comments on this blog.Now we can add councilor Jonathan McColl, who [...]
Thank you so much for your page. I am now SO happy that we moved our family to America. It is clear that Scotland is on a very bad path. It makes me so sad that Scots can take this stance. Scotland was once the true friend to the Jew. Now it seems it is true friend to the Muslim. These simpletons have been brainwashed.
Keep up the good work.
I have emailed the good Councillor and suggest everyone do the same.
It's simple really this Dumb- artonshire council (who they?) are supporters of terrorists who daily fire rockets and bombs indiscriminately at citizens going about their daily work..
OK Mr. McElhill, we have got the picture.