English actress and author Joanna Lumley has come out against BDS.
“I hate barriers, I hate walls, I hate boycotts. I think it’s appalling. I would never join in such a boycott.”
Joanna is an activist for human rights causes, which is unfortunately the profile of many BDS-holes – at least those who think all humans should be equal, but some (Jews) less equal than others. So this is particularly pleasing, and shows she is truly for human rights.
She has also seen the nasty nature of BDS in the past, although one of her causes benefited from it indirectly.
The Israeli Embassy in London has made a donation to the Gurkha Welfare Trust at a meeting in central London on Tuesday. The £300 donation was the money returned to the embassy by the Edinburgh International Film Festival in May, after the festival organizers succumbed to pressure from pro-Palestinian activists to return the donation.
At a meeting in Browns Hotel in the Mayfair area of central London, Israeli Ambassador to the UK Ron Prosor presented the donation to Joanna Lumley, the well-known British actress and lifelong campaigner for the Gurkhas – Nepalese soldiers who have been part of the British army for nearly 200 years. During that period, the Gurkhas have won 13 Victoria Crosses and served gallantly in most of Britain’s conflicts.
“Joanna Lumley’s passion and dedication for helping Gurkha soldiers who have fought alongside British forces inspired me to make this donation,” the ambassador said. “In Israel, we see our children conscripted at the age of 18, leaving Israeli families in constant fear and anxiety. Our care for our solders is reflected in Joanna’s passion for helping others who have fought and died to protect their country.”
The ambassador decided that if the film festival would not accept a donation from the Israeli government, then it should go to another worthy cause. “Since Israeli money is not good enough for those at the Edinburgh Film Festival, it was absolutely fabulous that the Gurkha Welfare Trust and Joanna Lumley were so appreciative for this little gesture,” he said.
Joanna, you are absolutely fabulous!
