What is ‘brave’ about giving back something you have stolen? Published: 06 August 2006 In Tony Blair’s speech in Los Angeles last Tuesday, he said he was sickened by what was happening in Lebanon but went on to effectively absolve Israel of responsibility for the devastation there. He urged: “Just for a moment, put yourself in Israel’s place.” In that one phrase, our Prime Minister summed up everything that is wrong with our policy for the Middle East. In that one statemen, he gave credence to all the so-called Islamic extremists who claim the British and American governments care nothing for Arabs. His protestations of sympathy were profoundly offensive, two days after the attack on Qana. If he had really wanted to help he should have been shouting long and loud for an immediate ceasefire to stop the killing of innocents, rather than opting for diplomatic sophistry, important though the proposed UN deal will be in the long term. continue...

Dear friend,

I don’t have to tell you how bad the crisis in Lebanon is—all you need do is glance at your newspaper or flip on the TV. But behind the grisly headlines are real people who desperately need our help. continue...