Call a public inquiry into pro-Israel influence on politics & democracy

[Inauthentic]

This petition is calling for a public inquiry into alleged pro-Israel influence in UK politics.

If this is something you feel strongly about, you may want to look at the petition.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/752646?fbclid=Iwb21leAQBfvJjbGNrBAF-5WV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHmoGk2EfHTL0RZ-b8Cm-YKCw1PWUN_lB5vQEkFfuEB4EuWc4EwOoTSwfRxnN_aem_8U3rmKE71-tvR8IowzhMkA

That's not at all what this thread is about and it's not what your posts have been about. Plus that makes no sense - anti British in that instance?
You're not answering the questions posed by pp and I'm not sure why not.

Its not the influence of Israel as a country that needs looking into, its the influence of the Heritage Foundation, Tufton Street and the other shady 'think tanks'.

They are where the money and influence sit - they are the driving force behind MAGA in the US and Reform over here and their policies and aims align with those of the ruling Likud party in Israel.

Most of the evidence points to it being Russian based influence if anything.

We got close to starting to uncover the issues with Cambridge Analytica scandal, but that all went very quiet.

What specifically is it about Israel that upsets some people I wonder?

Yes, I agree that’s not at all what this thread is about.I honestly don’t see the logic. Calling for a public inquiry into a narrow group of influence for scrutiny is not antisemitic

I never said you were antisemitic.
I am questioning why your focus is on Israel, however, you didn't answer my posts above.

I would have thought China, Iran and Sudan were more troublesome global problems at the moment, but my query about those was left sadly unanswered.

It is when it is aimed at the only Jewish state in the world and Jewish people in Britain who support it. Why not talk about the lobbying by Arab States? If you don't think that takes place you are naive I'm afraid.

Of course there are other foreign lobbying groups with influence that deserve scrutiny.
You’re welcome to share any links to petitions you feel strongly about here, or start your own thread

You haven't answered the questions about why you're promoting this one, though.

I would rather focus on something actionable, which was my intention when I shared the link I came across.
If you post something with substance (like a link to a petition) I would be happy to consider it.

Instead of being concerned about lobbying from Israel on trades and the like why not try lobbying for better women's rights in the Islamic middle east. That to my mind is a large concern......

@mids2019 good idea, I'd certainly back that.

How is this not antisemitic when there are so many other countries way more problematic than Israel. Russia /Iran / treatment of women in Afghanistan? Yet this op wants us to focus on Israel?! Why? They’re our ally aren’t they?

Exactly

More than 1,000 local councillors have signed a "Palestine Pledge".
Israel's influence certainly isn't obvious at times

I visited a Holocaust memorial exhibition this week and its really striking how similar a lot of the tropes often used in here are unchanged from the rise of Nazism. Shadowy influence of Jews. Othering / Exceptionalism of Jews. The belief that this perception of a whole people is the truth and it takes strength and integrity to speak against Jews.

And I was reminded again of the very real singularity of what happened when this racism reached its apotheosis in the Final Solution.

Its deeply saddening and concerning. Anyone signing this petition needs to deeply think about whether or not they are exceptionalising Israel.

Thank you. The othering of Israel (as a Jewish state) is pure anti semitism.
My German born mother grew up in the shadow of the rise of the Nazis and it was only by a miracle that she escaped and arrived in England in August 1939. My grandmother died in a concentration camp. I fear greatly for my children and grand childen's future. 'The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing.'

Agree totally with everything you say, but I think this in particular is a real feature of what we’re seeing now: The belief that this perception of a whole people is the truth and it takes strength and integrity to speak against Jews.

There’s nothing more seductive than the sense of self-righteousness. The smug warm feeling of knowing you are ‘right’. And morally superior to others. Feeling like you belong to the crowd that’s on the right side of history. No need to consider nuance or balance, just a strong set of convictions and a sense you are fighting for justice, to right wrongs, to help the oppressed fight the oppressor.

It’s the current lefty mood music, but in essence it’s exactly the same psychological motivations - and exploitations - as those we see on the far right amongst the likes of Reform, etc. Simplistic, facile propaganda pushing the sense that one side is being victimised and one side is an attacker. No sense of nuance or consideration of complexities. No empathy for ‘the other side’. Decisions made that one group are always oppressed and the other always an oppressor.

We should be better than this by now, and we should have learnt from our mistakes. But it’s like we’re re-running the 1930s all over again. Depressing.

Thank you for your post, @HappyFace2025 .
Your last sentence is what I try to live by.
I'm not Jewish, no links to Israel, no skin in the game, but I've been utterly horrified by the descent into mindless antisemitism in this country.
Stupid, reductive and offensive slogans and banners which incite hatred and spread fear and ignorance.
In our city I saw a rally to support Iran, it was poorly attended. The Palestinian one brought the city to a standstill. Why?
My aim is to be a decent person and stand up to this and challenge all the ignorance, stupidity, prejudice and simplistic thinking on this issue.

Thank you so much. I have a number of non Jewish friends who feel the same as you and am very grateful to you all.

My elderly Jewish neighbours (in their 80s) got too scared to go to the synagogue recently. That shouldn't be happening. It was heartbreaking.

Agree Empress not Jewish myself but dear old friends of DH and Dds best friend are so am alert to the anti semitism. Once you see it you can’t unsee it.