Talk To The Hand

Peter Brookes cartoon
George Galloway is a terrible waste of talent - in  my opinion.

To my mind he is a political narcissist who sees the world through a mirror - so when I saw this Peter Brookes cartoon in The Times the other I thought it summed up his character and politics prefectly.

The latest attention-seeking incident came just the other night when George 'stormed out' of a pre-arranged debate in the Oxford Union on a motion that: "Israel should withdraw immediately from the (Palestinian) West Bank".

The Cherwell, a popular web-based news forum in Oxford, recounts the incident:

Less than three minutes into Aslan-Levy’s speech against the motion, Galloway was made aware that his opponent was an Israeli citizen. “I have been misled,” Mr Galloway then commented, interrupting Aslan-Levy’s speech. “I don’t debate with Israelis”. He then left the room with his wife, Putri Gayatri Pertiwi, and was escorted out of Christ Church by a college porter. When prompted to explain why Aslan-Levy’s nationality prompted him to abandon the debate, Galloway stated that “I don't recognize Israeli citizens.”

Now that seems a very strange stance for a politician to take - I wonder what would have happened in Northern Ireland if some of the key players had said - 'I don't talk to Catholics or Republicans', for example.

The same stalemate could be achieved by substituting the words 'Catholics or Republicans' - for 'Protestants or Loyalists' of course - in which case where would the Good Friday Peace Agreement be now?

As it happens I would have spoken for and voted for the motion had I been present at the debate - but I can't abide this 'Talk to the Hand' school of politics because it will  only further isolate and marginalise the Palestinian cause.

By contrast Barcelona Football Club have just announced that they will play a football match in the summer - against a team comprising both Palestinian and Israeli players.

Now that seems to me an idea worth supporting and following up - because it has at least some chance of making people think.

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