Blears takes the advice of Israel’s attack-dog

Melanie Phillips, mostly known as the attack-dog for Israel, recently wrote in the Daily Mail:

‘The reason so many older British Muslims are traditionally moderate is that they were brought up in the Asian subcontinent under a tamed form of Islam, deriving from centuries of colonial rule, which glossed over much of the teaching of the religion.’

Cue Hazel Blears, Communities Secretary, who promptly declares the establishment of a new board to advise Muslims on Islam. I wonder whether this new board will ‘gloss’ over the teachings of Islam? Suffice to say that I don’t think I’ll win a Blue Peter badge on this one.

On the subject of the racist and Islamophobic Mel, can you imagine anyone writing similar things about Jews in a national newspaper? Here’s what it would look like:

‘The reason so many older British Jews are traditionally moderate is that they were brought up in Europe under a tamed form of Judaism, deriving from centuries of persecution, which glossed over much of the teaching of the religion. ‘

As for religious teaching, the Jewish Torah (Old Testament) tells the ancient Israelites how to deal with their enemies including the inhabitants of Canaan (modern day Palestine):

‘And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them.’ (Deuteronomy: Chapter 7)

So Melanie, is this the justification for Israel’s behaviour towards the Palestinians? Is that why Israel never seems to conclude a peace treaty with them? And is this the reason why it shows no mercy for their plight?