How eating ‘Marmite’ can help the Israeli campaign

Lets keep it in simple geographical context: it’s about freedom seeking innocent Palestinians being exterminated by the Israeli Dalek machines. It’s about Jewish holocaust nightmares fuelling the Israelis to defy all, even God, to harm them again.

But Francesca Segal’s article in the Observer, was the most childish, boot licking, pathetic #!@!, I have read. Because it was written by a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It had hints of fascist, racist and malignant undercurrents laced with little miss Jewess being a good British citizen. Her notion of being British: Having a ‘Labrador’, ‘Sunday lunch’ and ‘eating Marmite’.

If indeed she was sincere, then I am indeed very sympathetic; for the ordinary innocent British Jews who are facing a backlash from over-zealous pro-Palestinian supporters; whose antics are illegal, cowardly and unjust.

But the Francescas of this world need a little reality check: the rest of us British ‘foreigners’ with beards, turbans and dark skin have been experiencing attacks and abuse as an everyday part of life since we were born. But we have not threatened to leave Britain because of it. It’s our home. I wonder if the pinch turned to punch, who will be really loyal to Britain in its time of need? Sadly the commentaries generated by her article, generally depicts a morbid picture of Jews ‘in’ and Muslims ‘out’.

This is the real face of the ugly war isn’t it?

While innocent Gazans are massacred, we have fascists, racists and the revenge squad for anti-Semites, teaming up to serve their own hidden agenda. I will make it very clear, here, that I do not want to play this war of words; Jews against Muslims in Britain. How does this help the Gazans I ask?

How can anyone ever win against a global movement such as the Zionist Israeli controlled Media Monster Machine?

The real weapons of mass destruction are not just bombs exploding in Gaza. It is the world-wide poisonous pen, the sickly sweet rhetoric by the powerful and the stores and supermarkets selling Israeli goods – and thus supporting the occupation and killing.

The effect of a machine gun is immediate; it kills instantly. The impact of the poison pen and sophisticated slanders are there to turn minds and root prejudice while shaping stereotypes: that all Muslims are enemies of the civilised world. A poison with endless political, geographical and religious ripping of the very fabric of human coexistence.

And it gets worse…thanks to the Time’s review of Anne Frank on the BBC, I started looking widely. Here’s my list of the hidden war of propaganda, released this month, a timely coincidence?

1) The BBC’s screening of Anne Frank; with reviews so far echoing appreciation of the timely reminder of Jewish suffering

“…And perhaps, as the Gaza Strip burns yet again, it was a timely reminder for us all of some of the reasons Israel feels compelled to defend itself so aggressively.”

2) Defiance – about the Jewish resistance, in UK cinemas now. The story was published in 1993, but remained largely unknown. Could it be because the story does not shy away from the resistance’s brutal acts to survive?

3) Valkyrie - in UK cinemas from 23rd January; about a German colonel – the mastermind behind the failed plot to assassinate Hitler in July 1944.

4) The Reader- in UK cinemas; about Nazi concentration camps and the effects on their children and their victims.

5) The BBC news downplaying scenes and casualties in Gaza, as they did in reporting numbers for last week’s demo.

6) The Anti-semitic flag flying high in the media to distract the horrified British public into guilt-ridden silences.

Need I go on?

One more: If you are anti-Israel in this war, then you are also anti-Jewish and anti-semitic, the latter the ultimate crime holding the world at ransom.

Unfortunately for the pro-Palestinian campaign, as one reporter put it this week; we have poor media representation and alienating propaganda strategies. Too true! We don’t have prime time TV stations brainwashing viewers with pro-Palestinian rhetoric; we don’t have sophisticated self-pitying articles depicting a sense of Britishness with Marmite; and we most certainly don’t have Barons and Baronesses taking their heads out of the sand.

Instead we have a person divorcing his name from his Muslim roots to lend him an ‘Ed-wardian appeal, to perhaps dazzle his Anglo-Saxon masters into forgetting his skin colour and thinking his one of ‘them’. What does Ed-ward do? He writes an article professing his Muslimness, his frustrations as a Muslim, his global connection with all other Muslims who are truly (only) understanding the plight and suffering of the Palestinians. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!

While Francesca’s article warmed her readers towards her message, Ed-ward’s article not only earned him over 100 comments of disapproval , but also alienated the good will and solidarity of the just cause both peace loving Muslims and non-Muslims are working so hard to achieve. Thanks Ed.

Like the Palestinians, we British Muslims also share with them the fire in the belly, but with poor penmanship. Because perhaps we are naive in our honesty, hot-headed outbursts and brutal bluntness. But perhaps it’s also because we have no hidden agendas.

Our strength however lies in the human heart. We have hope in its purity and goodness to outcast the brainwashing effects of its owner’s mind. The feelings of the heart will tell the real story. So our job above all else is to remain truthful, honest and maintain good character and good action; using wise words to counter the war of the manipulative media. A creative mastering of the pen will also help!

Let’s remind ourselves of the epitome of beauty and wisdom: Ja’far bin Abi Talib. His words of wisdom in reply to allegations made towards the Muslims seeking refuge under the protection of the Christian Negus of Abyssinia; That in the face of hardship and persecution, beautiful conduct and wise words will earn you protectors. How did Ja’far win over the Negus’s good sense of justice? By being honest and highlighting what connects them together.

Which is why Francesca and Not Ed was able to win over the readers, with her ‘familiar’ use of ‘Marmite’ and Sunday lunches.