Unity is strength

Not everyone reading this will share my view that the overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan and Baathist totalitarianism in Iraq was a just and necessary cause. But probably few who disagree with me will have, by contrast, called for military victory for fascism.

Likewise, not everyone reading this will share my support for Israel's twin-track policy of withdrawing from Gaza while cracking down on terrorist groups, as a prerequisite of a negotiated two-state settlement with the Palestinians. But probably few who fault me for being pro-Israel would commend a Holocaust denier as an advocate of humane values.

Two groups who are actively campaigning for the Respect 'Coalition' in Bethnal Green and Bow - the Socialist Workers' Party and the Muslim Association of Britain - respectively do in fact take these views. Paul McGarr, an SWP ideologue, wrote in his party's newspaper during the Iraq War:

The best response to war would be protests across the globe which make it impossible for Bush and Blair to continue. But while war lasts by far the lesser evil would be reverses, or defeat, for the US and British forces.

That may be unlikely, given the overwhelming military superiority they enjoy. But it would be the best outcome in military terms.

The national spokesman of the MAB, Anas Altikriti, wrote in The Guardian on Friday:

We have ... recognised the stand of George Galloway and Respect, and will be backing him to oust pro-war Oona King in Bethnal Green and Bow.

His association also wrote, after Israel's assassination of the leader of Hamas a year ago:

The Muslim Association of Britain, on behalf of the Muslims of Britain, and on behalf of the vast majority of our fellow citizens, who will see this attack as an attack against peace in the region, condemn in no uncertain terms the cowardly murder of Dr Abdel Aziz Rantissi and those with him. A doctor of medicine, father and statesman fighting for the rights of Palestinian people across the globe, Dr Rantissi will be sorely missed. His commitment to the success of the Palestinian resistance and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, free from Zionist aggression, was second to none; [it was] a passion he paid for with his life. “Dr Rantissi lived to see the rights of a nation re-established, the right to live without fear, the right to a life free of occupation, the right to live as men and not as slaves. This is what Dr Rantissi lived for, this is what he died for,” said Ahmed Shaykh, President of the Muslim Association of Britain.

I do not here discuss the rights and wrongs of Israel's action; I merely point to the character of a man whom the MAB consider heroic. A few months before his death, Dr Rantissi wrote in a Hamas publication (emphasis added):

Many thinkers and historians have exposed the lies of the Zionists, thus becoming a target of Zionist persecution. Some have been assassinated, some arrested, and some are prevented from making a living. For example, Jewish associations and organizations have filed lawsuits against famous French philosopher Roger Garaudy, who in 1995 published his book 'The Founding Myths of Israeli Politics' in which he disproves the myth of the 'gas chambers,' saying, 'This idea is not technically possible. So far, no one has clarified how these false gas chambers worked, and what proof there is of their existence. Anyone with proof of their existence must show it.' British historian David Irving was also sued, while Austrian author Gerd Honsik was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment because he wrote a number of articles denying the existence of the gas chambers in the Nazi detention camps.

If you do not share the views of Respect's supporters, and whatever other political opinions you have, then I earnestly request you to support the campaign of Oona King, the Labour candidate in Bethnal Green and Bow. In this election she represents a far wider cause than her party affiliation. Much help will be required on election day. If you live in London, or are within striking distance, please contact Oona King's campaign headquarters; the telephone number is 020 7729
6682.

UPDATE: Please note that I have amended the telephone number for Oona King's campaign headquarters. The best number is the one now stated above.