"Israel's Ambassador fails to impress"
Published on the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign Web site, at:
http://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2734:israels-ambassador-fails-to-impress&catid=246&Itemid=100445
November 12, 2008
...In fact just under 100 people attended Prosor’s meeting, outnumbered by the 150+ protestors outside. The majority of those inside the hall were clearly hostile to Israel’s policies, including a significant number who left from and returned to the protest otutside. Every single question addressed to Prosor was critical of Israeli ethnic cleansing and violations of international law.
The miniscule number of pro-Israel supporters turning out at a huge prestige venue (capacity over 1,000) to hear the Israeli Ambassador reflects the collapse of Zionist morale in Edinburgh, across Scotland and around the world.
...So terrible have Israel’s crimes become, so many agree with Archbishop Tutu’s description of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians as an ‘abomination’, that it is simply no longer possible to defend Israel on any public forum. This despite the unflinching support for Israeli crimes by western governments.
The drift towards a mass boycott of Israel is clear for all to see including Zionist spokespersons. Scottish PSC will continue to work with others committed to universal human rights to extend this boycott campaign in order to show solidarity with the Palestinians in their bitter suffering and their steadfastness in struggle and to that small but significant group of Israelis who wish to see an end to the ethnic cleansing carried out by their state and genocidal settlers.
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Here is how the mainstream media reported the event in Edinburgh:
"Israeli ambassador draws vocal protest:
"Ron Prosor defends Israeli policy in the occupied territories as Palestinian supporters shout abuse at audience members"
Sunday 23 November 2008
EDINBURGH JOURNAL (Scotland, U.K.)
The Journal Issue 14
On the Web at:
http://www.journal-online.co.uk/article/5097-israeli-ambassador-draws-vocal-protest
Over 100 people rallied outside Edinburgh University in protest about a lecture given by the Israeli ambassador earlier this month.
The protest, organised by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC), demonstrated against the controversial appearance of Israel’s envoy Ron Proser, amid attacks by Israel claiming seven Palestinian lives.
Mick Napier, chair of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign said: "The Israeli Ambassador should not have been allowed a platform to justify Israel’s crimes – not in a week when Israel attacked and killed seven Palestinians while claiming it is maintaining a ‘ceasefire’. Not while Israeli bulldozers continue to destroy Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem.
"Until such times as Israel ceases to boycott the rights of the Palestinian people, people of conscience have a duty to boycott this shameful Israeli PR exercise.”
Earlier this year, a similar lecture to be given by Prosor was cancelled by the university, after the group threatened to protest against the ambassador, who they described as "the ambassador of the apartheid state of Israel."
The SPSC was established in 2000 in reaction to the second uprising against the Israeli occupation of Palestine and has since campaigned against human rights issues in the region.
SPSC spokesperson Asif Dean told The Journal: “Basically this week alone they’ve killed seven Palestinians while they claim to be maintaining a ceasefire.
“They’ve evicted a family that was in a house for 52 years. This house was given to them by the UN and it was taken over by armed settlers backed up by the army and the police… now they’ve blocked medicines, they’ve blocked food and they’re blocking power going into Gaza.”
But Prosor, who was appointed Israel’s ambassador in 2007, has rejected claims of human rights abuses in the region and has slammed Britain for racial prejudice against Israel.
In an article published by The Telegraph in June, Prosor said: “Israel faces an intensified campaign of de-legitimisation, demonisation and double standards.
“Britain has become a hotbed for radical anti-Israeli views and a haven for disingenuous calls for a 'one-state solution,' a euphemistic name for a movement advocating Israel's destruction.”
Although Israel claims to be "disengaged" from Gaza, an incident last week involving the arrest of Scottish citizen Andrew Muncie, as well as 15 Palestinian fishermen and two other international human rights observers, took place in Palestinian waters.
The prisoners were seen being transferred by the Israeli Navy from three boats to an Israeli warship, which then headed north....
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