British-Israel crisis: Timing is everything

Didn't Maggie T also expel "a senior Israeli diplomat" after a similar case? Was that because
of the timing of an embassy housewarming or a US row over housing in the occupied territories? No, didn't think so. Anyway it means there will be more Ferrero Rochard at the do this afternoon. See you there?

Why, are you going (from Aberdeen)? How will I recognise you?

I'll be wearing a red carnation and carrying the Financial Tiimes

Of course the timing has nothing to do with relegating to the inside pages the story about three senior Labour MPs being expelled from the PLP ....

Good point Jonathan, hadn't thought about that.

They know that the people they upset probably won't be voting Labour anyway, and probably won't make a fuss because we don't want to make ourselves targets of the kinds of extremists that like to set alight to BBC buildings, riot, attack police, beat up Jews in broad daylight, etc.

Cowardly, hypocritical, treacherous bastards.

And this could be a perfect opportunity for the Tories to act like a proper opposition and hold the treacherous, cowardly, hypocritical Labour government to account for their betrayal.

Will they?

Yep, thought so. Timing had nothing to do with this. Thatcher did it first in 1986 when the UK hoofed out the Mossad rep, Arye Regev, also after a passport scam. She also sus[ended all ties with Israeli intelligence. Not an oxymoron in this case. Nothing to do with housewarmings, discredited Labour MPs, spats with the US over illegal building in Jerusalem or any other lame excuse.
Former Israeli ambassador to the UK, Zvi Stauber, told Ynet that London has no interest in blowing up the affair, but "They had to do something. There is also a link with the general feeling that 'Israel is not immune'."
"If the US, which is the sign of what is permitted and what is forbidden in relations with Israel, is ready to pull up its sleeves in dealing with Israel, other states can too," he continued. "The issue of passport use is not central in the UK electorate, but I have no doubt that Labor and Prime Minister Gordon Brown were under internal pressure to do something. On the other hand, I think Britain has a relatively supportive government regarding Israel."

Why do so many people (on this site) - strain at a knat and swallow a camel?
Every time someone accuses Israel of wrongdoing, or major gaffs in it's foreign policy or it's diplomacy skills (or lack there of) - it's because the Brits 'want to hide a news story', or 'Clinton wants revenge on Monica Lewinsky'.....

Read it straight for what it is - Israel is messing things up in their own country and generally seem to have an arrogant attitude towards others (metaphorically sticking two fingers up at the world), and we're not even talking about their (many enemies) or even neutrals - but their 'supposed' allies!

Read it for what it is: Israel says it wants a peace settlement and it's actions, on the very day of America's visit, start building on Palestinian land?
Either be honest and say you have no intention of having peace talks - and sharing the land - or show integrity and do as you say (and don't mock the powerful that protect you).

Britain - Israel have shown no remorse, or sign of an apology and have denied the whole thing - are Israel trying to mock the British intelligence service?

As for miriam saying it's a slap in the face for not attending some 'Israeli housewarming party' - it';s only a return for "...adding insult to injury”. as Milliband put it.

I'm anticipating the usual someone ready to call him a Jewish anti- semite, no doubt in order to deflect one's own (or the state of Israel's) guilt and yet again blame the world instead of 'looking at the man in the mirror'.....