Posts by Robyn Rosen

Rockets hit southern Israel

Robyn Rosen — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:29:42 +0100

More than 10 rockets have been fired at Ashkelon, Beersheva and Kiryat Gat after Palestinians mounted a series of terrorist attacks in southern Israel.

The missile attack followed a multi-pronged assault yesterday which left eight people dead and 40 injured after two civilian buses travelling to Eilat were shot at, an IDF patrol vehicle bombed, and mortar shells hit a civilian tractor near to the Israel-Egypt border.

Among those that died was Staff Sergeant Moshe Naftali, a 22 year-old soldier from Ofra.

During an exchange of fire between IDF soldiers and the terrorist squad, seven terrorists were killed.

Responding to the attacks, Israel Air Force aircrafts targeted seven sites in Gaza overnight, including a weapon manufacturing site and smuggling tunnels.

An IDF statement said: "The IDF will not tolerate any malicious attempt to harm Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers, and will not hesitate to respond with strength and determination to any element that uses terror against the State of Israel and until calm is restored.

"The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organi sation solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip."

Today missiles hit a synagogue, the courtyard of a yeshivah in Ashdod, injuring 18 people and a building in an Ashdod industrial park, which left six people wounded, one of them seriously.

Labour Friends of Israel chairman John Woodcock MP said: "I am appalled and disgusted by these vicious, cowardly and deadly attacks on innocent Israelis, and send my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured.

"We hope that the international community stands with Israel in this very difficult time and works together to put a stop to the smuggling of advanced weapons to the Hamas terrorist organisation and its allies in the Gaza Strip – weapons which have caused so much misery, and continue to damage to the prospects for peace in the region."

Eilat terror 'most severe' in area in years

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:31:37 +0100

The Israel Defence Force says it has the situation under control after a series of terrorist attacks in southern Israel which have left five people dead.

Lieutenant Colonel Avital Leibovich, an IDF spokeswoman, confirmed there were multiple attacks – two on civilian buses, one on an IDF patrol vehicle and one on a civilian tractor.

During the first attack at midday today local time, shots were fired from the Egyptian side of the border at an Egged civilian bus travelling from Shizafon to Eilat.

A total of 14 people, including tourists and soldiers, were injured.

While the medical teams were evacuating the wounded, additional reports came in of a second incident on the same road.

This attack, on another public bus and two other vehicles, led to several injuries and an Israeli ambulance spokesman confirmed five deaths.

Shortly after, a patrol vehicle of IDF soldiers who were making their way to the scene after being alerted to the attack, were targeted by a road-side bomb.

The fourth attack, with mortar shells, targeted a civilian tractor which was conducting maintenance work on the Israel-Egypt border.

During an exchange of fire between IDF soldiers and the terrorist squad, seven terrorists were killed.

Lt Col Leibovich said: "We have now taken control of the situation. At this stage, I can say that the terrorist squad originated in Gaza, but I don't have further information on whether it was al-Qaeda or another organisation.

"The IDF has been on alert in that area and we have had similar events before but not in this multi-layered manner. We are prepared for terrorists trying to attack civilians. However I think this is the most severe terror incident we have had in this area in the last couple of years.

"The IDF has a distinct goal to protect the civilians of Israel. We will not tolerate such a severe terrorist attack."

She added that some of the roads are still closed and investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile Israeli Defence Minister, Ehud Barak, has said Palestinian terrorists are behind the attacks. He said: "The event reflects the weakening of the Egyptian hold on Sinai and the expansion of terrorist action in the area.

"The source of the terror acts is Gaza, and we will act against them with full force and determination."

Alistair Burt, the UK Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East, said: "I condemn these appalling and senseless acts of violence.

"As efforts for peace in the region continue, this brutality has no place, nor its perpetrators any excuse. My thoughts and prayers are with those killed and injured and I offer sincere condolences to their families and friends."

Egypt reportedly closed on Thursday the Rafah border crossing, which is the only crossing from the Gaza Strip into the Sinai peninsula, Channel 2 reported.

Londoner triumphs in international yacht event

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:34:16 +0100

A London Jewish businessman is celebrating after his yachting team won a trophy at the prestigious Fastnet offshore sailing race.

Richard Loftus, 68, who is a member of South Hampstead Synagogue and director of the Accurist Watch Company, captained a three-yacht team representing the Herzliya Yacht Club, led by his own boat, Desperado of Cowes.

The other two yachts in the team were Leopard and Uxorious. They won the Martin Hollingsworth trophy for the fastest three boats in the 300 boat fleet after completing the 600 mile race.

Mr Loftus, who celebrated with his crew with a kiddush of herring and vodka, said: "It is an honour to win a trophy for Israel and Herzliya in what is considered to be one of the world's most prestigious offshore races and I want to thank my crew of 16 and the crews of Leopard and Uxorious.

"As skipper of Desperado, it is nice to know that it's not only my family that thinks I'm a captain."

Barak: Palestinian terrorists behind deadly Eilat attack

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:48:59 +0100

Israeli defence minister, Ehud Barak, has said Palestinian terrorists are behind three attacks in Israel today, which has left five people dead.

During the first attack, shots were fired, reportedly from the Egyptian side of the border, at an Egged civilian bus travelling from Shizafon to Eilat, in southern Israel.

Seven casualties were treated by Magen David Adom medics and taken to Yoseftal Hospital in Eilat. Five of the wounded were suffering from gunshot wounds and their condition was declared moderate.

The Israel Defence Force (IDF) confirmed that five soldiers were among those injured in the attack.

While the medical teams were evacuating the wounded, additional reports came in of a second incident on the same road.

This attack, on another vehicle, involved a roadside bomb. An MDA spokesman confirmed that five people were killed at the scene and several others injured.

The third event involved an exchange of fire between IDF soldiers and the terrorist squad, where the seven terrorists were killed.

Avital Leibowitz, an IDF spokesman, told the JC: "We are looking at a combined terrorist attack which has infiltrated Israel from Gaza."

The IDF is transferring numerous forces to southern Israel, among them the counter-terrorist unit, military helicopters and patrols.

Following the attacks, Mr Barak said: "The event reflects the weakening of the Egyptian hold on Sinai and the expansion of terrorist action in the area.

"The source of the terror acts is Gaza, and we will act against them with full force and determination."

Informed speculation in the UK intelligence community suggested that the attacks may well have been masterminded by an al-Qaeda cell infiltrating from Sinai. The intelligence maintained that the attacks were beyond the capability of Hamas.

Zionist Federation chairman, Harvey Rose, said: "This cowardly attack once again shows the constant threat of terrorism that Israel faces. My thoughts are with the family and friends of those hurt and killed."

James Clappison MP, the parliamentary vice-chair of Conservative Friends of Israel, said he was shocked to hear of the attack. "It's especially shocking after so many peaceful years on the Egyptian-Israeli border, to see reports of gunmen - some of them wearing Egyptian uniform - launching an unprovoked attack and thereby raising questions about security on the Egyptian side of the border."

Alistair Burt, the FCO Minister for the Middle East, said: "I condemn these appalling and senseless acts of violence.

Vivian Wineman, President of the Board of Deputies said: "This atrocity re-emphasises the need for all people of the region to reject extremism, embrace negotiation and find a durable peace. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and all the people of Israel."

Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, said: "The especially troubling new element in this attack is that the perpetrators apparently exploited the reduced presence and attention of Egyptian security forces in the Sinai region to gain access to Israel.

"This development highlights the new security dynamic confronting Israel in a changing Middle East. Israel has no choice but to once again respond to wanton terror attacks on its soil in order to protect Israeli civilians and deter terrorists."

Minister Alan Duncan says Israel wall 'land-grab'

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:44:41 +0100

The Government has said the views of Alan Duncan, Minister for International Development, who described the Israeli security wall as a "land-grab" and claimed Israelis deliberately take water away from Palestinians, reflects its position.

Mr Duncan makes the comments in a video used on the Department for International Development's (DfID) website to illustrate its new four-year plan to support Palestinians.

He says: "The wall is a land-grab. It hasn't just gone along the lines of the proper Israeli boundary. It's taken in open land which actually belongs to Palestine. So that's not a security wall, that's a perimeter wall trying to annex land that does not belong to Israel."

He was filmed during a visit to the West Bank earlier this year where he signed an agreement with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

Mr Duncan adds: "Let me give you the real picture of what settlement activity amounts to. Israeli settlers can build what they want and then immediately get the infrastructure so that takes the water deliberately away from Palestinians here. The Israelis can build and this is not their country, but the Palestinians, whose country this is, cannot build."

Andrew Balcombe, of the British Israel Group, said: "We think it is appalling that a minister of the British government is the featured speaker in a one-sided video that is inaccurate and inflammatory."

Alan Aziz, executive director of the Zionist Federation, said: "Mr Duncan is presenting a one-sided account that is not just inaccurate, but openly biased. It has no place on an official Government website."

Stuart Polak, director of Conservative Friends of Israel, said: "CFI raised this at the highest levels of government immediately after the video was posted.

"We were assured that this was not government policy and no Foreign Office minister would concur with these assessments.

"I would seriously question on what authority the DfID minister has raised these issues as policy and why this video is still available to view."

But a DfID spokesman said the views "reflected" those of the government.

He said: "Mr Duncan was speaking during a visit to the West Bank. His comments reflect the consistently held government position that settlements are illegal and are an obstacle to peace and the two-state solution."

When asked specifically about his comments on the security wall and water theft, another spokesman said: "He is a government minister and speaks on behalf of the government."

A spokesman from the Foreign Office said that DfID's line "is the government's position".

10 wounded in Eilat bus attack

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:14:30 +0100

Five people have died and at least 10 left wounded after three Israeli buses were shot at, it has been reported.

The initial shots, reportedly from the Egyptian side of the border, were fired at a bus travelling 20km from Eilat, in southern Israel.

Seven casualties were treated by Magen David Adom medics and taken to Yoseftal Hospital in Eilat. Five of the wounded were suffering from gunshot wounds and their condition was declared moderate.

An IDF spokesman confirmed that five soldiers were among those injured in the attack. The terrorists fled the scene and are still being pursued by IDF forces.

While the medical teams were evacuating the wounded, additional reports of a second incident started flowing in – on the same road.

A private vehicle and a bus were hit by explosives and there were several casualties. Informed speculation in the UK intelligence community suggested that the attacks may well have been masterminded by an al-Qaeda cell infiltrating from Sinai. The intelligence maintained that the attacks were beyond the capability of Hamas.

Ofir Gendelman, the Israeli prime minister's spokesperson to the Arab media, tweeted that the three terrorists who attacked the bus have been killed by Israeli police special forces.

Orthodox school wins reprieve

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:32:09 +0100

A strictly Orthodox primary school in Stamford Hill has been granted temporary retrospective planning permission.

With around two dozen pupils, the Gur school has been operating from a three-storey house in Fairholt Road for almost a year.

Hackney Council has approved plans for a five-classroom school for 40 boys aged from three-to-seven.

The council received 102 letters of support and 25 objections.

Those against the school cited concerns including traffic congestion and increased parking, noise and an over-concentration of schools in a residential area.

Hackney "accepted that there is a need for these schools partly due to the fact that the Orthodox Jewish community do not wish their children to be taught in mainstream schools due to religious values.

"The fact that this residential property is currently being used as a school lends weight to the argument that this educational facility is required, otherwise the children could be assimilated into existing schools in the area." The planning consent is for a year.

School manager Abraham Schreiber said: "We are happy that they have granted the permission and we want to have a good relationship with the neighbours.

"Our community is growing and growing and there was no space for our kids in the other schools.

"We are looking into applying to extend the permission or finding bigger premises."

Golders Green school reaches final hurdle

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:32:05 +0100

Plans for a modern Orthodox free school in Golders Green are a step closer with the announcement that it has reached the final stage of the application process.

The Golders Green Jewish Primary School has met the criteria set by the government's free schools programme and is now through to the interview stage. Backed by the Chief Rabbi, it will be presided over by Golders Green United Synagogue's Rabbi Harvey Belovski.

Under the terms of the scheme, it will be required to accept 50 per cent of pupils on a faith basis and 50 per cent on proximity.

GGJPS steering committee chair Rachel Clark said: "We view the invitation to interview as very good news and look forward to explaining our proposal in person to senior officials at the department."

She hoped the school would be ready to open in September 2012 with a reception class. The Department for Education is due to make its decision next month.

Etz Chaim in Mill Hill and Eden Primary in Haringey were among the first 16 applications accepted for free school status and are set to start in September.

Leaders of a campaign for a 210-place free Jewish high school in Leeds are challenging the DfE's rejection of their scheme.

Israel 'smeared candidate' for Irish presidency

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:16:41 +0100

Israel has been accused of launching a smear campaign against Irish presidential candidate, Senator David Norris, after a blogger wrote about his relationship with an Israeli peace activist.

John Connolly, a 22-year-old Zionist blogger from Ealing, revealed last month that Senator Norris's former partner, activist Ezra Nawi, had been convicted of a series of crimes, including sleeping with an underage boy.

Last week, Mr Connolly wrote that Mr Norris had expressed solidarity with Mr Nawi in the Irish Parliament. It was later disclosed by an Irish newspaper that Mr Norris had written a letter to an Israeli court pleading for clemency for Mr Nawi.

Following the revelations, a number of journalists and bloggers, including columnist Ian O'Doherty of the Irish Independent and blogger Aindreas Mac, insinuated that the Israeli embassy of Ireland had leaked the letter to the press.

The embassy has strongly denied the claim, saying it has "absolutely no foundation".

Mr Connolly, who has faced accusations that he is a Mossad agent, said: "I wanted to get this information out because this man is running for president and I thought he had abused his position. If I had come across this news about any candidate, I would have published it. I disagree with him about a lot of things, not just Israel."

Mill Hill primary wins site battle

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:12:40 +0100

Planning permission has been granted for the Etz Chaim Jewish Primary in Mill Hill despite vociferous local opposition.

The one-form entry primary - one of the government's first free schools - will accept nursery and reception pupils in the autumn.

Barnet Council's planning consent will enable it to open its permanent premises on the site of the Wyevale garden centre in Daws Lane in 2012. The one-form entry school will eventually house 222 pupils.

More than 2,000 people signed a petition opposing the plans and a Facebook group, Keep Wyevale garden centre Mill Hill, attracted more than 200 members.

Etz Chaim governors' chair Adam Dawson said the school was looking for ways to make facilities available to the local community in the evenings, weekends and school holidays.

A website has been set up as a platform for suggestions.

"We are delighted to have secured planning permission. This is a very exciting time for our community. Over the coming months, our focus will be on ensuring the site will be a well-loved community hub, as well as a school with the highest possible academic standards."

A number of suggestions had already been received on possible additional use of the building. "Several local clubs and groups have expressed an interest in using the school hall as a meeting place," Mr Dawson reported. "People have also suggested that the playground be made available to local children at weekends."

Barnet education chief Councillor Andrew Harper said: "The council will be pleased to welcome Etz Chaim to Barnet's family of schools. Free schools like this will enrich the choice available to our residents.

"We support this addition to our borough as it will provide extra primary school places in an area where there is high demand. It will also contribute to the council's aim of making sure that every school is a good school for every child."

Jersey MP gets more hate mail

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:27:07 +0100

Jersey's deputy chief minister, Freddie Cohen, has once again been the victim of antisemitic hate mail just weeks after announcing he would step down following a racist death threat.

Senator Cohen, the former president of Jersey's 65-family Jewish community, said he and his family were left "deeply upset" after receiving the letter at his home address.

"The content is traditional, deep-rooted, abhorrent antisemitism," he said. "Had the letter been written in the Middle Ages or in the 1930s, the content could have been similar.

"This view is something we had hoped was no longer prevalent in a modern, civilised democracy. It's quite extraordinary that even a small number can hold such extreme, out-of-date, irrational views."

Last month the 53-year-old father of four said he would not stand at the next election after he was bombarded with a series of antisemitic messages and a death threat.

The messages were a response to a controversial planning development.

Jersey's chief minister, Senator Terry le Sueur, spoke out against the messages in the States, the island's parliament, calling it a "misuse of freedom of speech".

Spin doctors get a surgery

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:26:10 +0100

Campaigners are being given lessons in combating anti-Israel rhetoric in the media.

Around 30 people took part in the Zionist Federation's Writing Course for Israel Advocates in London on Sunday where they learnt about writing letters to the editor, effective blogging and how to respond on forums, Facebook and Twitter.

The course was led by journalist David Harris, director of research and content at The Israel Project, a non-profit organisation which provides information about Israel to the press.

Among the participants was Joseph Heller, a strictly Orthodox speech- writer from Hendon whose yeshiva roommate became a member of anti-Zionist group Neturei Karta. Mr Heller, a 50-year-old father of six, said: "I feel it's my responsibility to stand up for Israel in the Orthodox community.

"I was in yeshiva for seven years and dormed with a man who came from a normal background but met people, was influenced by them and excited by their ideology. Now he is frequently photographed on the Palestine side of demonstrations and is in Neturei Karta. This course has opened my eyes to techniques and tactics."

Oliver Manyemba, a 50-year-old Christian lecturer originally from Zimbabwe, said he had signed up to the course to help combat anti-Israel activities on campus.

Mr Manyemba, who teaches at Cass Business School in London, said: "There is a very strong Muslim group of students who are very outspoken against Israel. There are Jewish students who don't have the confidence and are too scared to speak out in support of Israel.

"I want to develop writing skills to influence young people, Jewish and non-Jewish, to make sure they are informed before they make decisions."

Another Christian, Greek-born teacher George Koutroukis, 32, from Golders Green, was keen to confront anti-Israel rhetoric online.

He said: "I often write on chat rooms and blogs. I feel that Britain is one of the most anti-Israel countries in the West. I have learnt that when responding to anti-Israel content, you should put your main point in the first paragraph, and give your real details, as this gives legitimacy."

Mayor's hi-tech hopes

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:25:35 +0100

The Lord Mayor of London has said that the capital is a "natural home for Israeli companies" after returning from leading a business delegation to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Michael Bear, a member of New North London Synagogue, visited Israel earlier this month to promote UK-based financial and professional services and to explore opportunities in the OPT.

He met Israeli president Shimon Peres, Bank of Israel governor Stanley Fischer and Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz. Mr Steinitz expressed surprise at what he saw as growing animosity in the UK towards a Jewish state in Israel and said he hoped that political leaders could help calm these trends.

The Lord Mayor was "struck by the enormous economic progress that Israel has made over the last decade, including coming through the financial crisis in robust health" and said the country had a "world-class" high tech sector.

He also visited Ramallah and met Palestinian Prime Minister, Salam Faayad.

Members of the delegation plan to return to Israel to pursue opportunities to work more closely in finance and technology.

Alderman Bear said: "As the world's pre-eminent financial centre, the City of London is a natural home for Israeli companies and I hope my visit will help us along the path towards greater bilateral co-operation - particularly with regards to the high-tech sector - removing barriers to trade and facilitating greater market access."

Amy Winehouse: a frail little girl on course of self destruction

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:24:35 +0100

The rabbi who conducted Amy Winehouse's funeral service spoke for the first time this week of the trauma for her parents who lost their singer-sognwriter daughter.

Former Finchley Progressive Synagogue minister Rabbi Frank Hellner was asked to conduct the funeral service after a friend of Amy's father, who works with the rabbi's wife at Hendon Reform Synagogue, suggested him.

"I was quite surprised to get the call," Rabbi Hellner said. He immediately contacted Mitch Winehouse and his former wife, Janis, and visited them in East Barnet on Monday. "They were very stoic," he said. "It's the worst thing to have to bury your child. I think they knew this was a strong possibility. She was on a course of self-destruction. Although she was fighting at the end and thought she had prevailed, it had gone too far. She was a frail little girl, and I think it was too much for her body and she succumbed."

"There was no feeling of guilt that they should or could have done more. They tried to do their best, but she was a grown-up with her own mind."

He said they knew what funeral arrangements they wanted and that Amy had said she wanted to be cremated. "They felt they would have a public service for all the friends and fans at Edgwarebury Lane and then a private, intimate service at Hoop Lane."

Rabbi Hellner said: "In the Liberal movement, cremation is well accepted. I think it was because her grandmother was cremated and they wanted their ashes together."

He addressed mourners at the funeral and told them: "It is a great loss, not just for us, but for people around the world who know her by her music and her passion. She belonged not just to us but to the world." He led prayers in Hebrew and English and Mitch Winehouse and her brother, Alex, said kaddish. Mr Winehouse told the mourners: "Amy was the greatest daughter, family member and friend you could ever have." He said he spoke to her three times a day and that she had just completed three weeks of abstinence from drinking.

He added that he had decided to set up the Amy Winehouse Foundation, to support those struggling with substance abuse.

His daughter once attended Cockfosters Synagogue nursery and was involved with the Jewish Lads' and Girls' Brigade when younger.

After the ceremony, about 100 close family and friends travelled to Golders Green crematorium in Hoop Lane. Jewish music producer, Marc Ronson, who described Ms Winehouse as "like a sister" to him, was among the mourners.

Mitch Winehouse, wearing a white kippah, greeted mourners. Amy's brother Alex looked physically exhausted, and was helped into the service by a friend who had his arm around him.

Her mother, Janis, a member of Southgate Progressive Synagogue, wore, like her famous daughter, a large magen David necklace.

The family observed three nights of shivah at Southgate Progressive Synagogue. Rabbi Danny Rich, chief executive of Liberal Judaism, led the service on the first night at what he called "Amy's shul, where Alex celebrated his barmitzvah and Amy was brought up".

In an announcement in the JC, her parents, brother and step-parents said: "Our darling Amy, in our hearts forever. Love conquers all."

Eastenders spot for Jewish actor Elliot Rosen

Robyn Rosen — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:29:10 +0100

A Jewish actor with Down's Syndrome has landed his dream role as a character in Eastenders.

Elliot Rosen, 32, will play Craig Moon, the son of antiques dealer, Eddie, played by singer and actor David Essex, (long-lost brother of hot-tempered businessman Michael), on the BBC soap.

He has had small roles previously in Holby City and Peak Practice and featured in a Channel 4 drama which questioned the ethics of allowing people with learning disabilities to have sexual relationships.

During an interview with the JC in 2007, Mr Rosen's father, Stuart, said: "He wants to have a regular part in Eastenders. It's his absolute favourite show."

A BBC spokeswoman said Mr Rosen would appear in a "few episodes" in September.

Ivor Dembina's show no joke for protester

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:28:18 +0100

A Jewish comedian has called for an investigation and threatened legal action after a protester disrupted his set at the London Jewish Cultural Centre, urging him to reveal his anti-Israel views.

Ivor Dembina, founder of the Hampstead Comedy Club, was performing in Ivy House in Golders Green on Monday, as part of an Edinburgh Festival preview, when protester Harvey Garfield interrupted his set.

Mr Dembina, who has previously been to Israel and the West Bank with the International Solidarity Movement and is a signatory of Jews for Justice for Palestinians, has been outspoken in his views against Israel including in his show, This is Not a Subject for Comedy, which explores the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Earlier this month, activist Richard Millett accused Mr Dembina of being an "anti-Zionist" and called for others to protest outside the venue.

"People don't know his politics and what he does in his spare time", Mr Millett said.

A group of protesters picketed outside the venue and handed out flyers.

Mr Garfield, a 58-year-old limousine operator from Stanmore, sat in the audience and stood up near the end of the 45-minute set. He accused Mr Dembina of performing a "tame version for a Jewish audience".

After the event, he said: "Dembina is virulently anti-Israel. It's bad enough that Jews are prepared to co-operate with delegitimisers. To do it under the auspices of a Jewish community centre is beyond the pale."

Afterwards Mr Dembina said: "I asked the LJCC to mount an investigation into the incident.

"Unruly and disruptive behaviour in the audience comes with the job of being a stand-up comedian and it's usually harmless.

"That said, in 25 years in Jewish comedy, during which I have performed both in Britain and abroad - including in Israel -this is the first time someone has attended a performance of mine with the apparent intention of sabotaging it.

"I regard it as a great pity that the LJCC, with its laudable aim of presenting a programme that reflects a wide range of views from across the community had its event spoiled by an individual whose actions ruined my contribution to the event."

But a spokeswoman for the LJCC insisted that it had not been asked to investigate, and said it would "do no more".

Don't target Hatton Garden, jewellers say

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:28:10 +0100

Pro-Palestine demonstrators have organised a protest in London's Hatton Garden as part of a campaign to boycott Israeli diamonds, which they claim "fund war crimes".

Diamond traders have raised concerns about the plans by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which call on demonstrators to gather in August to picket the famous London street lined with jewellery shops.

They claim that the Israeli diamond industry is generating revenue for Israel's military, and that as one of the five major hubs of the global diamond industry, Hatton Garden should be targeted to "educate shoppers and jewellers about the trade in diamonds from Israel that fund war crimes and crimes against humanity".

But jeweller Jeremy Hartstone, who has five shops in Hatton Garden, said: "I'm very worried that anarchists will try to latch on to anything, especially after what happened at the Ritz [during the demonstrations against government cuts]. I have been distributing the details around other shops and have asked people to contact the council to see if this can be stopped."

Jason Holts, the Jewish managing director of Holts in Hatton Garden, said: "You have to ask, of all the places they could protest, why are they choosing the jewellery district of Hatton Garden? They are targeting the wrong place. The embassies of Zimbabwe or Sierra Leone would be more appropriate."

A spokesman from the Israeli Embassy said: "Israel has worked with the international community in clamping down on the suffering caused by blood diamonds, which has led to a much improved situation, across Africa in particular.

"Hijacking this crucial issue shows that these few attention-seekers have less concern for human rights than they do for anti-Israel, politically-motivated stunts."

All Israeli diamonds are certified by the Kimberley Process, which guarantees them to be "conflict free" and do not finance rebel movements aimed at undermining legitimate governments.

A spokeswoman from the London Diamond Bourse said: "Israel is not a diamond-producing country, it only polishes KP imported goods. All governments, and the United Nations, are satisfied that Israel is a bona fide member of the Kimberley Process, and all goods imported and exported, to and from Israel, certify that they are in compliance with UN resolutions."

Football comment about 'Jew hill' is rapped

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:28:08 +0100

A sports channel has apologised after a football commentator referred to "Jews Hill - where you sit if you're too tight to pay".

Former Northern Ireland footballer Alan McDonald made the comments during the Crusaders vs Fulham game in Belfast, broadcast last week on Setanta Ireland, which had taken the feed and commentary from broadcaster Premier Sports.

John Mann, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group against Antisemitism, said he had complained to Ofcom about the incident.

"It is unbelievable in this day and age that such jaw-dropping ignorance was displayed," he said. "We will be seeking a meeting with Setanta and Premier Sports and have referred this to Ofcom."

Richard Sweeney, general manager of Premier Media, which owns Premier Sports, said that Mr McDonald had been working for the satellite service for the first time in a freelance capacity.

"The comment was totally unacceptable and deplorable and in no way representative of Premier Sports," he said. "We apologise for the regrettable comment and convey our sincerest regret for any offence caused."

BBC raps Jeremy Paxman on Hamas

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:27:17 +0100

The BBC has upheld a complaint that Jeremy Paxman failed to challenge adequately the Labour MP, Louise Ellman, after she accused Hamas of using children as suicide bombers.

Andy Bell, complaints director of the BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit, apologised for a "lapse in editorial standards" in the BBC2 airing of Newsnight on February 14.

During the programme, Mr Paxman interviewed Mrs Ellman, MP for Liverpool Riverside, and the children's writer, Michael Morpurgo, about Mr Morpurgo's documentary on the children of Israel and Gaza.

Mrs Ellman said: "The problem is Hamas, who use these children as human shields, who give the children explosives, or sometimes force them to have explosive belts, and send them to blow up Israeli civilians."

She later said: "How can they meet, and how can we be without a barrier, when Hamas are sending those very children with their explosive belts across to kill Israeli children and Israeli civilians? All of that has to stop, and nobody is entirely innocent."

Responding to the complaint, Mr Bell wrote: "I accept that the claim in question should have been challenged.

"The most recent instance we could identify of a suicide bombing by a child (in the sense of someone under the age of 18 ) in which Hamas was implicated was the bombing carried out by the 17 year-old Khamis Gerwan in 2003.

"It may well be that Mrs Ellman had in mind instances which dated back to 2003 or earlier, but she spoke in the present tense, and in terms which gave the impression that the use of child suicide-bombers by Hamas was a key consideration in the current situation."

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has hailed the decision. But Mrs Ellman declined to comment.

Polish man jailed for seven years for Stamford Hill pensioner death

Robyn Rosen — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:45:23 +0100

A Polish decorator has been jailed for seven years for manslaughter after he left an elderly Stamford Hill woman gagged and bound to a chair while he raided her home.

Eveline Kelmenson, 83, died a "slow death" of hypothermia and lay undiscovered for five weeks before she was found by relatives on New Year's Day 2009, her decomposed body still bound to a chair in her bedroom.

Her five-bedroom house had been "ransacked" after two burglars broke into the basement using tools, an Old Bailey jury heard last month.

Kuba Dlugosz, 33, was jailed today. He was sentenced to seven years for manslaughter, five years for robbery and four years for burglary, to be served concurrently. He cannot apply for bail until he has completed all seven years of his sentence.

His DNA was found on chisels left by the basement door. He has previously committed crimes in Poland, where he tied up two caretakers at schools in his hometown of Bialystok, and he was wanted on a European arrest warrant.

In October 2008, he broke into Sharon's Bakery in Stamford Hill, where he had worked as a decorator. Police identified him in that incident from DNA found on a segment of a plastic glove recovered at the scene.

His co-defendant, 26-year-old Szymon Wyrostek, is to be retried after the jury could not reach a verdict.

He denies manslaughter, burglary and robbery.