It’s the season for retrospectives of the year about to end, so here goes:
Person of the Year: Ronnie Fraser for enduring hours of hostile cross-examination in order to establish that his trade union UCU is institutionally antisemitic (the verdict of the industrial tribunal is not expected until April). All who deplore racism – and that is the vast majority of humanity – owe Ronnie an enormous debt of gratitude.
Human Rights Award: The IDF for achieving - in Operation Pillar of Defence - a ratio of civilian:combatant casualties of around 1:1, unprecedentedly low in the history of asymmetric warfare
Inhuman Rights Award: Jacques Rogge for failing to agree a memorial in the Olympics Stadium for the Israeli Athletes murdered 40 years ago in Munich
Most Enjoyable Cultural Performances of the Year: Habima’s ‘Merchant of Venice’ and the Batsheva ballet – both were unforgettable – please come back soon!
Gift Horse Awards (“Never look a gift horse in the mouth”): Lord Andrew Phillips (‘huge admirer of the Jewish people’ who thinks Jews are ‘on the suicide path’) and Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles (‘deep affection for the Jewish people’ who are committing ‘assisted suicide’).
Most Confused Chairman Award: Len Wardle of the Co-Op who denied all knowledge of the ICJ’s 2004 Judgment, despite its inclusion in the Co-Op’s written justification for its partial boycott!
Foot in Door Award to a Journalist: Asa Winstanley of Electronic Intifada, for demanding that Richard Millett tell him who funds his blog
Most Hypocritical Politician Award: Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton, for encouraging picketing of the EcoStream shop in Brighton despite its ‘green’ qualities
David Icke Award for Looniest Zionist Conspiracy Allegation: Press TV for suggesting that the UK Olympics was “under the influence of“ Zionism
ASHamed Jew Award (as in “The Finkler Question”) : Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC
Misguided Funding Award: Pears Foundation for funding Crisis Action which is lobbying the EU for a boycott of goods produced in Judea and Samaria.
Obnoxious Statement Award: Tim Llewellyn who described the founding of Israel thus: “the imposition and implanting of an alien people”
Wilful Misrepresentation Award: The BDS crew for failing to acknowledge that in awarding contracts, the only thing UK local authorities can legally consider is value for the taxpayer.
Here's to a 2013 free of antisemitic vilification of Israel ....