Prime Minister Gordon Brown, wearing a traditional Jewish yarmulke, lays a wreath at the Holocaust memorial Photo: AP
Gordon Brown's choice of the Knesset today as the place to make a strong statement on Iran was not the only misjudgment on his trip to Israel. It could not help but give the impression that the prime minister supports the belligerent statements from senior Israelis about the need to strike Iran militarily to block its access to nuclear weapons. At a time when talks are underway with the Iranians and with sanctions still in play, the last thing needed from responsible western leaders is any hint that force is permissible.
A pity, then, that Brown did not speak equally firmly about justice and occupation when he addressed the Knesset. It is not Palestinian politicians but Israeli decision-makers who need to hear tough words. In spite of emphasising the goal of Palestinian economic development, there was nothing in his Knesset speech about the hundreds of roadblocks, including 86 new ones since last year's Annapolis peace promises. When the prime minister talked politely about "needing your help in lifting economic obstacles", the only desirable step he mentioned was the re-opening of the Chamber of Commerce in East Jerusalem. This was banality to the point of ridicule.
Read further article by Jonathan Steele at guardian.co.uk, Monday July 21, 2008.
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