politics
-
Have you noticed? The assault on democratic space
Not as part of a grand conspiratorial plan, notwithstanding what some might wish, but incrementally, step by separate step, the architecture of a repressive, authoritarian state is slowly being erected before our eyes. A multi-dimensional pincer movement comprising laws, processes, procedures, and rights-denying rhetoric, thematically laced together by the extraordinary growth in the concentration of Continue reading
-
When a peace plan leads to no peace at all
On the 17 November 2025, the Security Council passed – thirteen in favour, zero dissenting, with China and Russia abstaining – Resolution 2803 endorsing Trump’s twenty-point plan for Gaza. The Security Council-endorsed plan is notable for the comprehensive way it marginalises potential Palestinian agency in contrast to Israel being treated as pretty well near an Continue reading
-
Self-induced antisemitism
The words and deeds of the self-proclaimed Jewish state -Israel – are prime progenitors of antisemitism. International civil society, as distinct from so many governments, look on in horror, and perhaps in disbelief, as the Israeli state – via the words and deeds of its leaders, its officials, its military, its deranged, Old Testament-wielding, Settler Continue reading
-
Football anyone? Travels in irony
It’s an odd sight, PM Starmer falling over himself to seek additional resources to enable Birmingham police to cope with the ‘high risk’ possibility that were Maccabi football fans allowed to attend their November Europa League game against Aston Villa, violent disorder emanating from the Maccabi fans was a realistic possibility. The ‘high risk’ designation Continue reading
-
They know what they do
I’ve said it myself: ‘there is one person who can stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and the West Bank too, simply by picking up the phone to Netanyahu.’ That is President Trump. But that statement is not entirely correct, for there is another potential force that were it to be so minded has the capacity Continue reading
-
No hindrance placed in their way
Victory is near. So at least must the West Bank Israeli-Jewish settlers’ assess as they consume by fire, bullet and bulldozer Palestinian land, livelihoods – and lives. No hindrance placed in their way. In Gaza, too, the death knell sounds as Israel busies itself with the dirty – but it must be done! – business Continue reading
-
Two-states: solution or chimera?
This seems to me to be axiomatic: It is not possible to construct a viable, and just – note ‘and just’ – independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. The so-called ‘two-state solution’ is no solution at all. I have rehearsed the arguments supporting the propositions above, here and here and here and here, and therefore will Continue reading
-
The curtailment of truth-telling: Palestine Action and the assault on freedom
Evil-doers abhor truth. Therefore it must be smothered, distorted, silenced, concealed. That is what thematically connects the British Government’s intention to proscribe Palestinian Action with the Israeli government’s decision to close access to Israeli state archives. The Israeli state archives are the source material upon which Israel’s ‘new historians’ – for example Avi Shlaim and Continue reading
-
The Board of Deputies of British Jews: Time’s up?
Mainstream, establishment Jewish opinion on Israel and Palestine, as promulgated and vigorously promoted by the Board of Deputies of British Jews (BoD), is facing a challenge. A challenge from within the depth of the body itself. In a statement to the Financial Times (16 April), thirty-six – out of over 300 – Deputies signed a Continue reading
-
Is Israel in descent?
Is it too far out of left field to suggest that Israel is crumbling? That the manifestations of its seeming military prowess’ now yet again being visited on Gaza, but also in the West Bank, are actually the gasps of a wounded and failing entity? When a country goes to war, it’s generally expected that Continue reading
About Me
This is Bernard Spiegal’s blog.
I write mainly about Palestine/Israel and related issues; sometimes other stuff too
Bernard Spiegal 