David Steele, sorry, Lord Steele, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats, made a speech. As the (many decades ago) leader of the anti-apartheid campaign, he knows precisely what the term means. And in his speech he drew the parallel with Israel as an apartheid state. And listed the atrocities, the ‘massacre of civilians’, the ‘second class’ system with ‘the wall, all the populist, Labourite garbage (approved by the Ku Klux Klan’s ex-imperial grand wizard, just to show how far Corbyn has taken the so-called ‘Labour Party’), and spoke many of the words spouted by ex-Lib Dem peer, Jenny Tonge, who was subsequently suspended herself for anti-semitism. Obviously a great source of wisdom and impartial news.

And tomorrow, David Steele is going to my best mate’s for lunch. He lives in France, as does David Steele, most of the time. But whereas his Lordship’s other time is spent here, my mate’s is spent in Israel. Where his son lives, and his two grandchildren. And my mate loves Israel.

Which doesn’t mean he approves of every action taken by Binyamin Netenyahu and his government, doesn’t mean he’s happy with every political decision made there. Because, like me, he’s liberal in his views. But when the debate comes back to ‘Israel’s right to exist’, which is an argument never levelled at any other nation, or to pulling down the wall (which reduced terrorist attacks by 90%, but can’t stop the regular and almost constant bombing of schools and farms, though presumably those are not manned by ‘innocent civilians’ because they only exist in Gaza), it gets a little uncomfortable.

And my mate worked with David Steele back in the day. When the Liberal Democrats were formed. Remained friendly ever since. And see each other once/twice a year.

So the dilemma is: do you headbutt Lord Steele or kick him in the bollocks?

Happy Saturday

A xxxx