Wednesday 8 August 2012

the Filth gets it wrong on Israel - again

what follows has been published in the Guardian's Corrections and Clarifications column, dated 7th August:

A correction to a picture caption said we should not have described Jerusalem as the Israeli capital. It went on to relay the advice in our style guide that the capital was Tel Aviv. In 1980 the Israeli Knesset enacted a law designating the city of Jerusalem, including East Jerusalem, as the country's capital. In response, the UN security council issued resolution 478, censuring the "change in character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem" and calling on all member states with diplomatic missions in the city to withdraw. The UN has reaffirmed this position on several occasions, and almost every country now has its embassy in Tel Aviv. While it was therefore right to issue a correction to make clear Israel's designation of Jerusalem as its capital is not recognised by the international community, we accept that it is wrong to state that Tel Aviv – the country's financial and diplomatic centre – is the capital. The style guide has been amended accordingly

Well, quite. But look here - the UN certainly did issue that resolution, but the UN is not "the international community", which is a nebulous and ill-defined concept.  The UN is the UN.  And - sigh, again - any sovereign nation, and Israel is that, damn it to hell for its pesky equal rights for men and women, gay pride, and, er, democracy - decides for itself what its capital city is.  No other nation has the right to "recognise" that decision, or not.  I could decide that I don't recognise Paris as the capital of France, but that decision is not mine to make.  Paris is the capital as long as the government of France says it is.

Oh, and while we're in the region, you did know that the blockade of Gaza (remember, "giant prison camp", all that), in connection with which some soldiers have just been killed, is carried out by, er, Egypt?  You did know that, didn't you?  Anyone? *sound of tumbleweed*

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yawn. If it bothers you so much, stop reading it. Hein?

Anonymous said...

There's something very wrong with you. You get all worked up when someone says antlything against Isreal; killing of soldiers etc etc. how about the Palestinians? Don't the get shot and killed? I understand now why the Labour party kicked you out! GET A LIFE!

Anonymous said...

Yes but Jane, aren't the Guardian actually agreeing with you here, undertaking to correct their style guide which says Tel Aviv is the capital?

janestheone said...

Hey boys, welcome back! Anon 0018, hope you had a nice evening. I don't read the Guardian, of course. Anon 0837 yes, which is a precious moment, which is precisely why I highlighted it. Anon 0103, I hope you had an even nicer evening. What is this "something" which is "wrong" with me, pray tell? In fact it was Egyptian soldiers who were killed in the incident I mentioned. By Hamas. But let's not let the facts get in the way, hein? The Labour Party has never "kicked me out", please note, I was a member until 2007, when I moved to France and joined the Parti Socialiste. Your problem is?

Anonymous said...

So, re Anon 8.37, why the "again" in your heading? I dont understand; surely they have, this time got it right; not got it wrong again?

janestheone said...

they have acknowledged they got it wrong, excellent