ISRAEL : A LAW UNTO ITSELF.

The reaction of the Israeli government to being censured by a vote at the United Nations demonstrates just how toothless and useless that organisation is.

For many years, the Israelis have been encroaching further and further into the so-called 'occupied territories' by building increasing numbers of settlements on what is, historically and legally, Palestinian land. Numerous attempts have been made to point out the error of their ways to the Israelis but the United States has always vetoed any such actions. Suddenly, the US decided to change its stance and, hence, a vote of censure at the UN was not blocked. The Israelis are not exactly happy about being told that they should desist from their blatantly illegal actions; it would be more accurate to say that they are apoplectic with rage.

Fanatical Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that Israel will 're-assess its ties with the United Nations', a clear indication that he has no intention of taking the slightest notice of the vote. In fact, the Israeli government never has taken the slightest notice of world opinion on any of its actions and is a de-facto 'law unto itself'. Of course, this leniency, or fear, on the part of the rest of the world goes back to the Second World War and the atrocities committed then by Germany; no one is allowed to forget this or be overtly critical of Israel for fear of being anti-Semitic and stirring up old memories and thoughts. What balderdash.

What the Israeli government does has no connection whatsoever with the Jewish religion and criticising them is not anything to do with anti-Semitism. In truth, the Israeli government is one of the most unpleasant in the world. They operate a policy of apartheid, treating their Palestinian citizens with disdain, disrespect and hatred; this has nothing to do with Judaism but is a straightforward political choice, justified by claims of self-protection which simply don't bear scrutiny.

To me, the whole notion of a state founded on a religious basis is ludicrous but the modern day actions of the Israeli government have nothing to do with any true religion, any more than is the case with the governments of numerous Muslim countries. Israel, as well as various Muslim countries and even a few Christian ones, behaves as if it has a, literally, God-given right to do whatever it likes. These countries are backward, primitive and inward-looking in their approach to the world, though access to modern technology can make them extremely dangerous. We all know about the terrorism being perpetrated by so-called Muslim extremists, but they don't have the atomic bomb. Israel does and their extremists are, therefore, every bit as dangerous, in fact, much more so. Netanyahu, as one of the more fanatical and extremist rulers of that country in recent times, terrifies me at least as much as the terrorists on our streets.

Now that the United nations has finally passed a vote critical of Israel it needs to follow it up. If they don't it could be catastrophic for the whole world.