Was on YouTube.com the other night and watched some very impressive George Galloway debates/lectures/interviews.

Theres a fairly recent one where he addresses the Westminster Parliament, I think it was at the end of January 2007. I would recommend it to anyone to watch it if they can!

Hi Simba,

as far as I'm concerned we and the western world carry an unnecessary guilt burden for the holocaust. We were not part of that and ended it's horrendous effects by defeating Germany. Understandably, the Jews vowed never again to be a patsy for anyone and developed a zero tolerance approach to aggressors which is fair enough. However, when they commit atrocities or breach human rights etc no one is prepared to criticise or take action for what i see as fear of anti-semitism coupled with fear of losing the important Jewish votes both here and in the US. If a Muslim or communist state were to act as Israel do you can be sure we would be vocal in condemning them and take action.

I believe that we as a nation should be consistent and apply the same standards across the world. We step in on a regular basis (Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq) but sit on our hands and keep quiet in relation to Israel. Silence is then easily interpreted by our critics as at best tacit support of Israel and we become targets. We should adopt a strong line against all oppression and use the UN as a means of stamping down on any country who acts unlawfully against another or who oppress their own citizens. We don't do that with Israel.

Returning to my point about labelling terrorists you may have misinterpreted my position. When someone carries out an act of terrorism and claims to be doing it to further a cause we are entitled to label them accordingly, regardless of whether they are really following the principles of the cause they promote. If a terrorist claims to be Muslim, appears to practise (albeit improperly) that faith and attacks a target identified by them in writing or video (as is common) as an enemy of Islam, then we can properly label them as a Muslim terrorist. This is different from labelling a terrorist as a Muslim simply because they are a Muslim. When was the last time you saw a terrorist who did not publish their motives, their cause  and therefore their ethos. to call such a person a Muslim terrorist is absolutely proper and we should avoid the fear of racism. This mirrors my point above about fear of criticising Israel. It's a bit like Ali G's catchphrase "Is it cos I is black?"

I call someone a Muslim terrorist such because that is what they set themselves up as. If I sack an blck employee for incompetence it is because they were incompetent, not because they are black. If I criticise Isarel, it is not because I am anti-semitic, it is because many of their actions are unlawful. I for one will not be afraid of the PC brigade or those who will try to deflect the truth by claiming racism, religious bias or anti-semitism.

However, unless you are consistent then you set yourself up as a target for such criticism. That is the key for the west- apply the same criteria to all nations and no one can say you are picking on any particular group.