Letters / ‘I would have expected better from Tom’
At the risk of being unduly jolly and cheerful, I have no intention of responding to the personal derision, jibes and insults levelled at Alex and myself, other than to say, I would have expected better from Tom. An ad hominem approach highlights a serious weakness in any argument. However, be that as it may.
Let me say at the start that it now appears that anyone making the slightest criticism of the Zionist apartheid state of Israel is deemed antisemitic – this of course is absolute nonsense. To be anti-Zionist is not to be anti-Jewish or anti-Judaism. Jewry and Judaism do not equate to the Israeli state apparatus.
The allegations of rape, beheadings and torture, have no basis in truth, with absolutely no proof having been offered to substantiate the claims, apart from the word of an Israeli soldier, speaking to an unquestioning Israeli reporter.
Had there been any truth in such atrocities, proof would certainly have been presented. The Israeli government’s own report on the 7 October states that only one child died that day – sadly, one child too many.
So, what of other tragedies prevailing in the world, Tom asks. Surely our councillors have more pertinent issues to tackle, declares our convener.
I personally demonstrated against the war in Vietnam and called for the troops to be pulled out of Ireland. I supported the ANC struggle against the white domination in South Africa and actively campaigned against the Pinochet regime in Chile.
Along the way I supported the Gay movement, Women’s liberation and other socially progressive movements. I noticed though, that in Tom’s diatribe, the tragedy that has been unravelling in Iraq for the last 20 years, went unmentioned. I can only guess why.
So, there we have it. I give more credit to our councillors than others do, when I say they are quite capable of dealing with issues other than broken pavements and a lack of parking spaces.
At the moment councillors are about to spend the next few weeks concentrating on where the axe is going to fall in providing our services. This will include a cut in our care for the elderly and a continued reduction in spending on our youth services and other crucial areas. Not forgetting of course where our roads are not going to be upgraded.
As well as supporting the people of Gaza, I feel more than justified in opposing this forthcoming austerity budget, but I am under no illusion that my voice will be heeded. However, my conscience will be clear.
Cllr Ian Scott
Member for Shetland Central
Scalloway
