The tube driver who led a ‘free Palestine’ chant on his train should be sacked. This is not a free speech issue, it’s a gross misconduct one.
Footage circulating on social media shows the driver of the packed Central line service appearing to use the train’s speaker system to chant “free, free” to which the passengers responded “Palestine”.
But the clip, taken yesterday as around 100,000 protesters took part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in London, has sparked outrage.
GB News presenter Mr Farage said: “It is not the job of a TfL driver to make political statements on a public announcement. This man should be fired Sadiq Khan.”
Quite so. It is not the role of train drivers to use their tannoy to indulge in political commentary. And the assumption he made here was that his passengers would agree with him. That so many are antisemitic and did agree with him is deeply worrying. Indeed, the outburst of antisemitism that has followed the brutal attack on Israeli citizens a couple of weeks ago really has shown us just how deep this ancient hatred stull runs.
As Julie Birchill says, now it is time to pick a side.
As Europe recommences its once-loved if barely-remembered danse macabre, we see that the muscle memory was there all along – how familiar the tinkle of broken glass from a synagogue on the streets of Berlin sounds. No one will be allowed to sit this one out. Sooner or later, we will all have to pick our side.
I have picked mine. Frankly, it was a simple matter, requiring nothing more than a functioning moral compass.
I stand with Israel.
Me too. Besides, Farage and Trump are always right.
Hang on a minute, I need to check which side the Guardian is on…
OK, I’m back. I guess I’m with Israel as well.
All these people tell us they are not antisemitic. Lenin had a name for people like them.
Useful idiots? Stupidity and ignorance combined I think.
On a personal note, I ditched a decade-long friend of the family, didn’t agree with him politically at all (Brexit, vaxx, Trump, Biden, Israel, conspiracies, far right, climate change etc etc) but 40 babies killed and beheaded being understandable because settlements in the west bank – that was the final draw. Fuck him.
I wonder why it’s referred to as Londonistan . . .
Why do people in Western countries feel the need to be involved? I agree that Hamas are the bad guys, everywhere but lefty opposite world that is, but I don’t feel the need to broadcast my opinion far and wide.
I realised that that sounded a bit like a dig at our host who has been covering the conflict on his blog and of course expressing an opinion on it. This is not intended, this blog by its nature covers some news and international affairs and no one is forced to visit, unlike the captive audience on a train.
If he’d said “fuck palestine” I would have no problem
His only utterance should have been “Mind the Gap” and other associated safety and underground / train information notices.
People do not buy tickets on the London Underground to receive propaganda.
Which is why it is gross misconduct.
He’s now been suspended, according to the ‘Mail’.
Meanwhile, the police in our capital are trying to wriggle out of acting in future cases: “The Met Police this week issued updated guidance around the chant due to the strength of feeling which it evokes, saying officers will not be treating it as unlawful unless it is specifically used to intimidate members of the Jewish community.”
I must try to come up with some hard to achieve circumstances to avoid doing my day job today…
How the hell is chanting in support of people who murder Jews not intimidating to Jews? How is it not hate speech when calling some guy him instead of them is?
We are seeing the flaws of ‘hate speech’ legislation being played out in real time. We are seeing their capriciousness, their ability to be used or not used according to what is being said and who is saying it, we can see that the police and the State are allowing one group to say appalling things whilst cracking down on members of other groups that say similar or lesser things.
Post it one Twitter and they’ll be at your door before your tea is cold though.