London was always one of my favorite cities in the world.
I have for a long time been of the opinion that Israel shouldn't bother to try to win over Europe because the Europeans have multiple reasons for always being anti-Israel and none of them have anything to do with anything that Israel does. As I discuss in my book, these reasons include anti-Semitism, anti-Americanism, addiction to Arab oil, and growing Muslim populations in Europe.
I was prepared to conduct a civilized debate based on facts and reasoned argumentation. I expected it to be a difficult experience. I was not expecting to be greeted by a well-dressed mob. My pessimism about Europeans' capacity to avail themselves to reasoned, fact-based argumentation about Israel has only deepened from the experience.
Israel has civil rights for women, gays and Arabs. People have religious freedom. Israel is a democracy. Israel has tremendous innovation in many fields and has made immense contributions to society.
Of what surrounding nations can the above be said?
The type of behavior we are seeing in London and other cities in Europe mystifies me. I search for an explanation beyond anti-Semitism... and nothing else seems to fit.
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