GeT RICH QUICK

When the Israelites escaped slavery and began their 40-year schlep across the hot Sinai sand, they probably didn’t rely on kosher for Pesach Evian to quench their thirst. Five thousand years on and the festival that commemorates their Egyptian exodus has mutated into a commercial blitzkrieg of Christmas proportions. Pesach water, toothpaste, shampoo, lipstick, deodorant, pet… Continue reading

Try telling John Kerry there’s only so many ways to skin a cat ­­– or make peace in the Middle East. The US Secretary of State – dubbed “the hardest working man in diplomacy” by the website politicususa – this week revealed his new plan to resuscitate the moribund talks about talks. His latest greatest… Continue reading

The grim reality of the slaughter business is enough to make anyone crave a veggie burger. We humans decided at the dawn of time that animals are put on earth to serve us – from food and transport to cosmetics and clothes. So the question has never been why we kill, but how. Any moral… Continue reading

The Book Thief is the latest in a new genre of films showing the conflict from a German point of view. Have we reached a watershed moment in our ability to recognise – even empathise – with victims on both sides? Hollywood has dreamed up some dastardly baddies over the years. But since the Second… Continue reading

Was the Home Secretary right to ban Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala from entering the UK this week? The answer hinges on whether you think the controversial Frenchman is a comedian or preacher of hate. The performer planned to visit London in support of footballer Nicolas Anelka, who faces a Football Association ban for performing Dieudonné’s reverse… Continue reading

Think Winter Olympics and ski jumper Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, soaring feet off the ground, (on his way to 55th place out of 56 – the 56th placed jumper was disqualified) springs poetically to mind. Beyond the undeniable grace of Torvill and Dean, the ironic eagle gave Britain its defining moment at an event that… Continue reading

Last week a Conservative Party investigation found MP Aidan Burley had “caused deep offence” by organising a Nazi-themed stag party and buying an SS uniform for the groom.  Members of the group reportedly chanted: “Mein Fuhrer”, “Himmler” and “Eichmann” and toasted the Third Reich. Mr Burley, who was forced to resign as a ministerial aide,… Continue reading

On Sky News, discussing the channel’s exclusive interview with controversial French performer Dieudonne, in the wake of Nicolas Anelka’s ‘quenelle’ gesture and subsequent FA charge. Broadcast: 24/1/14 “The interview was more notable for what Dieudonne didn’t say than what he did. This was a perfect platform for him to put across his views. If he isn’t an… Continue reading

Interview with cable and web news network JN1 on how Britain views Ariel Sharon’s legacy. Broadcast 16/1/14 “Sharon fought in 1948 when Israel became a state and earned its independence and again in 1967 during the Six-Day War and 1973 during the Yom Kippur War. His desire to put Israel’s security first was not popular among some sections of… Continue reading

Discussing (in Spanish!) the life and legacy of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who died on Saturday 11 January – eight years after a stroke left him in a coma from which he never awoke. He was 85. Broadcast on Latin American news network NTN24… Continue reading