Obviously Tony Blair hasn't gone that far. But after the BBC apologised for referring to Jerusalem as Israel's capital, foreign ministry spokesman Mark Regev said:
"Jerusalem is Israel's capital. It is the right of every sovereign state to determine which city will be its capital. If this is not accepted by everyone today, I am confident it will be in the future."
In other news, the US and Israel are talking up the possibility of Tony Blair becoming the Quartet's envoy to the Middle East. This would be from minds that will next cook up Salman Rushdie as the man to negotiate with Iran.
So are you standing for Glasgow Central then Osama?
Posted by: Andy | 22 June 2007 at 04:29 PM
Why didn't I think of this (or even the British massmedia)?
Anyway, back to Rushdie. I am afraid I believe that if people wish to insult religion, they should be allowed to. Freedom of speech is vitally important. Those Muslims shouting against him have every right to be offended, and every right to express their view, but must acknowledge Rushdie's right to express his. If the Muslims are right, Rushdie will get his come-uppance eternally, which should be enough vengeance for anybody. You can't make eternity last longer by killing someone quicker.
http://www.craigmurray.co.uk/archives/2007/06/sir_salman_rush.html#comments>"Sir" Salman Rushdie
Craig Murray
20 June 2007
The late great Edward Said had much and many good things to say about Salman's work, and this kind of 'magical' or 'fantasy' fiction (I think is how he referred to it ?).
Posted by: joe90 | 22 June 2007 at 08:39 PM