Mayors and Maires

What is the most striking difference between the UK and France these days, at least on the level of Middle Eastern policies? Consider the following two reflections on national/local policies and politics.

Mayor Ken Livingstone of London looks likely to be re-elected to office yet again, with the support of the UK labour government, in spite of - or perhaps because of - being accused of anti-Semitism on more than one occasion (he told two Iraqi Jewish businessmen to "go back to Iran and try their luck with the ayatollah" and proffered a Nazi insult to a Jewish reporter). He has been officially cleared of anti-Semitism, but even he would not apologize for his virulent anti-Israel stance. (Of course, according to the European Union’s
Draft Definition of Anti-Semitism, this is indeed equivalent to being anti-Semitic.)

What would have happened in France? We do not need to speculate. As reported in the French Press (Le Parisien, Figaro, etc) of today (24 March 2008) and national TV media, the Sub Prefect (Sous Prefet -something like a Deputy Mayor) Bruno Guigue of Saintes (Charente-Maritime) has been dismissed from office by the French Minister of the Interior, Michèle Alliot-Marie. His offence? He “criticized, without subtlety, the US and Israel” in an internet publication destined for French-speaking Muslims, a diatribe characterized as being “violently anti-Israeli”.

What about Freedom of Speech ? The concept of Freedom of Speech does not extend to the Nazi-like filth that is currently evidenced all over the Arab world and, unhappily, extending in more nuanced form to the British media. Voltaire’s dictum that “I disapprove of your views, but would fight to the death for your right to express them“ must be contextualized by Judge Oliver Wendell Holmes’ injunction “not to falsely cry fire in a crowded theatre”. We are all living in a crowded theatre of global conflict , and inflammatory views such as that of Bruno Guigue, must be firmly stamped upon.

The UK – please note.