EDL: DOWN THE RABBI HOLE

Rabbi, surfer, Tea Party activist, aficionado of aviator sunglasses. Senatorial candidate for California, supporter of fascistic English street armies: Nachum Shiffren is a deeply confusing (or maybe confused) man.

On Monday (25th), the rabid rabbi teamed up with far-right goons the EDL to march through London to show their opposition to “Islamic extremism” and solidarity with the state of Israel. Over 200 EDLers showed up to join Shiffren in a stroll past the Israeli embassy. They were met by a mixed bag of up to 100 counter-protesters.

In a rambling speech, the Shiff attacked Muslims – whom he described as “dogs” - politicians, lefties, Jews who didn’t buy into his message of hate...in fact just about everyone except fascists and racists. At one point he broke into a fist-shaking explosion of Hebrew after telling the baffled leaguers, “You won’t understand what I’m about to say but you will feel my meaning.” At least the good rabbi understands the level of debate the EDL operate on...

The smattering of useful idiots that make up the EDL Jewish Division were also on hand to defend the EDL. However, leader Roberta Moore’s speech came to an abrupt end when a cheeky anti-fascist shorted their PA with water. Enraged EDLers chased the mystery person down the street but he/she managed to evade capture.

The unlikely coalition of the rabbi and the racists was condemned by Jewish groups across the country. Amongst the counter-demo were a number of “Jews Against the EDL” protesters, including radical Jewish group Jewdas, Jews for Justice for Palestinians and Jewish orthodox anti-zionists. The Board of Deputies of British Jews denounced Shiffren’s relationship with the EDL as an attempt by the group to play minorities off against each other.

* Thursday last week (21st), charges levelled at an anti-fascist protester were dropped just 24 hours before he was scheduled to stand trial. Alan Clough was preparing to defend himself against charges of threatening behaviour following last March’s EDL demo in Bolton (see SchNEWS 715), which saw over 60 arrests – almost all of them UAF or counter-protesters. The last minute U-turn came after footage previously hidden away on youtube and in the deep dark vaults of Granada TV which clearly showed a copper punching Clough in the face moments before the 63-year-old was arrested. After witnessing the assault on an innocent man deserving of his free bus pass, a disappointed CPS spokesman said: “Having viewed footage received from the defence team, we felt that there was no longer a realistic prospect of securing a conviction.” Shame.