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September 17, 2005

Galloway and Livingstone statements

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Are George Galloway and Ken Livingstone, two anti—Israel left wing politicians in the UK, suggesting that the wrong people were targeted? Are they recommending that the G8 leaders, or perhaps wealthy Jews, should have been selected instead?

Here are excerpts from their public statements, with emphasis added selectively:

Galloway:

Statement on the London bombings by George Galloway on behalf of Respect
07/07/2005
 
We extend our condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives today and our heartfelt sympathy to all those who have been injured by the bombs in London.

No one can condone acts of violence aimed at working people going about their daily lives. They have not been a party to, nor are they responsible for, the decisions of their government. They are entirely innocent and we condemn those who have killed or injured them.

The loss of innocent lives, whether in this country or Iraq, is precisely the result of a world that has become a less safe and peaceful place in recent years.

We have worked without rest to remove the causes of such violence from our world. We argued, as did the security services in this country, that the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq would increase the threat of terrorist attack in Britain. Tragically Londoners have now paid the price of the government ignoring such warnings.

We urge the government to remove people in this country from harms way, as the Spanish government acted to remove its people from harm, by ending the occupation of Iraq and by turning its full attention to the development of a real solution to the wider conflicts in the Middle East.

Only then will the innocents here and abroad be able to enjoy a life free of the threat of needless violence.

George Galloway, Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow

Livingstone:

"I want to say one thing, specifically to the world today — this was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful."
"It was not aimed at presidents or prime ministers," the former Trotskyist said. "It was aimed at ordinary, working—class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christian ... young and old ... that isn't an ideology, it isn't even a perverted fate, it is an indiscriminate attempt at mass murder."

Ed Lasky   7 7 05

Richard Baehr adds:

These statements are somewhat like Michael Moore after 9/11 saying attackers hit the wrong targets — that New York and DC are blue areas, with many Democrats.