A protest is being organised outside Isleworth Crown Court this Friday in support of the young men who took part in the protests against the Israeli assault on Gaza during Operation Cast Lead just over a year ago.

The Stop the War Coalition, the British Muslim Initiative and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign are organising this protest. This is partly because on the last two Fridays the court has passed extremely harsh custodial sentences against the young men who took part in the protests and in most cases the sentences passed have been completely out of proportion to the alleged offence of violent disorder. Last Friday one young man of 19 was sentenced to a year in jail for simply throwing a bottle in the direction of the Israeli Embassy gate. It missed and hit a police shield but no one was hurt and now this newlywed who had aspirations of becoming a dentist has now been sent to jail. The judge conceded that he was of an excellent character and had excellent character references and bright prospects for the future but said he wanted to send a deterrent message to the rest of the community. Many feel that this message is one targeting the Muslim community and basically warning Muslims not to take part in protests in the future against Israel or anyone else.

Open Letter to the Secretary of State for Justice and the Lord Chancellor, the Rt. Hon. Jack Straw, MP
Dear Mr. Straw,

According to the Jewish Chronicle you are meeting today with representatives of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council and, separately, Labour Friends of Israel. There is one item on the agenda: the proposal to change the law on universal jurisdiction so that Israelis - even those for whom there is strong prima facie evidence of their involvement in war crimes - will be free to travel to Britain without fear of arrest.

As our Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, your prime consideration has to be the best interests of Britain and British citizens before all else, and there is no doubt that your professional and political status will make you want to protect the independence of Britain's judiciary. Interference from groups lobbying on behalf of an alien state for changes to our laws that will give concessions to politicians from that state is surely unacceptable. This takes on even greater importance when we consider the serious nature of the allegations in this case, involving war crimes and crimes against humanity. Not only the UN's Goldstone Report but also other reports from reputable bodies have revealed the credible evidence that such serious crimes were committed during Israel's invasion of Gaza last year. Changing the law to favour those accused of committing such crimes will send a signal to the world community that Britain is now inherently weak on upholding international laws and conventions that have served us well for the past six decades and more.

MEMO's Exchange with the BBC
Following the open letter of complaint to the BBC re Newsnight's biased report on Gaza, MEMO has now received a response from the BBC Complaints Department. Below is an update of the correspondence between MEMO and the BBC in chronological order.

Friday, 05th February 2010

Dear Ms Wilson,

Many thanks for replying to my letter regarding the 'Newsnight' broadcast of 19th January 2010. I have noted with distinct caution your clarification.

Granted, the Newsnight piece 'was not intended as a comprehensive report', but this should not exempt the BBC from observing established ethical and professional standards of impartiality. Clearly the perception created by Mr Collins was one of unabashed bias.

In pursuit of a more balanced approach, the Middle East Monitor (MEMO) last week carried out an exclusive interview with Colonel Desmond Travers, a member of the UN Commission of Inquiry led by Judge Richard Goldstone. On the specific claims raised by Collins that mosques were used to store weapons Travers pointed out,