British columnist and broadcaster Melanie Phillips has ignited a firestorm of controversy with her recent remarks at the ‘Rage Against the Hate’ conference held at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City. Organized by Shurat HaDin, an Israeli legal organization known for its efforts to counter international law violations by the Israeli government, the event aimed to unite Jewish and pro-Israeli activists globally. During her twenty-minute speech, Phillips made several contentious statements, including the assertion that ‘there is no such thing as the Palestinian people’ and that only Jewish people have a legitimate claim to historic Palestine. She argued that the Jewish people are the indigenous inhabitants of the land and possess an entitlement rooted in law, history, and morality. Phillips also criticized the West for what she described as a ‘death wish’ in the face of what she termed a ‘death cult’ within the forces of Islam. She accused the Palestinian cause of being a ‘holy war’ and a ‘Trojan Horse for the Islamisation of the West,’ suggesting that the West is complicit in its own destruction. Phillips’ speech drew sharp criticism, particularly for her historical comparisons and her previous writings on Islamophobia, which have been labeled as antisemitic by some Jewish organizations. Her remarks have reignited debates over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader implications of her views on international relations and religious tolerance.
British columnist Melanie Phillips lashes out at Palestinians at pro-Israel NYC event
