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We want to make reparation to the Palestinian people for the crimes of Balfour which were committed in the building behind me, when one person, on behalf of one country, promised a second people the lands of a third people - the Palestinians. We are determined that we should stop the privatization of basic services of the British people. We are determined to defend the liberty of the British people which is being taken away day by day under the name of anti-terrorism. Ancient freedoms, which we had for hundreds of years, are being taken away from us under the name of the war on terror, when the real big terrorists are the governments of Britain and the United States. They are the real rogue states breaking international law, invading other people's countries, killing their children in the name of anti-terrorism, when in fact, all they're achieving is to make more terrorists in the world, not less, to make the world more dangerous, rather than less. These are our priorities.

George Galloway#12

HistoryTerrorismAccountabilityBritainCivil libertiesCivil rightsPolicy

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker criticizes historical British actions in Palestine and argues that modern anti-terrorism measures are eroding civil liberties while governments themselves act as rogue states.
In plain terms
Governments are taking away freedoms and causing more terrorism instead of stopping it.
What can you take from it?
Protect civil liberties and question government narratives on security.

Where it applies

  • policy debates
  • historical analysis
  • security vs liberty discussions

Putting it to work

  • review security laws
  • research historical treaties
  • advocate for civil rights

Questions to consider

  • How do security measures impact long term freedom?
  • Who defines a rogue state?

Another view

The quote blends historical grievance with contemporary policy criticism which may oversimplify complex geopolitical issues.

More from George Galloway

  1. I can't mention, I'm sorry to say, any Arab leader... Where is the... Nasser? Where is the Arab leader who will stand up and tell these people the truth? This …

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  2. 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. Tra…

    Permalink to quote #13
  3. Bush, and Blair, and the prime minister of Japan, and Berlusconi, these people are criminals, and they are responsible for mass murder in the world, for the wa…

    Permalink to quote #10

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