Air Raid Sirens

Dispatch

AIR RAID SIRENS

6 April 2025



Introduction

Written just over twelve years ago, my own assessment is that it is wide of the mark in 2025.

The present Israel-Gaza War and the Israel-Lebanon War both as a result of the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 is a nightmare scenario.

And with Putin very firmly resolved to continue the War in Ukraine, and America’s we can bring peace within twenty-four hours being exposed for the sham that it is, Europe and the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of nations must stand firm, rearm, and never ever trust America again. Ever.

The banner image depicts Kyiv, the Capital of Ukraine in the moments after the air raid sirens sounded in 2022 when Russia mounted a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Dispatch

(17 November 2012)

I

IT IS SOBERING to see another breakdown in communication between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Public opinion once again lies against Israel when I sample various newspapers here, in the United Kingdom.

I cannot think of any other country that would tolerate missile and rocket attacks on its cities by another country, whether an armed force or, as in this case, a recognised terrorist group, HAMAS.

It is strange that the world condemns Israel for taking out the HAMAS leader but turns a blind eye to the rockets now fired at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

II

I know these cities well. I know the people well too - Jew and Arab - I have friends there and as my dispatches have reported elsewhere, despite the media reports, there is understanding between the Jews and Arabs in those cities.

It reminds me of 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland 40 years ago. The Media gave us all the impression that every street, town and city in Northern Ireland was pitted against British troops and each other. When I visited Belfast after the Peace Accords, the taxi driver from the airport took me to the main flashpoints. All of it was contained in a quite small area.

It takes time for History to even out the frisbee-spin applied to every event, and it is not swift. It takes generations, even centuries.

III

What would Britain do if we suffered even one rocket attack on, say, London? We know from London 2012 how prepared we were to deal with that.

After 9/11, the BBC carried a peak time news report on how the Royal Air Force dealt with incoming aircraft that failed to identify themselves. It mattered not the size or type of aircraft.

All aircraft had 13 minutes maximum in which to identify themselves, by which time the RAF would have scrambled. Many a civil pilot (professional or private) has suddenly found himself or herself flying wingtip to a lethal fast jet and the familiar international signal of the fast jet pilot's finger pointing downward - "Fly down with me please NOW!"

IV

And on the fourteenth minute?

It is chilling to recall the operations wing commander's comment to the news reporter as to what would happen if no reply was received by the thirteenth minute.

"There are two phones. Either one will connect us to one of two people who can give us the order. Either one will give the order. The one does not need to refer to the other. In national emergency, there is no need to refer."

V

That order was clear, unequivocal and explicit. The unidentified aircraft would be shot down even if an inbound airliner. No thought was given to passenger complement. No chances were to be taken.

And yet in Israel, we tick them off for firing missiles in defence at the incoming missiles and successfully exploding most of them in flight before they hit either city. Defence is seen as provocative.

VI

We live in a strange world of double standards. This is dangerous and deeply worrying. Especially when the target cities are as familiar to me as Liverpool, Manchester, Gloucester and London.

First Written on 17 November 2012


6 April 2025