Elocutionist Priti Patel came on the political scene like a breath of fresh air. She is smart, extremely hard working and popular among her colleagues. So her recent naivety does not fit with her profile. Was she over confident in view of the disastrous election result, the own goal scored by PM May?
The “Fake News” media had field day, distorting her visit to Golan Heights, her concern for Syrian refugees who enter this disputed land where they are well looked after by Israeli army. Her offer of aid was humanitarian gesture, especially for the field hospital and refugee camps set up by the army to treat malnourished, tormented and brutalized refugees fleeing one of the most destructive civil wars in the region. Her gesture of aid was deliberately misinterpreted by certain press and especially Social Media, as if this humanitarian aid was meant for Israeli army to buy guns and weapons to oppress civilians.
Israel is civilized, free, democratic nation compared to neighbouring countries, with 15% Palestinian Arab population who live side by side in Israel with full rights, while all neighbouring Islamic States have ethnically cleansed their countries where Jews once lived and thrived. It is similar situation to Indo-subcontinent where in secular India; everyone enjoys equal rights but not so in Pakistan.
It seems sudden, unexpected rise of luminary Priti Patel, first female of Indian origin to hold such high office, has not gone down well with certain section of the population. Her advisers have badly failed her, in not protecting, advising and guiding her through the political minefield. Her penitent, sincere apology in her letter of resignation will serve her in good stead for the future.
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
By email
