GILAD ATZMON is a writer and jazz musician. His first novel, A Guide to the Perplexed, is out now. It is a satirical novel about Gunther Wuntz who, like Gilad, is an Israeli Jew who comes to reject Israel. It is set in 2052, 40 years after the Israeli state has ceased to exist. Matthew Cookson spoke to Gilad.
"SOCIALIST WORKER reaches the parts the mainstream press doesn't. Its tireless support for workers in struggle, including firefighters, and its persistent exposure of the failings of capitalism makes it compulsive reading. I would recommend it to all those involved in the fight for justice, peace and socialism." Paul Embery, Branch Secretary Islington FBU
"A RISING tide of student activism. A burgeoning national anti-war movement that is gaining momentum by the day." That was a recent description of US protests against war on Iraq in the Washington Post.
"MAKE NO mistake - we are witnessing a double crisis of the Blair government, and a turning point both nationally and internationally. The firefighters' strike is shaping up to be Blair's equivalent of the miners' strike of 1984-5. This is the most important few months for socialists since the 1980s. Bush is readying his troops in the Middle East. Blair is preparing his strike-busting plans.
DEEP DISILLUSIONMENT with a Labour government. Firefighters stage a national strike as they spearhead wider opposition to low pay. A government that trade unionists got into office now sets about breaking a popular group of workers.
THE government recently struck a "deal" to allow "foundation hospitals" to go ahead. These plans caused a huge rift inside the Labour Party. On one side was health secretary Alan Milburn, backed by Tony Blair. On the other was chancellor Gordon Brown. What are the foundation hospitals?
THERE IS vast inequality in what people get paid. The press may criticise one or two particular fat cats, but it takes for granted the everyday inequality between managers and most workers. Why should such inequality exist?
BLACK history month, which is under way, is a chance to celebrate the achievements and history of black people. It is also an opportunity to discuss racism and the resistance to it. Such ideas are as relevant to white people as they are to black and Asian people.
ALL THE main political parties were rejected in three out of the four mayoral elections announced on Thursday of last week. Independent candidates won in Stoke, Mansfield and Bedford. The media reported that the Nazi BNP grabbed a significant vote in Stoke, but almost entirely missed the spectacular success for the Socialist Alliance in Hackney, east London.
SOCIALIST WORKER is at the forefront of building the anti-war movement. But the paper does much more than that. It reports on the strikes by firefighters, tube workers and teachers. And it shows how to give solidarity to those who are fighting against Blair's Tory policies. It brings the voices from the anti-capitalist movement around the world to socialists in this country. To do this we need money for leaflets, placards and for the paper itself. Why not try taking a SOCIALIST WORKER collection sheet round your workplace?
THERE ARE plenty of people in Indonesia who have good reason to hate Western governments and big business. Tragically, some of them may have directed their anger in awful fashion at ordinary holidaymakers. Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous state and stretches over hundreds of islands.
1. "THE THREAT comes from Iraq. It is a great danger to our nation." George Bush
