"I have been asked to speak on "The new anti-Semitism," I began. "I would like to make it clear that the new anti-Semitism is exactly and precisely identical in every respect… to the old anti-Semitism. When I walk down the street in London today and someone shouts "Gaza" or "Palestine" at me, they haven't stopped to ask me if I am an Israeli or a Zionist.

They just see a Jew and they assume that now, in 2008, I am personally responsible for all the suffering and difficulties of the Palestinian people."

My audience nodded sympathetically.

"In medieval Europe, I killed Jesus. In the 21st century I am responsible for all the suffering in the Middle East."