THE NEWS DESK OF MICHAEL WALSH - 8th AUGUST 2000-08-08

Oh Vey!

English Prime Minister (Scots and Welsh now have their own Parliament) Tony Blair and wife Cherie must have choked on their bacon sandwiches last week. They will now be aware of the furore in Israel caused by the teachings of one Sephardic Rabbi calling himself Ovadia Yosef.

The venerable rabbi claims the six million (alleged) victims of the so-called holocaust had to die to atone for their sinful lives in previous worldly existences. He also claims that all Arabs are snakes and the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak is brainless. (Hhhhmmmm!) He also maintains that wig-wearing ladies will burn in hell.

Last November the distinguished rabbi Ovadia Yosef received a personal invitation to present himself at No.10 Downing Street. There, he bestowed a blessing on the then-pregnant Cherie Blair. One can only wonder if she was wearing her wig and whether he gave her exemption? Well, you are known by the company you keep as the saying goes.