As a South African, growing up through the 1960's and 1970's, I am surprised to hear that Israel was the darling of any part of society. I will concede that when they made their sole appearance at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, I don't recall any protests. They also qualified as members of the Asian Football Association whereas, today, they have become members of Europe, as too many countries were threatening not to play against them.
My point being that I can vividly recall Israel struggling to find political friends and therefore, quietly, but quite definitely, befriended Apartheid South Africa. South Africa was in much the same position and befriended whoever would 'talk to them'. Israel, Taiwan and Paraguay come to mind, which I would expect were all 'unofficially' helping each other wherever they could. When Israel was at war, older members of my family went to fight with Israel. When I did my compulsory military service in the South African army in 1975, the officers spoke very highly of the Israeli military and wanted to know whether we South African conscripts were really Jewish, as our performances were not of the standard required(heh, heh).
The late professor Eugene Narrett used to call our era, World War III. But every time I read one of your fascinating articles I wonder if WWIII is not just another phase, a continuation by other means, of the eugenicist project that was WWII.
Yes, democracy and, as many of us unwashed masses -- and even worse, those masses that do wash, thereby wasting so much of that clean water and other resources that the bosses want all to themselves --- as they can eliminate.
Reminds me of the Queen of England's consort's fondest wish. It wasn't for the good of his children, or country, it was to return in his next reincarnation as a deadly virus, to kill off as many people as possible, without all those nasty consequences that eventually catch up to mass murdering humans, I suppose. He dared to say the part that the bosses generally keep quiet, out loud.
And just in case the article disappears, here's the relevant text:
Apr 9, 2021, 8:47 AM PT
People are re-sharing an old Prince Philip quote about death.
In 1988, Prince Philip said he would like to reincarnate as a deadly virus to solve overpopulation.
Prince Philip died Friday aged 99.
The death of Prince Philip was announced by Buckingham Palace Friday morning. Soon after, many people on social media began to re-share an old Prince Philip quote in which he says that after he dies, he would like to reincarnate as a deadly virus to help solve the issue of overpopulation.
The quote is noted in an article by The Guardian newspaper from 2009 where some of Prince Philip's most controversial quotes are listed. The full quote reads: "In the event that I am reincarnated, I would like to return as a deadly virus, to contribute something to solving overpopulation."
My apologies if this is too long, but just in case it's taken down in the future, here's the full text:
Claim:
Prince Philip said that he would like to be reincarnated as a deadly virus as a form of revenge against human overpopulation.
Rating:
True
True
About this rating
Origin
Virtually every list of Prince Philip’s verbal gaffes ever written includes a quote about how he would like to be reincarnated as a deadly virus and fight against human overpopulation:
"In the event that I am reincarnated, I would like to return as a deadly virus, to contribute something to solving overpopulation."
In those reports — and on various lists of notable quotes — this statement is almost universally (and unhelpfully) attributed to an "August 1988" report by the German Wire Service Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA). Snopes has not been able to identify the August 1988 report in which this statement was allegedly made. At the very least, however, it is possible that this "quote" is a paraphrase of something Prince Philip did actually write in the foreword to a 1986 book titled "People As Animals," which reads, in part:
I just wonder what it would be like to be reincarnated in an animal whose species had been so reduced in numbers than it was in danger of extinction. What would be its feelings toward the human species whose population explosion had denied it somewhere to exist... I must confess that I am tempted to ask for reincarnation as a particularly deadly virus, but that is perhaps going too far.
Copies of this book are hard to come by, but contemporaneous reporting of the book during its release confirms the quote is real. In a June 9, 1988, review of the book in the Los Angeles Times, critic Roselle M. Lewis specifically highlighted the Prince's forward:
Finally, Prince Philip of Britain, whose forward to this strange species of anthology, written on Buckingham Palace stationery, laments the near extinction of a great many animals caused by population explosion and human depredation. He suggests revenge: "I must confess that I am tempted to ask for reincarnation as a particularly deadly virus, but that is perhaps going too far."
Fleur Cowles was an author, artist, and socialite whose friends, according to the Los Angeles Times, included hundreds of "the world's most glittering rich and famous." Her book "People as Animals" was a collection of answers by her famous friends to the question "What would you choose to be if you could be reincarnated as an animal?" A portion of the book's proceeds went to the World Wildlife Fund, an organization for which Prince Philip served as president from 1981 to 1996. As described in the Los Angeles Times:
Artist and socialite Fleur Cowles, former editor of Flair magazine, which has been defunct for some years now, has produced an amusing "fun" book. It might be used to spark a friendly gathering for some lighthearted psychoanalysis and in support of the World Wildlife Fund (because part of the book's sales are earmarked for this cause).
While we are unable to ascertain if the DPA quote commonly cited originated separately from the "People as Animals" quote, it is factual that Prince Philip once argued that he would like to be reincarnated as a deadly virus as revenge against humanity's overpopulation and destruction of nature. As such, the claim is "True."
By Alex Kasprak
Alex Kasprak is an investigative journalist and science writer reporting on scientific misinformation, online fraud, and financial crime.
If it needs to be said, this was a master class in PLO history. Fascinating stuff that I suspect even a lot of Israelis don't know.
And for the generations that have no patience for long but well-crafted history lessons, that first map labeled "Israel and the Muslim world" tells them everything they need to know about recognizing who is "David" vs. who is "Goliath".
Which of course is why we never EVER see a map of the Middle East in media reports on Israel. At best they are close-ups where Israel is portrayed as so huge it can't even fit into the frame.
The Goliath message, subtly reinforced time after time.
And while I'm at it: I can't believe how many have fallen for the whining about Bethlehem being an "open-air prison" surrounded by Israel's cruel "separation wall". Every check-point between this city (once Christian, now Muslim) and Israeli territory is meticulously pointed out on maps. Yet a mild zoom-out will show that to this very day, there is no barrier AT ALL to the south and east of Bethlehem. Check it out.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! Francisco you really have exceeded our highest expectations of your brilliance as a Researcher: a Writer: and, a Righter i.e. Fixer of The Modern Malaise. I've only done a first read through and haven't yet gone into the other Parts. Will do so today. i.e. Go Where No Man Dares Tread:). I like that you have "Do Your Part" for Share. Ain't that the truth. And that at the bottom of the essay is "Discussion About This Post" in place of 'Comments' i.e. Discuss rather than just Comment. Plus the abundant Footnotes. And to reiterate your brlliance in Research is matched by your grace as a Writer/Communicator. You ARE working to make this a better world and let us hope 'just in time'. Continued good wishes for you in all ways. X Ira
A brilliant piece, as is your norm.
As a South African, growing up through the 1960's and 1970's, I am surprised to hear that Israel was the darling of any part of society. I will concede that when they made their sole appearance at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, I don't recall any protests. They also qualified as members of the Asian Football Association whereas, today, they have become members of Europe, as too many countries were threatening not to play against them.
My point being that I can vividly recall Israel struggling to find political friends and therefore, quietly, but quite definitely, befriended Apartheid South Africa. South Africa was in much the same position and befriended whoever would 'talk to them'. Israel, Taiwan and Paraguay come to mind, which I would expect were all 'unofficially' helping each other wherever they could. When Israel was at war, older members of my family went to fight with Israel. When I did my compulsory military service in the South African army in 1975, the officers spoke very highly of the Israeli military and wanted to know whether we South African conscripts were really Jewish, as our performances were not of the standard required(heh, heh).
The late professor Eugene Narrett used to call our era, World War III. But every time I read one of your fascinating articles I wonder if WWIII is not just another phase, a continuation by other means, of the eugenicist project that was WWII.
Yes, that is precisely correct. Just as WWII was a continuation of WWI.
The bosses have been trying to destroy democracy since 1848.
https://franciscogilwhite.substack.com/p/why-the-year-1848-is-so-important-today?utm_source=publication-search
Yes, democracy and, as many of us unwashed masses -- and even worse, those masses that do wash, thereby wasting so much of that clean water and other resources that the bosses want all to themselves --- as they can eliminate.
Reminds me of the Queen of England's consort's fondest wish. It wasn't for the good of his children, or country, it was to return in his next reincarnation as a deadly virus, to kill off as many people as possible, without all those nasty consequences that eventually catch up to mass murdering humans, I suppose. He dared to say the part that the bosses generally keep quiet, out loud.
Delicious. Please find me a source document for that quotation, if you can.
The original Guardian list of quotes:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/21/quotes-by-prince-philip
There are a bunch of quotes, this one among them:
On death
In the event that I am reincarnated, I would like to return as a deadly virus, to contribute something to solving overpopulation (1988)
From Business Insider:
https://www.businessinsider.com/prince-philip-quote-reincarnating-deady-virus-resurfaces-twitter-2021-4
And just in case the article disappears, here's the relevant text:
Apr 9, 2021, 8:47 AM PT
People are re-sharing an old Prince Philip quote about death.
In 1988, Prince Philip said he would like to reincarnate as a deadly virus to solve overpopulation.
Prince Philip died Friday aged 99.
The death of Prince Philip was announced by Buckingham Palace Friday morning. Soon after, many people on social media began to re-share an old Prince Philip quote in which he says that after he dies, he would like to reincarnate as a deadly virus to help solve the issue of overpopulation.
The quote is noted in an article by The Guardian newspaper from 2009 where some of Prince Philip's most controversial quotes are listed. The full quote reads: "In the event that I am reincarnated, I would like to return as a deadly virus, to contribute something to solving overpopulation."
Even Snopes isn't denying it:
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/prince-philip-deadly-virus/
My apologies if this is too long, but just in case it's taken down in the future, here's the full text:
Claim:
Prince Philip said that he would like to be reincarnated as a deadly virus as a form of revenge against human overpopulation.
Rating:
True
True
About this rating
Origin
Virtually every list of Prince Philip’s verbal gaffes ever written includes a quote about how he would like to be reincarnated as a deadly virus and fight against human overpopulation:
"In the event that I am reincarnated, I would like to return as a deadly virus, to contribute something to solving overpopulation."
In those reports — and on various lists of notable quotes — this statement is almost universally (and unhelpfully) attributed to an "August 1988" report by the German Wire Service Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA). Snopes has not been able to identify the August 1988 report in which this statement was allegedly made. At the very least, however, it is possible that this "quote" is a paraphrase of something Prince Philip did actually write in the foreword to a 1986 book titled "People As Animals," which reads, in part:
I just wonder what it would be like to be reincarnated in an animal whose species had been so reduced in numbers than it was in danger of extinction. What would be its feelings toward the human species whose population explosion had denied it somewhere to exist... I must confess that I am tempted to ask for reincarnation as a particularly deadly virus, but that is perhaps going too far.
Copies of this book are hard to come by, but contemporaneous reporting of the book during its release confirms the quote is real. In a June 9, 1988, review of the book in the Los Angeles Times, critic Roselle M. Lewis specifically highlighted the Prince's forward:
Finally, Prince Philip of Britain, whose forward to this strange species of anthology, written on Buckingham Palace stationery, laments the near extinction of a great many animals caused by population explosion and human depredation. He suggests revenge: "I must confess that I am tempted to ask for reincarnation as a particularly deadly virus, but that is perhaps going too far."
Fleur Cowles was an author, artist, and socialite whose friends, according to the Los Angeles Times, included hundreds of "the world's most glittering rich and famous." Her book "People as Animals" was a collection of answers by her famous friends to the question "What would you choose to be if you could be reincarnated as an animal?" A portion of the book's proceeds went to the World Wildlife Fund, an organization for which Prince Philip served as president from 1981 to 1996. As described in the Los Angeles Times:
Artist and socialite Fleur Cowles, former editor of Flair magazine, which has been defunct for some years now, has produced an amusing "fun" book. It might be used to spark a friendly gathering for some lighthearted psychoanalysis and in support of the World Wildlife Fund (because part of the book's sales are earmarked for this cause).
While we are unable to ascertain if the DPA quote commonly cited originated separately from the "People as Animals" quote, it is factual that Prince Philip once argued that he would like to be reincarnated as a deadly virus as revenge against humanity's overpopulation and destruction of nature. As such, the claim is "True."
By Alex Kasprak
Alex Kasprak is an investigative journalist and science writer reporting on scientific misinformation, online fraud, and financial crime.
If it needs to be said, this was a master class in PLO history. Fascinating stuff that I suspect even a lot of Israelis don't know.
And for the generations that have no patience for long but well-crafted history lessons, that first map labeled "Israel and the Muslim world" tells them everything they need to know about recognizing who is "David" vs. who is "Goliath".
Which of course is why we never EVER see a map of the Middle East in media reports on Israel. At best they are close-ups where Israel is portrayed as so huge it can't even fit into the frame.
The Goliath message, subtly reinforced time after time.
And while I'm at it: I can't believe how many have fallen for the whining about Bethlehem being an "open-air prison" surrounded by Israel's cruel "separation wall". Every check-point between this city (once Christian, now Muslim) and Israeli territory is meticulously pointed out on maps. Yet a mild zoom-out will show that to this very day, there is no barrier AT ALL to the south and east of Bethlehem. Check it out.
https://www.ochaopt.org/content/west-bank-access-restrictions-map-july-2025
Takeaway point: Do not underestimate the power of maps that are honestly / dishonestly displayed.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! Francisco you really have exceeded our highest expectations of your brilliance as a Researcher: a Writer: and, a Righter i.e. Fixer of The Modern Malaise. I've only done a first read through and haven't yet gone into the other Parts. Will do so today. i.e. Go Where No Man Dares Tread:). I like that you have "Do Your Part" for Share. Ain't that the truth. And that at the bottom of the essay is "Discussion About This Post" in place of 'Comments' i.e. Discuss rather than just Comment. Plus the abundant Footnotes. And to reiterate your brlliance in Research is matched by your grace as a Writer/Communicator. You ARE working to make this a better world and let us hope 'just in time'. Continued good wishes for you in all ways. X Ira
George of the Jungle, you beat me to the keyboard and a good thing you did, too. I couldn't have phrased mine any better.
It was really nice to read this after a hard day of work. Many thanks!