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Lynne Segal and Adem Oner |
Iznik is cheap, cheerful and a little bit special
Peter Gruner joins feminist and political campaigner Lynne Segal for lunch at Iznik
CURRENTLY campaigning on behalf of desperate Palestinians in the Middle East, Lynne Segal, one of Britain’s best-known feminists, believes you must never stop fighting for a just world.
That is the message in her highly praised new book, Making Trouble (Serpent’s Tail £10.95), which chronicles the radical campaigns against war, racism, sexism, and homophobia from the 60s up to present day.
Lynne, now professor of psychology and gender studies at Birkbeck college, University of London, still lives in Highbury. It was here 30 years ago that she helped establish the famous Islington Gutter Press, one of the early left wing libertarian newspapers giving an alternative view to the mainstream press.
“I believe that there was a much more optimistic political climate in the Seventies,” she says.
“We had this sense that we were creating a kinder, more tolerant, more supportive and nurturing world. The world has turned out to be exactly the opposite.”
Lynne and I met at her beloved Iznik restaurant, which she has been coming to since it opened in 1989, and where she has become friends with owners Adem and Pirlanta Oner. As we sit and chat at lunchtime there’s a wonderful cooking aroma coming from the kitchen.
“I often bring colleagues and friends here and we can sit and talk without being disturbed,” she says. “The food is wonderful and well priced. There’s always a good atmosphere.”
If it’s a special occasion Lynne will opt for fish like cipura – grilled gilthead bream – served with baked potoes and salad (£10.50).
But today she is busy and we stick to a selection of starters, all perfectly prepared and very tasty.
They include humus and pita bread, cacik (cucumber salad with garlic mint and home made yoghurt) fava (pureed broad bean salad dressed with dill), and dolma (vine leaves stuffed with rice, pine nuts, raisins, and herbs).
It comes to just £5.95 each, washed down with refreshing mint tea.
Lynne, who is Jewish, is currently supporting the campaign Jews for Justice for Palestinians, which held its packed inaugural meeting at Hampstead Town hall in February, chaired by Channel 4 news presenter Jon Snow.
“There is a huge humanitarian crisis in the Gaza and West Bank”, Lynne said.
“Israel's policies are breeding hatred and resentment.
“It is crucial that Jews speak out for Palestinians' human rights. We belive that the values of Israeli society have been corrupted.”
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