Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein says he is undeterred by a wave of anti-Israel protests and calls for his arrest ahead of an address to members of the UK Parliament later today.
Activists projected messages calling on Britain to “arrest illegal occupation Edelstein,” and charged “Israel’s racist leader Edelstein not welcome,” on the outer walls of the Palace of Westminster Tuesday evening objecting to Edelstein’s scheduled address.
But according to Israel National News, Edelstein took the hostility in stride, saying, “our haters do not deter me.”
“I’m currently making my way to my first visit and to give a speech before the members of parliament. I will find there supporters and opponents alike, and this is an opportunity for me to make the Israeli position heard without hesitation,” he said.
Edelstein on Tuesday met with British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond at the UK Foreign Ministry. The Knesset Speaker was accompanied by MKs Yoav Kish, Hilik Bar and Revital Swid. In the meeting topics such as the Palestinian issue, the situation in Gaza, as well as Iran were raised.
Yuli Edelstein with Philip Hammond, 2 March 2016 (Source: Israel in the UK)
Edelstein thanked his host for Britain’s friendship, which he termed one of the greatest friendships of Israel in Europe and the world, as well as for the UK’s opposition to a boycott against Israel.
“The boycott achieves opposite results, because all those seeking to boycott goods produced in Judea and Samaria harm in effect the Palestinian workers who earn their daily bread there,” he noted.
Hammond then claimed that Israel is breaching international law with its presence in Judea and Samaria, at which Edelstein said, “11 years ago we left Gaza and evacuated thousands from their homes, and what we received wasn’t peace but rather terror. The situation got worse due to our withdrawal from Gaza.”
He went on to note that most of the funds reaching Gaza are being invested in rockets and terror tunnels, and do not serve the welfare of the public.
Regarding Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria, the 2012 Levy Report proved that Israel’s presence is in fact legal according to international law. The Levy Report has yet to be adopted by the Israeli government.
