Christians United for Israel UK is urging voters to “Think Israel” when voting at next week’s General Election.
On 7th May, the British public will go to the polls to determine who will be in government for the next five years. With 650 seats available, many commentators are predicting another “hung parliament”, which in 2010 was resolved by a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition.
Christians United for Israel UK (CUFI) believes that Britain’s relationship with Israel and the future of the Jewish people in Europe could become key factors during the next five years.
“There are a number of important issues that Christians will be concerned about when voting next week and we recommend that our nation’s position in regards to Israel should be one of them,” says Des Starritt, Executive Director of CUFI in the UK.
“Whilst we are a non-political organisation, we want to see a Britain that stands with Israel and therefore encourage Christians to consider the position of their candidates. If their position on Israel is unknown, please ask them before next Thursday,” he continues.
“Do you support Israel’s right to exist? Are you committed to stand with Israel as an ally of Britain? Do you support a boycott of Israeli goods? What will you do to counteract the rise of anti-Semitism in Britain? These are some of the questions we should be asking,” says Mr Starritt.
The election comes at a time when there is a worrying escalation in anti-Semitism in the UK with a record number of incidents being reported in 2014. The rise prompted Prime Minister David Cameron in March to pledge £10 million to help protect synagogues and Jewish schools. He also affirmed his commitment to stand with Israel expressing opposition to boycotting Israel and describing Israel as an “extraordinary nation” when considering its location and surrounding threats.
“Britain’s relationship with Israel and the future of the Jewish people in Europe could become key factors during the next five years.”
Meanwhile a survey of Jewish voters has revealed that 69% would support the Conservatives, whilst only 22 percent say they will vote Labour – a move away from traditionally strong support from the Jewish community for Labour. Commentators are viewing this turn-around as a result of leader Ed Milliband’s approach to Israel and the Middle East. However, Milliband has this week committed to make anti-Semitic crimes a specific offence as part of new hate crime measures if he was to become prime minister.
Israel has support from Labour candidacy. For example, in March MP Michael Dugher described himself as a Zionist, saying ““Israel is more than just a country. It’s an idea. An idea founded on a set of values and principles. An idea that is worth fighting for.”
The UK Independence Party (UKIP) has also spoken favourably towards Israel. In December MP Douglas Carswell said “no country better embodies the idea of national self-determination than Israel.” Also UKIP leader Nigel Farage, a member of the European Parliament, criticised the “strong bias” against Israel within the European Union and said that UKIP “fundamentally believes in Israel’s right to exist and sympathises with it because it finds itself in a horrid position.”
Meanwhile, the Green Party reiterated its position on Israel last week when leader, Nathalie Bennett, confirmed she backs a cultural boycott of Israel. The Green Party manifesto also calls for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which is worth more than £1 billion a year.
“The Bible is very clear that when a nation blesses Israel and the Jewish people then they will be blessed,” says Mr Starritt, “Whichever party or parties have the majority next week, we must pray that Britain will have a government that honours Israel.”
CUFI-UK
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Manifestos and Israel:
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[column col=”9″] Conservatives: “support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, robustly defending the right of Israel to protect its security, while continuing to condemn illegal settlement building, which undermines the prospects for peace” [/column]
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[column col=”9″] Greens: “We seek a just, sustainable and peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, based on mutual recognition of the rights to independent statehood for Palestinians and Israelis. We condemn human rights violations by both parties and the oppression and disproportionate use of aggression by the Israeli government against the people of Gaza. We seek to suspend the EU–Israel Association Agreement.” [/column]
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[column col=”9″] Labour: “Peace and security in the Middle East are one of Labour’s most important foreign policy objectives. We remain committed to a comprehensive two-state solution – a secure Israel alongside a viable and independent state of Palestine. There can be no military solution to this conflict and all sides must avoid taking action that would make peace harder to achieve. Labour will continue to press for an immediate return to meaningful negotiations leading to a diplomatic resolution.” [/column]
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[column col=”9″] Liberal Democrats: “Remain committed to a negotiated peace settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which includes a two-state solution. We condemn disproportionate force used by all sides. We condemn Hamas’ rocket attacks and other targeting of Israeli civilians. We condemn Israel’s continued illegal policy of settlement expansion, which undermines the possibility of a two-state solution. We support recognition of the independent State of Palestine as and when it will help the prospect of a two-state solution.” [/column]
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[column col=”9″] SNP: “We will call on the next UK government to pursue a two state solution for Israel and Palestine and to support the formal recognition of a Palestinian state.” [/column]
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[column col=”9″] UKIP: “In the Middle East, UKIP wants to see nations at peace, but acknowledges that sectarianism, fuelled by historical Western involvement, has rendered this all but impossible within a generation. We want to see a peaceful, two-state solution in Israel and the Palestinian territories.” [/column]
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