The 2024 General Election is around the corner and one big issue facing the next government will be Britain’s support for Israel.
CUFI has produced an overview of each of the main party’s manifesto policies towards Israel. We also encourage you to know your candidates’ views regarding Israel. Here are three strategies that you may like to apply before election day on 4th July to let candidates know about the importance of Israel to you in this election.
1. If you are 100% certain how you will vote
Maybe you have already decided which party and candidate you will vote for, and nothing will change your opinion before 4th July. Therefore, the views of each candidate might not seem a priority. However, your chosen candidate needs to hear your support for Israel. After 4th July they might be sitting on the green benches of the House of Commons, so this is a wonderful opportunity to initiate engagement with your (potentially) next MP.
Tell them that you are planning to vote for them and explain your support for Israel. Assuming that they support Israel, this will encourage them in their conviction if elected and will hopefully be the start of a relationship with your MP that will be able to cultivate longer-term. But if there is something in their party’s manifesto about Israel that concerns you, or the manifesto doesn’t adequately cover, then take this opportunity to highlight it and why. See below for issues you may like to raise.
2. If you are still undecided how you will vote
With election day approaching, maybe you are still undecided which candidate will get your vote. Perhaps you have narrowed it down to two parties. Will their views on Israel be the deciding factor? Perhaps they both support Israel. Either way, you are in a strong strategic position to project your support for Israel and influence opinion. Message or speak to each candidate informing them that you are considering voting for them, but indicate that it is between him/her and another candidate. Tell them that Israel is a very important issue for you and will be a major factor in how you vote. Ask them some key questions to ascertain their personal support for Israel and why voting for them will be the right decision in light of your concern for Israel.
3. If your chosen candidate is not expected to win
Maybe you have already decided how you will vote, but your chosen candidate is not expected to win. Firstly, polls are not always right, and it is always important to cast your vote. You should still follow one of the previous strategies, but what if by 5th July the candidate you voted for is not elected? Your new MP still represents you. Therefore, consider messaging or speaking to them before the election to share your views about Israel and how they would best represent you if elected.
Issues to raise when speaking to candidates about Israel
Here are some issues you may wish to raise with candidates or inform elected MPs:
– Supporting Israel’s right to defend itself.
– Tackling the rising tide of antisemitism.
– Taking tougher action about hate speech against Israel and against Jews in the street protests.
– Committing to Britain’s bilateral relationship with Israel, including guaranteeing to continue arms to Israel.
– Defending Israel from the threat posed by Iran and its terror proxies, such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, as well as banning the IRGC.
– Standing against antisemitic boycotts of Israel.
– Oppose rewarding Hamas terror with recognition of a Palestinian state, which would undermine Israel’s security and move the two sides further away from peace.
Admittedly, most of the main parties would take issue with at least one of these points (and sadly there are some parties that would disagree with most, as our overview of the manifestos show). However, those who are elected on 4th July need to know that there are Christians in the country (and in their own constituencies) that stand with Israel and the Jewish people. Who knows, maybe your voice will make an impact. Perhaps your next MP, even if not receiving your vote, will be a voice of reason in their party.
What you can do after the election
After 4th July, you will know who your MP is for the next Parliament. Whichever way you voted, it is important to remember that they represent you. You might know your MP’s name, but do they know you? This question is one of the keys to effective pro-Israel advocacy. CUFI has produced an Israel Advocacy Toolbox in which we answer some common questions about contacting your MP and explain how your MP can get to know you better.
- Is it worth writing to an anti-Israel MP?
- Should I still write to a pro-Israel MP?
- The pro-Palestinian lobby is huge, does writing make a difference?
- What if I’m not happy with their reply?
- How do we break through standard policy replies?
- Can you help with suggested wording?
To view CUFI’s Israel Advocacy Toolbox, please
or download here
Let’s make our voices heard. For Zion’s sake, we will not keep silent.
