MAGAZINE 2015 / 2016 INFORMED

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75 YEARS+ COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE. WEBSITE DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT Contents SECURE AND CONFIDENTIAL 2 Introducing CFI 20 IsraAID: Fighting Ebola Shachar Zahawi 3 Foreword 22 Israel: A Democratic Beacon 4 CFI and Israel According To… MP 100% 6 A Message from Prime Minister 24 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the UK SATISFACTION 7 A Message from Eitan Na’eh, Chargé d’Affaires, 26 UN and the NUS: The Israel Obsession Embassy of Israel Sedef Akademir

8 A Message from His Excellency David Quarrey, 28 Palestinian Authority Incitement British Ambassador to Israel Guto Bebb MP, John Howell OBE MP and TRANSFORMIS Andrew Percy MP LIMITED. Reg. 08178661 9 UK-Israel Trade: The Golden Age Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP 30 UK and Israel: A Match Made in Heaven Jon Medved 10 CFI Delegations to Israel MP and Suella Fernandes MP 32 The Children of Operation Protective Edge – 0203 6974 196 One Year On 12 General Election Campaign Diary Einat Shazar

0800 689 0033 14 In Conversation with Rt. Hon. Sir MP 33 The IDF: Israel’s Melting Pot [email protected] Tanyah Murkes 16 Conservative Future: Israel Delegation Diary www.transformis.co.uk Ellie Vesey-Thompson 34 CFI’s Calendar: 2014/15

18 Conservative Party: Israel and the Jewish 36 Congratulations, Stuart! PHONE FOR A FREE Community

CONSULTATION @CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 1 Introducing CFI

Parliamentary Group Chairman: Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP Vice-Chairmen: Guto Bebb MP; John Howell OBE MP; Andrew Percy MP Officers: MP; MP; Oliver Dowden MP; Mike Freer MP; MP; MP; Dame Angela Watkinson DBE MP; Heather Wheeler MP Chairman, CFI Europe: Timothy Kirkhope MEP

Directors of CFI Ltd Chairman: Andrew Heller Deputy Chairman: Hilda Worth Treasurer: Stephen Massey Honorary President: Stuart Polak CBE

Professional Team Deputy Director: James Gurd Projects Manager: Einat Shazar Research & Events Officer: Sedef Akademir Israel Liaison: Tanyah Murkes Project Assistant: Elkie Myers

Conservative Friends of Israel CFI Ltd, PO Box 72288, London, SW1P 9LB

T: 020 7262 2493 E: [email protected] W: www.cfoi.co.uk

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Conservative Friends of Israel

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Editor of Informed Magazine - James Gurd, CFI

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22 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 Foreword Andrew Heller Stuart Polak CBE Chairman, CFI Honorary President, CFI

e are pleased to report Territories continue to form the Minister David Cameron who personally that CFI has gone from cornerstone of CFI’s activity. During the thanked him for his efforts to strengthen W strength to strength under Summer Recess, CFI were joined in the relationship between the UK and the guidance of our distinguished new Israel by nine newly elected MPs and a Israel, and for his “crucial role in the Parliamentary Chairman, Rt. Hon. Sir whole series of delegations are planned shared democratic values that both Eric Pickles MP. with the new intake of Conservative MPs of our countries hold dear”. We would in the coming year. like to thank Daniel for his years of The Conservative Party displayed dedicated service and wish him the its steadfast support for the State of In July 2015, CFI’s Parliamentary best of luck for the future. Israel time and again during the last Chairman, Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP, Parliament. From record levels of trade led CFI’s new team of Parliamentary At Conservative Party Conference in and the UK-led EU-wide proscription Officers on a high-profile delegation to 2014, 400 delegates packed into a of Hezbollah’s military wing, to the Israel. The delegation, which featured CFI Reception with Foreign Secretary countless Ministerial visits to Israel and the Prime Minister’s landmark speech CFI is delighted to welcome so many new in the Knesset, the support came in Members of Parliament to the Conservative both word and deed. At its moment of need during Summer 2014, the Prime benches. Minister, Government, and Party, spoke decisively in support of Israel’s right a full itinerary of political and security Philip Hammond. The annual event has briefings, included a meeting with to self-defence against terror become somewhat of a highlight on the attacks. These are the actions of a truly Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin. political calendar. committed friend. In June 2015, CFI led a delegation of CFI also continue to hold briefing events In the run-up to the General Election, CFI 15 Conservative Future members to in Westminster with acclaimed Israeli campaigned in as many as 12 target Israel, in coordination with the Embassy politicians, academics and journalists, seats around the country. In addition to of Israel. The delegation was the first in including Vice Prime Minister Silvan our series of hugely successful Action a new programme of fact-finding visits Shalom. Days in London, the team also spent to Israel for younger activists and offers three weeks on the road campaigning in an exciting new way to introduce the We would like to thank the Professional constituencies from North to the Conservative Party’s future leaders and Team at CFI for their hard work, Midlands. CFI is delighted to welcome opinion formers to the country. alongside our newly established so many new Members of Parliament to Parliamentary Group led by Rt. Hon. the Conservative benches and we look We were pleased to welcome Prime Sir Eric Pickles MP, who we know will forward to working with them all over the Minister David Cameron to our Annual be pivotal in leading CFI’s efforts in coming months and years. Business Lunch back in December 2014. Addressing the 700-strong Parliament. The strength of the UK-Israel audience, the Prime Minister reaffirmed relationship was highlighted once his support for Israel, stating: “What an If you would like further information again in September 2015 when Israel’s incredible nation this is – and we are a about any of CFI’s activities please visit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu true friend”. our recently redesigned website (www. made a high-profile visit to London. cfoi.co.uk) and follow us on CFI were delighted to cosponsor a In July 2015, CFI held a farewell lunch (@CFoI) for the latest news. special parliamentary briefing with for the departing Ambassador of PM Netanyahu, attended by 35 Israel, H.E. Daniel Taub. The lunch Thank you for your interest in CFI. Conservative parliamentarians. was attended by over 85 MPs, Peers and key supporters. The Ambassador We do hope we can count on your Delegations to Israel and the Palestinian was presented with a letter from Prime support.

@CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 3 Prime Minister David Cameron in Jerusalem

CFI and Israel According To… Rt. Hon. equivalence between an Israeli tunnels to kidnap and murder, and David Cameron MP government that wants to defend its repeatedly refused to accept ceasefires. people and its territory against attack, As Prime Minister Netanyahu said, and I Prime Minister and terrorists that want to kill as many agree with this, every word: “Israel uses people as they can with the weapons missile defence to protect its civilians. “With me as Prime Minister you have and the bombs and the missiles that Hamas uses civilians to protect its a strong friend of Israel, someone who they throw over Israel’s borders. And missiles”. There can never be any believes in Israel’s right to defend itself this country will always be a staunch equivalence between the two. and someone who won’t blow in the friend of Israel”. CFI Annual Business Lunch, wind when there’s pressure on these 10 Downing Street Hanukkah Party, December 2014 things”. December 2014 Jewish News, May 2015 “I’ve been a friend of Israel through thick “Israel is a vulnerable country and and thin. I believe in Israel – and that “As PM, putting yourself in the shoes of yet, against all odds, it has become belief is rock solid. It is an extraordinary the Israeli people, who want peace but an oasis of freedom where the call to nation – and even more extraordinary have to put up with these indiscriminate prayer mingles with church bells, and when you think where it is”. attacks - that reinforces to me the where Hebrew, Arabic, Aramaic, echo CFI Annual Business Lunch, importance of standing by Israel and down narrow streets. And it’s a symbol December 2014 Israel’s right to defend itself”. of success, supplying Britain with a Jewish Chronicle, April 2015 sixth of our prescription medicines and “This amazing organisation [CFI] - developing the processors that we use bigger today than I have ever seen it - “When Israel is under attack from in our laptops. And Israel is a country works both ways. This group is a friend rockets or terror tunnels - you will never with more start-ups per capita than of the Conservatives. For the past 40 be alone. As I said in the Knesset, I will any other country in the world. What an years, CFI has been there for this Party, always stand up for the right of Israel to incredible nation this is – and we are a bringing us together, getting behind defend its citizens, a right enshrined in true friend”. our candidates and taking people to international law, in natural justice and CFI Annual Business Lunch, Israel, because nothing comes closer fundamental morality”. December 2014 to helping you understand that country CST Annual Dinner, March 2015 than actually visiting”. “During the Summer, Hamas rained CFI Annual Business Lunch, “Let us be clear: there is no moral down rockets on Israel, built extensive December 2014

4 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 Rt. Hon. MP Home Secretary

“It is worth restating the threats faced by Israel because they are considerable. There are the familiar but deadly threats from Hamas and Hezbollah. The collapse of Syria that has spawned ISIS and threatens to destabilise Lebanon and Jordan. The instability of the wider region. And the threats issued to Israel Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP at CFI by Iran. No democratic government Annual Business Lunch 2013 could, in the face of such danger, do anything but maintain a strong defence and be prepared to deploy it if for the rocket attacks that have been friends of Israel or are we not? I believe necessary. That is why I – and the whole launched out of Gaza into Southern the Conservative Party has passed that British Government – will always defend Israel”. test with its staunch support for the Israel’s right to defend itself”. CFI Party Conference Reception, State of Israel. I don’t believe the Liberal CFI Parliamentary Reception, October 2014 Democrats have passed that test. And September 2014 I certainly believe that Ed Miliband and “It is important to me that the Labour have well and truly failed that Rt. Hon. Conservative Party has a good test… The truth is that Labour failed relationship with Israel and with CFI. You Philip Hammond MP Israel at their time of need”. do a great job for the Party and I want CFI Party Conference Reception, Foreign Secretary to thank you for everything that you’ve October 2014 done and even more for everything that “We are absolutely clear that Israel has you will do in the future”. Rt. Hon. a right to defend itself. We are absolutely CFI Party Conference Reception, clear that there is no justification at all October 2014 Sir Eric Pickles MP Parliamentary Rt. Hon. Chairman, CFI Sajid Javid MP Business Secretary “It has been a great pleasure to visit Israel once again with CFI alongside so many colleagues. Our itinerary has “I have no tolerance for cultural boycotts afforded us an insight into the many of Israel… Whether cultural, educational or divestment, the answer is the same… faces of Israel; from the country’s Boycotts are a form of the oldest hatred vibrant democracy, to the scientific in the world”. advances of the Weizmann Institute, Board of Deputies Election Hustings, and the gift of life that Save A Child’s March 2015 Heart has given to almost 4,000 children with cognitive heart defects Rt. Hon. from Gaza, the West Bank and beyond. Israel can rest assured that it has a MP steadfast friend in the Conservative Northern Party, and my fellow CFI Officers and I Secretary have renewed determination to support Israel in Parliament and showcase its Home Secretary Theresa May addresses “The political establishment in this CFI Parliamentary Reception 2014 remarkable achievements”. country has been tested... Are we really CFI Israel Delegation, July 2015

@CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 5 6 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 @CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 7 8 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 UK-Israel Trade: The Golden Age

Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP Our exports to Israel are increasing to support Israel as it exploits recent Business Secretary rapidly, and the UK is now Israel’s discoveries of natural gas in its waters – second biggest export market. through strategic partnerships, project finance and supply chains. olda Meir, In addition, we’ve seen a significant the original increase in the number of Israeli And we must continue to work together GIron Lady, companies showing interest in raising on achieving medical breakthroughs once said that the capital on the London Stock Exchange. – whether through BIRAX, the Britain- people of Israel Nine Israeli companies carried out IPOs Israel Research & Academic Exchange have only one complaint about Moses – that he The past few years have been a golden era led the Jews through the desert for for Anglo-Israeli business. 40 years, and then finally stopped at the one place in the Middle East that on the LSE last year – second only to Partnership, or as GSK and Technion doesn’t have any oil. the UK itself. are doing, or the NHS and Teva Pharmaceuticals, through a £12.5 But necessity is the mother of invention So the past few years have been a million joint research agreement. and, over the past 67 years, Israel golden era for Anglo-Israeli business. really has made business bloom in the But what really excites me are the It is a great relationship and I’m proud barren desert. And that’s been a huge possibilities offered by the years to to say my department is working benefit to Britain. come. hard to boost Anglo-Israeli trade and investment. And, as Business The total value of trade and services We look towards Israel to benefit Secretary, I’ll do anything I can to between our two countries is now well from its world-leading expertise in support and promote it. over £5 billion a year. Last year alone, 25 cyber security. And equally, we want Israeli companies set up or expanded their operations in the UK. Israeli- owned CinemaCity amalgamated with the UK’s own Cineworld. The Helios Energy Fund committed £30 million to set up 30 biomass installations in the UK. The Noy Fund announced plans to invest £50 million in UK waste-to- energy projects.

There are now over 300 Israeli companies with a physical presence here, responsible for thousands of jobs.

But this is not a one-way street. Great British businesses like HSBC, GSK, Barclays, Rolls-Royce and others have Israeli CEOs open the London Stock Exchange invested more than £1 billion in Israel.

@CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 9 CFI Delegations to Israel

Oliver Dowden MP Sderot in Southern Israel and saw how Embassy, Britain is both collaborating Hertsmere vulnerable Israeli citizens were to rocket and learning lessons from Israel. attacks from Gaza. I could not help but have always imagine living in that town myself and I am very grateful to have had this taken an thinking about how I too would want opportunity. The conversations that I interest in the Middle I would thoroughly recommend such a visit to East and any parliamentarian, regardless of their current already had views on the situation in the Middle East. sympathy for Israel as an to take steps to protect my family from CFI facilitated with political and military open, free and these sorts of attacks. officials, academics and other figures democratic country in a dangerous part from both the Israeli and Palestinian of the world. I had a particularly moving visit to the side was very impressive and greatly Har Dov synagogue in Jerusalem, the enhanced my knowledge of the region. Nothing though beats the experience site of a deadly terror attack against of actually seeing the situation on the worshippers two weeks prior. A peaceful I would thoroughly recommend such a ground. The first thing that struck me place of worship had been turned into a visit to any parliamentarian, regardless both flying into Israel and then standing scene of unimaginable horror as four of their current views on the situation in in Jerusalem, was just how narrow the worshippers were brutally murdered. the Middle East. strip of land it occupies is. You can see I was struck by the determination of the Mediterranean on one side and the those at the synagogue to continue Nothing beats the Jordan Valley on the other. This starkly with their lives and the whole country’s experience of seeing brought home to me the vulnerability of search for a lasting peace in the face of Israel’s position. continuing terror. the situation on the ground. This was reinforced as I stood in Visiting Israel gave me more than just an insight into the political situation. Oliver Dowden MP at the Western Wall Oliver Dowden MP with Watching the television news in the UK rocket remains in Sderot you get no sense of quite how vibrant, cosmopolitan and multicultural Israel is. Sitting in a café or bar in Tel Aviv, you could just as easily be sitting in a café or bar in the East End of London. This experience makes Israel as a country, and the concerns of its people, much more real and dispels many of the myths that one can subconsciously take in about the country.

Israel’s incredible high-tech start-up scene is gaining global recognition. From cyber security to open government platforms, Israel is leading the way in many breakthrough technologies. I learned how through our

10 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 Suella Fernandes MP Fareham

uring the Summer D Recess, I had the great pleasure of visiting Israel and the West Bank with eight of my Suella Fernandes MP with rocket remains in Sderot newly elected colleagues. Importantly, the itinerary afforded us the the many people that I met. Common My week in the region was most opportunity to hear from all sides and humanity prevails. Save a Child’s Heart, a charity based at the Wolfson illuminating; whether it was the visit to the many shades of opinion in between. Medical Center in Holon, near Tel Aviv, the Netiv Ha’asara moshav in Southern Nothing in this region is simply black or white. In Ramallah, for example, we met provides free life-saving heart surgery Israel, where families live under the to children from Gaza, the West Bank, and developing countries all over the Importantly, the itinerary afforded us the world, who suffer with congenital heart opportunity to hear from all sides and the many disease. Here, we saw no division shades of opinion in between. between Israeli and Palestinian but only charity and tenderness.

with businessmen who spoke of their constant threat of rocket fire from Gaza, I have returned to the UK reflecting on everyday concerns, including restricted or the visit to Rawabi and the Palestinian the causes, effects, and complexities of access to water in the area. entrepreneurs trying to regenerate and an issue which has defined generations invest in an area with high-levels of of politicians. I’m grateful to CFI for I was especially grateful for the time that unemployment. its professionalism, balance, and Knesset Members of the Likud, Labor comprehensiveness in contributing to and Meretz parties made to speak to a peaceful and lasting solution through Our visit encompassed a thorough us about their experiences at the heart education and openness. exploration of the military, diplomatic, of the political system during Budget political, economic, and social Day in the Knesset. The strength of challenges facing Israel and the Israel’s democratic credentials was on Palestinian Authority today. show through the sheer scope of views expressed by the different political For a country faced with so many parties. existential threats, defence and security were recurring themes. Discussing Our visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust the construction of the security barrier Memorial, where the shocking stories around the West Bank with Col. Dany of the six million Jewish victims Tirza was particularly absorbing as he are preserved, was unspeakably described the realities of countless poignant and impressed the need for suicide bombings against civilians in remembrance and permanent vigil. Jerusalem and right across Israel during the Second Intifada. The security barrier Amongst all the strife in the region continues to play a key role in thwarting and the needless loss of life through terrorism, with 80 attempted suicide mindless terrorism, I was struck by the Suella Fernandes MP overlooking Jerusalem bombings prevented in 2014 alone. compassion, innovation, and hope of

@CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 11 Team CFI with Guto Bebb outside Conwy Castle

General Election Campaign Diary

n the run-up to the 2015 General CFI activists spent the day campaigning members were out in force in Hendon Election, CFI was active at every with Simon Marcus in the Kensal Rise leafleting for Matthew Offord. Our feet Ilevel in campaigning for a majority area of his patch. & Kilburn were wet but our spirits remained high Conservative Government. Team CFI was the most marginal seat in the as we delivered thousands of rather spent three weeks on the road in country and it was a tight race all the soggy leaflets! various target seats across the UK and way to the end. also held a series of hugely successful Friday 10th April: CFI Campaigning in Action Days for Conservative Sunday 29th March: CFI Action Day Watford and Harlow candidates in London. Come rain or in Hendon shine, Team CFI walked well over 100 Team CFI were split between the miles as we canvassed and leafleted Despite a deluge, CFI and dozens of our Watford and Harlow seats campaigning our way across the country.

Sunday 15th February: CFI Action Team CFI with Andrew Percy in Day in Harrow West and Harrow East

A busy day for CFI activists who were out and about with Hannah David in Harrow West and Bob Blackman in Harrow East. We are delighted that Bob Blackman was returned to Parliament on May 7th and there is plenty of Conservative support in Harrow West to build upon for the next election in 2020.

Sunday 8th March: CFI Action Day in Hampstead & Kilburn

12 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 for both Richard Harrington and . These excellent MPs increased their majorities by a significant amount - congratulations to them both!

Monday 20th April – Friday 24th April: CFI Campaigning in Aberconwy and Brigg & Goole

The CFI road trip began in beautiful North Wales with a couple of days of campaigning with Guto Bebb in Aberconwy. The weather was perfect, the local scenery spectacular, and Guto certainly proved to be a popular local MP! From Wales, we drove across the country to spend some time pounding the pavements with Andrew Percy Campaigning with and in Corby in Brigg & Goole, in the counties of Yorkshire and . Andrew’s honest and down to earth style has largest Action Day yet with Mike Freer. were wrong and it wasn’t as close as earned him quite the following in the Mike has worked very hard in the they were predicting. On Election Day, patch. constituency and deserves the support CFI made one final push in Stanmore he has built up. with Bob Blackman and arrived home Monday 27th April – Friday 1st May: just in time for that exit poll. CFI Campaigning in Corby, Halesowen Monday 4th May – Thursday 7th May: & Rowley Regis, Wolverhampton, and CFI Campaigning in Harrow East, The CFI team had a wonderful time Loughborough Hendon, and Hampstead & Kilburn meeting hundreds of people across the country to talk about the Conservative In Corby, the CFI team were joined by Team CFI spent the last week busily Party’s vision for a brighter, more secure then Justice Secretary Chris Grayling campaigning across London with future. Thank you to everyone who and Jonathan Djanogly in campaigning return visits to Harrow East, Hendon, participated in our Action Days and for Tom Pursglove, now the youngest and Hampstead & Kilburn. The level of congratulations to all the Conservative MP on the Conservative benches. CFI support received on the doorsteps gave MPs elected on May 7th. were then delighted to join James Morris a strong indication that the pollsters in the West Midlands constituency of Halesowen & Rowley Regis where lots Team CFI with Education Secretary Nicky Morgan in Loughborough of leaflets were delivered and some very steep hills climbed! In Wolverhampton, the CFI team could barely move a few metres without Paul Uppal being stopped by constituents keen to have a chat. The team finished an exhausting week in Loughborough with Education Secretary Nicky Morgan who had an army of activists working to ensure the seat remained blue.

Sunday 3rd May: CFI Action Day in Finchley & Golders Green

CFI activists came out in force for our

@CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 13 Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP with Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin

In Conversation with Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP

FI’s new Parliamentary Chairman, Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP, is opinion with Jewish opinion, so that a long-standing friend of the Jewish State, having first visited the are held accountable for C country in 1980. CFI’s Deputy Director James Gurd sat down with the actions of the Israeli Government. Who much respected Sir Eric to hear about his support for Israel and plans for the can forget the careless interview by the future as Parliamentary Chairman. BBC, during the Charlie Hebdo march in Paris, of a Jewish French citizen who Why is Israel important to you and my immediate predecessors, James why have you been a friend of Arbuthnot and James Clappison. The was asked to justify Israel’s actions Israel for so long? clue is in the title - I intend to be a true in Gaza? Sometimes it is sloppy friend of Israel. That is not to say that journalism, but all too often it is a thinly I joined CFI on the same day I became CFI supports everything the Israeli disguised anti-Semitism. an MP in 1992. For me it is the great Government does - this is something dividing line in politics: Israel is a we share with the Israeli electorate! Support for Israel democracy with freedom of speech, remains strong within freedom under the law, and it offers CFI will seek to emphasise the cultural, the West a stable friend in a notoriously academic, and business relationship the Party. unstable region. No dictatorship, even between our two nations. Those who a benign one, can come close to advocate a trade boycott of Israel are How was your visit to Israel with matching that. also speaking for action that would CFI in July 2015? damage the UK economy. What are your plans as It was great to be joined in Israel by Parliamentary Chairman of CFI? There is also a new sinister aspect of CFI’s new team of Parliamentary British politics that we must confront: Officers so early in the new Parliament. I hope to build on the great work of the deliberate conflation of Israeli We arrived a few days after the

14 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 signing of the Iran nuclear deal and and welfare. Her calm determination for visiting Israel with CFI. However, there is this dominated discussions. Israel is a peaceful future gave me hope. no denying that support for Israel took a seeking real tangible reassurances bit of a dent following the conflict within of Iran’s intentions and the West’s What changes have you noticed Gaza last year. Our job is to ensure proposed reaction to any breaches of within Israel since you first visited? that MPs and the wider Party have the the agreement. fullest facts before them so that they I first visited Israel in 1980 as the newly can make their own mind up. We saw the very best of Israel elected National Chairman of the Young throughout the visit. From the Conservatives. 25 years ago it was a What makes the Conservative Party extraordinary scientists working to bring predominantly agricultural economy, such a strong supporter of Israel? their life-giving technologies to water whereas now it is more diverse with a Israel is an open, free, liberal society Those who advocate a trade boycott of Israel surrounded by states in which the rule are also speaking for action that would damage of law is but a distant memory, and its the UK economy. voice deserves to be heard. poor countries across the world, to fast-moving modern economy. This What do you think the future holds the volunteers at Save A Child’s Heart change can be measured by the for the State of Israel? providing life-saving heart surgery to astonishing fact that the world’s largest Palestinian children from Gaza and the register of new patents in 2014 was It is surrounded by chaos and violence, West Bank. It is a side of modern Israel Israel. but the future of the Middle East is that is rarely reported. dependent upon a strong and vibrant What is the state of support for Israel. What is your fondest memory of Israel amongst your parliamentary visiting Israel with CFI? colleagues and why should they Years ago, I had the great honour of support Israel? meeting Yitzhak Rabin who told me It was in Netiv Ha’asara moshav that Israel’s future depended on the listening to a farmer talk about living Support for Israel remains strong success of getting water out of the next to the border with Gaza. She was within the Party. It is pleasing to see so desert and blood out of the land. That a Londoner by birth, who emigrated many of the 2015 intake engaging and still remains the case. when she was a girl with her parents.

She married and settled in the Sinai Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP addresses CFI event only to see her thriving farm handed back to the Egyptian authorities as part of the Camp David Accords in 1978.

She resettled in Israel next to Gaza and set up a successful business, employing Palestinians. When the troubles came, bomb shelters were built. She and her family have a mere 15 seconds warning to hide from the near-daily Hamas rockets. Last Summer, their greenhouse took a direct hit, killing a worker inside. This brave lady had suffered more than most, but throughout it all had kept in touch with her former Palestinian workers, genuinely worried about their safety

@CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 15 CF delegates in the Dead Sea

Conservative Future: Israel Delegation Diary

n June 2015, 15 Conservative through thousands of years of history. impressive project with great vision, Future (CF) members visited Israel It’s striking how much integration exists and offers hope for a more peaceful Iin coordination with CFI and the within the ancient walls, with mosques, future. In the vibrant Palestinian city of Israeli Embassy. CF is the largest youth churches and synagogues sitting side Ramallah we were joined by a group political organisation in the UK, with by side. of young Palestinian business owners more than 15,000 members under 30. for some animated discussions. It was Many members go on to contest local “For me the most poignant fascinating to hear about the emerging and national elections. The trip received part of the trip was visiting Palestinian start-up sector and criticism phenomenal levels of interest with 450 Jerusalem. I had massively of corruption within the Palestinian people applying for places, and CFI underestimated the religious Authority. is developing a programme for further significance of the city to Jews, fact-finding tours. Muslims and Christians. Our After a wonderful tour of the Knesset, visit gave us an insight into why we met Col. Dany Tirza, who was CF’s Internal Communications Officer, the city is the holiest city in the appointed to oversee the construction Ellie Vesey-Thompson, reflects on her world, and of vital importance to of the security barrier. Many of us were memories of the delegation: those of all religions who share surprised to learn that a mere 5% of its space”. the barrier is actually a concrete wall – Monday 8th June 2015 Ameet Jogia, Councillor for contrary to the images seen on TV. I was The trip began with a crash course in Canons Ward in Harrow really pleased to hear that Dany hopes the history of Israel with fascinating visits that the barrier can soon be removed, to the storied Old City of Jerusalem, the and that he wants to be the person to extraordinary mountaintop fortress of Tuesday 9th June 2015 remove the first part of it. We met with Masada, and the Dead Sea. The group Israel’s tiny size was brought home as a group of young political activists from lost itself in the sights, sounds and we made the short journey from Tel Aviv across Israel’s political spectrum for a smells of Jerusalem’s bustling markets to the West Bank to visit Rawabi, the first brilliant debate over dinner, which was and religious sites as we walked Palestinian-planned city. It’s a hugely a real highlight.

16 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 and its support for international terror “The most informative part of groups, dominated our dinner with a the trip for me was our tour representative from the British Embassy. of the security fence by Col. Dany Tirza. As he explained Thursday 11th June 2015 the lengths to which he and We spent our final day in the north others had gone to protect of Israel with IDF briefings at the human rights and consider the Lebanon and Syria borders where we Church of the Holy Sepulchre views of people on the ground, learned of the country’s unenviable the need for such security strategic challenges. Seeing Hezbollah measures remained clear, flags being proudly displayed by the borders of Israel safe, really even with the injustices that it homeowners just a few short miles helped put things in perspective may partially cause”. away, and actually witnessing rocket for me as I began to see things Michael Kusznir, Chairman barrages inside Syria just across the border was an eye-opening experience through her eyes”. Conservative Future and made it very clear that the threat Catherine Hennigan, Goldman of terrorism and conflict is real and Sachs analyst Wednesday 10th June 2015 all around. Back in Tel Aviv, the group Our trip to Yad Vashem Holocaust seized the opportunity to enjoy the I am delighted that we have been able Memorial left the whole delegation very beautiful beaches, with a dip in the sea to provide members of CF with the emotional and led to a quiet journey to and a casual chat about everything we chance to visit Israel and see the reality the IDF Headquarters in Tel Aviv, where had seen and experienced over the for themselves, and I am incredibly we heard about Operation Protective week (along with a quick beer or two!). grateful to CFI. It is impossible to Edge and discussed the difficulties truly understand either side of the posed by warfare within civilian areas. At conflict without actually witnessing “As a 23-year-old, having the Peres Center for Peace we learned or experiencing it first-hand. This first the chance to stand on the of programmes bringing together Israeli CF trip proved highly successful and Lebanese border with a Jews, Israeli Arabs and Palestinians interesting to the whole group, and female IDF officer who was to promote friendships and build the I am extremely excited about giving my age, who told us about her bonds needed for a long-term peace. even more CF members this invaluable instrumental role in keeping The topic of Iran’s nuclear programme, opportunity.

CF delegates at the Knesset

@CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 17 companies, bringing in £70 million investment to the UK. A series of senior Ministers and Secretaries of State also made official visits to Israel, including Home Secretary Theresa May, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, and then Education Secretary Michael Gove, resulting in a number of bilateral agreements.

3. Record Levels of Bilateral Trade

Ties between Britain and Israel continue to flourish and bilateral trade has now reached a record £5.1 billion. With as many as 300 Israeli companies operating in the UK, Israel is now the UK’s fourth-largest individual trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa.

4. Strong Opposition to BDS

Prime Minister David Cameron addressing the Knesset Conservatives have been steadfast in their opposition to the hardline Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. At CFI’s Annual Business Conservative Party: Israel Lunch in 2014, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Unlike Labour, we in and the Jewish Community this Party oppose boycotts. And let me remind you of what I said to the uring the last Parliament (2010- always stand up for the right of Israel to Knesset: Delegitimising the State of 2015), the Conservative-led defend its citizens, a right enshrined in Israel is wrong, it is abhorrent and DGovernment consistently international law, in natural justice and together we will defeat it”. The following showed its commitment to the fundamental morality”. year, Business Secretary Sajid Javid important bilateral relationship with said: “I have no tolerance for cultural Israel, as well as support for the UK’s 2. PM David Cameron Visits Israel boycotts of Israel… Whether cultural, Jewish community. Here are their top educational or divestment, the answer ten accomplishments: Prime Minister David Cameron is the same… Boycotts are a form of demonstrated his “unbreakable” the oldest hatred in the world”. 1. Supporting Israel’s Right to Self- solidarity with Israel with a rousing Defence speech to the Israeli Knesset in March 5. A Developing Cyber Relationship 2014, on his first official visit to the Conservatives, from the Prime Minister country as Prime Minister. The PM In March 2015, Rt. Hon. down, have been steadfast in their spoke at length on a number of issues, MP, then Minister for the Cabinet Office, support for Israel’s right to defend including: Israel’s security concerns; his announced three UK-Israel academic itself in the face of attacks from terrorist abhorrence at international attempts collaboration ventures to receive joint groups. In March 2015, Prime Minister to delegitimise Israel; and his vision of cyber research funding. £1.2 million David Cameron said: “When Israel a future peace. During the visit, Prime of joint funding was pledged to fund is under attack from rockets or terror Minister Cameron signed deals with a bilateral cyber research programme tunnels – you will never be alone. I will top Israeli medical and pharmaceutical and will result in British and Israeli

18 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 academics working together on specific areas of research into the growing global cyber threat.

6. Flourishing High-Tech Partnerships

The UK-Israel Tech Hub was launched in October 2011 to promote a partnership in technology and innovation between the two countries. The Tech Hub focuses its activities in sectors where CFI Parliamentary Chairman, Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP and Home Secretary Theresa May at rally against anti-Semitism the UK and Israel have complementary strengths, including digital, biomed, funding announcements in 2015, ensure that Israelis were able to travel to cleantech, and finance. To date, these totalling £11.5 million, for protection the UK without fear of arrest for spurious activities have included sector-specific of Jewish community buildings and war crimes claims. The change in law business delegations between the UK schools which have been identified as guaranteed that the UK’s justice system and Israel, conferences, workshops potentially vulnerable. An additional could no longer be abused for political and events, as well as bespoke £1.5 million was announced to help reasons and finally wiped away a blot programmes for leading companies, fund a new Community Security Trust on the landscape of UK-Israel relations. and raising awareness of business opportunities. Mission Control Centre, which will include a closed-circuit television 9. A Promise to Remember the Holocaust 7. Resolute Against Anti-Semitism command and control, and the ability to respond rapidly to those who need In 2015, the Prime Minister’s Holocaust Conservatives have taken a strong help. This follows the £2 million per Commission reported its findings stance against anti-Semitism, vowing annum already provided for security at which were accepted in full. The not to turn a blind eye to the threats Jewish state schools. recommendations stated that Britain the UK’s Jewish community face. In should have a striking and prominent March 2015, Prime Minister David 8. Amending Universal Jurisdiction new National Memorial to the Holocaust Cameron pledged: “We are going to Law and a world-class Learning Centre fight anti-Semitism with everything we at the heart of a campus driving a have got. There will be no excuses. Just one year after taking office, the network of national educational activity. No exceptions. No justifications”. The Conservative-led Government changed Alongside this, there will be an urgent Government made a series of new the UK’s Universal Jurisdiction law to programme to record and preserve the testimony of British Holocaust survivors and liberators, and the establishment of an endowment fund to secure the long- term future of Holocaust Education in the .

10. 90+ Conservatives Participate in CFI Delegations

In the last Parliament, CFI took over 90 Conservatives, from across the Party, on delegations to Israel and the Palestinian Territories, a testament to the commitment shown by the Party to Prime Minister David Cameron and Prime Minister understanding the complexities of the Benjamin Netanyahu at 10 Downing Street region.

@CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 19 spearheading the battle against Ebola. Partnering with the office of the First Lady of Sierra Leone and the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, we are helping lead a National Taskforce aimed at integrating psychosocial support into the health system by training health workers, social workers, security forces, service providers, and the general population. In 2014 and 2015, IsraAID will send over 30 experts in PTSD prevention and stress IsraAID on the front line of Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone management to West Africa.

These Israeli professionals will conduct IsraAID: Fighting Ebola intensive training for local social workers, health workers, and other service Shachar Zahavi In Sierra Leone, the Ebola crisis has had providers to equip them with practical Founding Director, IsraAID massive and devastating consequences, tools in stress management and trauma with over 10,000 suspected to have been prevention techniques. The programme sraAID is an Israeli NGO that provides infected and more than 3,000 dead. is based on IsraAID’s world-renowned life-saving relief and long-term support And even as the disease’s devastating holistic approach developed and Ito countries following natural or man- made disasters. Since our inception in Since its inception, the State of Israel has 2001 we have been providing assistance in 27 countries around the world and stood proudly as a beacon of humanitarian become synonymous with effective, rapid endeavours. response to humanitarian crises. Working hand in hand with local governments and physical effects decrease, widespread implemented after disasters in Haiti, communities, we specialise in sending stress and trauma in the affected Japan, South Sudan, Jordan, and other necessary equipment, professional countries is only beginning to surface. countries around the world. teams of medical personnel, search and rescue teams, post-trauma experts and One of the fundamental challenges of the Since its inception, the State of Israel community mobilisers, to help affected Ebola outbreak is the stigmatisation of has stood proudly as a beacon of communities to recover and move the disease, and the discrimination faced humanitarian endeavours. Driven by from destruction to reconstruction, and by the families of victims and survivors a profound and genuine humanitarian eventually, sustainable living. themselves. Families of infected patients conscience, Israel’s international aid have been completely isolated by their programmes have benefited millions Following the initial emergency period, communities, and some have even across the world and we at IsraAID are IsraAID will shift to long-term programmes, resorted to violence. The Ebola outbreak proud of the part that we play in this accompanying communities and is putting enormous strain on the general important task. governments as they strive to build a population, as fear and stress are better tomorrow. We offer long-term fomenting unrest and mistrust. Long-term risks of PTSD and secondary trauma for If you want to take sides… training and support programmes using Israel’s unique know-how in the fields of health workers are also becoming serious psychosocial support, education, health, concerns as the disease continues to agriculture and food security, and WASH spread across West Africa. (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene). Today, try Forman’s we conduct ongoing programmes in IsraAID’s psychosocial programme is

much of Africa, Japan, South Korea, the designed to provide concrete tools and IsraAID search and rescue team in Nepal Philippines, Haiti, Iraq, and Jordan. coping mechanisms for those individuals formans.co.uk 20 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016

hfs_cfi_ad_168x240v2.indd 1 01/09/2014 16:47 formans.co.uk If you want to take sides… try Forman’s

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hfs_cfi_ad_168x240v2.indd 1 01/09/2014 16:47 formans.co.uk Israel: A Democratic Beacon

Mike Freer MP the integration of Arab citizens of the Middle East’s first openly gay Finchley & Golders Green Israel, but, as the OECD notes, the parliamentarian in 2002, Uzi Even, who employment rate amongst Israeli also successfully fought for the rights ne of the Arabs is improving and school class of LGBT people to serve openly in the tests of any sizes are reducing. As more Israeli military. O advanced Arabs are elected to the Knesset, the democracy is how situation can only improve. In a region where women are forced representative it is to wear the niqab, or banned from of its people. In the The Jewish MKs are no less diverse. driving cars, Israel enshrines women’s modern world, this The diverse backgrounds and beliefs equality. My predecessor in Finchley, test becomes all the more important as of Israeli Jews are represented in the , was of course our only female premier. Israel, however, countries diversify and move towards Knesset with the Orthodox Judaism of strong inclusive societies where the rights and beliefs of minorities are Israel is a vibrant, boisterous democracy; recognised, protected and celebrated. as any visitor to the Knesset can testify.

The Middle East isn’t a region that UTJ (United Torah Judaism) and the had already elected its very own Iron springs to mind as a beacon for more liberal religious beliefs of Meretz, Lady as Prime Minister in 1969 making democracy and equality. One country with many more between. Linguistic Golda Meir the world’s fourth woman to is the exception - Israel. Israel is a differences are also reflected, with hold the highest office of any country. vibrant, boisterous democracy; as Yisrael Beiteinu drawing much of The Israeli Parliament leads the way on any visitor to the Knesset can testify. A their support from the many Russian the advancement of women’s rights, country that is not just proudly a Jewish speakers in Israel. too. In the Knesset, 23% of MKs are State, but a country proud to welcome, women, which is around the same support and celebrate diversity. The varied nature of Israel’s political as in the UK. It is often forgotten that parties reflects the multiplicity of women are a greater percentage of the In Israel you will find churches, political views held by all Israelis. workforce in Israel than in the UK, USA, mosques, and synagogues, jostling the Netherlands and Germany. In a region that sees gay men thrown side by side. Look at any of Israel’s off the top of buildings and stoned, Israel’s complex ethnic and religious neighbours and see if that coexistence Israel hosts one of the world’s largest composition is reflected in the diversity is replicated. Gay Pride events in Tel Aviv. Each of its politics. It is for this very reason Key to Israel’s claim to be the Middle year, about 100,000 people from that Israel is rightly held up as a East’s strongest democracy is its Israel and around the world, celebrate beacon of democracy in one of the advancement of ethnic minority equality and diversity. Israel elected world’s most troubled regions. representation. While the UK struggles to ensure we have black, Indian, Gay Pride in Tel Aviv Muslim and Hindu MPs - the Knesset has Jewish, Arab, Muslim, Christian and Druze representation. Arabs make up around 1.7 million of Israel’s eight million citizens and hold 14% of seats in the Knesset. Arab citizens of Israel enjoy more political rights than their neighbours in Arab countries. Of course, challenges remain on

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HB06785_Daniel Dover.indd 13 06/10/2014 14:59:16 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the UK

he strength of the UK-Israel in cyber security. And I think that if relationship was highlighted we pool our resources together we T once again in September can offer a better future and great 2015 when Israel’s Prime Minister prosperity”. Benjamin Netanyahu made a high- profile visit to London. CFI were delighted to host a special cross-party parliamentary briefing During his visit, PM Netanyahu was with PM Netanyahu, attended by welcomed to 10 Downing Street by 35 Conservative parliamentarians Conservative Prime Minister David and chaired by CFI’s Parliamentary Cameron. The two leaders spoke at Chairman, Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP. Prime Minister David Cameron welcomes Prime length about the record bilateral trade Sir Eric said: “As the elected leader of Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to 10 Downing Street between the countries, as well as the the only functioning democracy in the threat of Islamist extremism, and the Thanking the parliamentarians for Middle East, it is only right and proper challenges posed by Iran’s nuclear their continued support of Israel, he that we celebrate our two nations’ programme. said: “I thank you for the constancy shared values – liberty, democracy of your friendship sometimes under and the rule of law”. PM Cameron asserted: “Britain difficult travails”. He also spoke remains staunch in our defence of of the “remarkable bond between Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s right to exist and right to Zionism and Britain… So many of our his commitment to restarting peace defend itself”. traditions are linked and so much of negotiations with the Palestinians: our history intertwined”. Israel’s Prime Minister spoke of the “I’m willing right now, without any deep ties the two countries share in preconditions, any preconditions The Israeli Prime Minister’s visit to the the field of technology, observing: whatsoever, to sit down with President UK follows the great success of Mr “The future belongs to those who Abbas and negotiate this peace. Cameron’s landmark visit to Israel in innovate. Britain and Israel are two I’m willing to go to Ramallah… March 2014 where he gave a much- great centres of technology. Israel is Anytime. Anywhere. Now. Without celebrated speech to the Knesset in a global hub of innovation, especially preconditions”. Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses parliamentarians

24 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 Brecher Connect

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4th Floor, 64 North Row, London W1K 7DA www.brecher.co.uk +44 20 7563 1000 25 @CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 25 UN and the NUS: The Israel Obsession

Sedef Akademir of the healthy and thriving democracy bias was epitomised most tragically Research & Events that Israel possesses. by the National Union of Students (NUS), who in June 2015 opted to Officer, CFI However, it is equally bewildering embrace Boycotts, Divestment and to see the same process play out n recent years, Sanctions (BDS) against Israel, but repeatedly: in which a democratic, many Israelis have simultaneously rejected a motion to tolerant state faces a series of increasingly come condemn ISIS. I unabashed judgments from nations at to the conclusion the UN with the most abysmal human It is both necessary and important to that the world is rights records. Among nations to vote highlight these absurdities for what they unfairly hostile to in favour of the WHO’s anti-Israel are and amplify our voices in support Israel, no matter what it does. One The UN and its many bodies have a long need only look at the UN’s voting track record in targeting the Jewish State to history of singling out Israel more than any other understand the reasoning behind this country in the world. sentiment. resolution in May 2015 included Saudi of Israel. We must also continue to shine a light on the phenomenal work The UN and its many bodies have a Arabia, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Brunei, that Israelis do in so many areas, from long history of singling out Israel more Russia, and Qatar. tech innovation to global humanitarian than any other country in the world. This irony of this is apparently lost on aid, and advancements in medical UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon officials from these countries, the UN, research; reminding the public, as well himself has admitted that a prevalent and much of the world’s media. These as BDS activists, that this is the true anti-Israel bias exists within the regimes are rarely condemned by the face of Israel. organisation. UNHRC and need not worry about UN resolutions. For our part, CFI is continuing to Take 2014, when the UN General work with Conservative MPs and the Assembly adopted 20 resolutions The same distortion was reflected Government to counter all attempts singling out Israel for criticism and during last summer’s Operation to delegitimise Israel, and build on the only three resolutions on the rest of Protective Edge conflict in Gaza, existing ties between Israel and Britain. the world combined. In May 2015, which received near to 24/7 back-to- the United Nations World Health back coverage across British news Organisation (WHO) passed a channels for 50 days – yet we have resolution that isolated Israel as the seen nowhere near the same level of chief violator of health rights in the intensity in focus towards the Yemeni world. More recently, in July 2015, the civil war, or even the civil war in Libya. UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) voted to adopt a one-sided resolution And where, for example, was the on last year’s Operation Protective global outcry when Egypt’s military this Edge conflict, which failed to include year demolished over 2,000 houses any mention of Hamas or its central in Rafah for the creation of a buffer role in the conflict. between the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip? If Israel had taken the Israel, like any other country, should same measures, the response would not be exempt from criticism. Indeed, have been all too predictable. much of the harshest criticism comes UN Headquarters in New York from within the country itself - evidence The stupidity of virulent anti-Israel

26 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 “Are pleased to support CFI”

27 @CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 27 Palestinian Authority Incitement

Guto Bebb MP, John take action as the PA has taken British of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, an silence as a green light to maintain internationally proscribed terror group. Howell OBE MP, these counterproductive practices. There can be no justification for the Andrew Percy MP promotion of such hate and violence. Vice-Chairmen, CFI Palestinian incitement takes many forms, ranging from the denial of Furthermore, the PA continues to ohn F. Kennedy once said: “Peace Israel’s right to exist and depiction of all actively reward terrorism by paying does not rest in the charters and of modern Israel as part of a Palestinian monthly salaries to Palestinian prisoners Jcovenants alone. It lies in the state, to the glorification of notorious convicted of terror offences - paying hearts and minds of all people”. As MPs Palestinian terrorists, and even the an estimated £90 million annually to with an interest in the Middle East, we practice of paying monthly salaries to convicted terrorists. These monthly optimistically look forward to the day convicted terrorists in Israeli jails. salaries are paid to around 5,500 when Israel and the Palestinians reach a convicted terrorists, ranging from £230 peace agreement with one another. But While PA officials readily speak to as much as £2,000 for those serving we must not forget Kennedy’s important to Western audiences of their a 30-year sentence. words. determination to reach an agreement with Israel, a different message is Contradicting its assurances to the For too long now, the Palestinian presented to their domestic audience international community, internally Authority (PA) has allowed incitement and little attempt is made to educate the PA is shameless about its part in and hate education to continue Palestinian society towards peace and rewarding acts of terrorism. During unchecked in the Territories. Concerned coexistence with Israel. a 2013 rally in honour of released MPs have written about this issue terrorists, held under the auspices of and debated it in the Commons over The examples are vast and far-ranging, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, then the course of the last Parliament. We from young children reciting poems on PA Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs Issa have urged the British Government to PA TV that brand Jews as “barbaric Karake, mocked European donors for monkeys” and the “most evil among not wanting to fund terrorists’ salaries: creations”, to official PA celebration of “The Europeans want their money that terrorists like Dalal Mughrabi who led comes to us to remain clean - not to the 1978 bus hijacking attack, in which go to families of those they claim to be The PA is shameless about its part in rewarding acts of terrorism.

38 Israeli civilians, including 13 children, terrorists. They need to renounce this were killed. Earlier this year, the PA occupation mentality. These [prisoners] celebrated the anniversary of this terror are heroes, self-sacrificing fighters, and attack by dedicating a monument in a fighters who fought so that we could live Ramallah square to Mughrabi. Youth in dignity”. football tournaments, sponsored by the PA, have even been named in ‘honour’ Britain is on target to give £343 million of terrorists. in aid to the PA between 2011 and 2015 and the UK contributes £30 million each On a visit to Bethlehem in the West Bank year into the PA’s so-called general during the 2015 Summer Recess, we budget. Only since March 2013, has the were appalled to discover that posters UK ensured that money donated to the Bethlehem poster in memory of Palestinian terrorist Mahmood Awad around the city proudly displayed a PA’s general budget goes via the World heavily armed young Palestinian ‘martyr’ Bank and into a special bank account

28 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 Celebrations at a Ramallah square for terrorist Dalal Mughrabi a free pass in this matter, with little to no consideration given to the long-term damage it is doing to the prospects of a lasting peace.

Now is the time for clarity in our policy towards this sort of activity. Each incident of incitement must be condemned unequivocally and DfID aid and funding should be conditioned on the willingness of the PA to crack down on incitement.

The Canadian Government has led the way by stopping all donations to the PA’s fungible general budget and instead targeting donations to specific projects where funds cannot Aid and funding should be conditioned be misappropriated. The UK should on the willingness of the PA to crack down on consider following suit and adapting incitement. policy to demonstrate to the PA that this sort of activity will not be accepted. that is used to pay the salaries of Prime Minister David Cameron has As one of the largest contributors of specific PA civil servants. Nonetheless, been clear in all of his speeches on aid to the PA, the UK stands to wield by providing money for the PA to spend the Middle East Peace Process that significant leverage here. on these salaries, we are effectively Palestinian incitement will not be freeing up funds for the PA to spend as tolerated. However, Government policy The UK has a vested interest it sees fit, and, regrettably, this includes remains confused, inexplicably flip- in promoting peace among the salaries to convicted terrorists. flopping between outright denials that Palestinian population since no peace the problem exists, or claiming it isn’t agreement will be able to guarantee The dedication of monuments and widespread, and on occasion even peace in the medium- to long-term if a the paying of salaries as a reward to admitting there is an issue but stating generation of Palestinians are growing these despicable people should not be there is very little that can be done about up indoctrinated to hate Israel and the tolerated by Western governments and it. For too long the PA have been given Jewish people. aid donors.

Children’s poetry on the official PA TV channel Of course there are problems with extremism on both sides of the debate. The July 2015 arson attack on two homes in the Palestinian village of Duma by religious Jewish extremists that killed an 18-month-old Palestinian infant and his parents served to underline this point. We welcomed, however, the robust condemnation of this abhorrent terror attack by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the Israeli Government. A strong response of this kind should be an expectation not an optional extra.

@CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 29 Prime Minister David Cameron and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at UK-Israel Tech Hub event in Jerusalem

The UK and Israel: A Match Made in Heaven

Jon Medved According to a recent report, however, From the Prime Minister down, the UK one spouse is beginning to look a lot Government is committed to a stronger CEO and Founder, more like the other. Indeed, Israel is research and innovation partnership OurCrowd becoming an increasingly important with Israel. This is why 2014 was a s modern science has recently financial player, having moved up 11 record year for trade between the borne out, old married couples places last year to 21st on the list of two countries. According to the UK A really do begin to look like global financial centres. While banking Government, British exports to Israel each other over time. And while UK- giants Citigroup and Barclays have have grown steadily. Israel is the UK’s Israel relations tell a story of a steadfast been operating in Israel for a while, fourth-largest market in the Middle East although occasionally testy marriage, they have recently taken the initiative to and North Africa region. certain recent trends in commerce capitalise on the environment in which between the countries shows that there they find themselves. In short, banks, At the same time, and perhaps because is a macroeconomic analogue to this including British ones, are making of this increase in UK financial activity in human phenomenon. ‘Aliyah’ to embrace innovation. Israel, Tel Aviv is turning to London as the gateway to Europe and the rest of the Each country’s comparative advantage Citigroup, for example, has followed the world. This is, of course, unsurprising. is clear. In traditional finance, London lead of New York and London’s fintech According to London and Partners, is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned innovation labs by establishing its own 40% of the world’s top companies with, sitting in a consistent neck and accelerator programme in Tel Aviv. with a regional or global HQ in Europe neck battle with New York for the coveted title of the world’s top financial From the Prime Minister down, the UK capital. When it comes to innovation Government is committed to a stronger research and entrepreneurship, on the other hand, the eyes of the world are on and innovation partnership with Israel. Tel Aviv. The synergy of its buzzing atmosphere and entrepreneurial culture Barclays has also developed an in- are in London. As an international is the creative energy which feeds the house R&D centre in Tel Aviv, attracting trading city with a high concentration city’s unparalleled early stage innovative some of the sharpest minds to pioneer of headquarters and corporate ecosystem. the upcoming technologies. functions, all in close proximity, London

30 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 is the perfect environment for global platform, this one relies on its promise Israel to identify and invest in the next businesses. Add into the mix the fact of generating returns on investment that wave of transformative companies with that London was voted the ‘world’s exceed traditional investment vehicles. potentially sizeable returns. most influential city’ by Forbes, ranked the ‘leading city of opportunity’ by PwC, And while not every investment in To facilitate the rational deployment of and recorded more incoming foreign crowdfunding will result in a return crowdfunding capital in Israel, certain direct investment (FDI) projects than on investment (ROI) equivalent to companies have come to the fore. any other European city in 2014. investing in Facebook before it became OurCrowd, a company with offices in a $200 billion public company, the Jerusalem, New York and Sydney, with This has all resulted in a renewal of platform certainly does provide ground a UK office in the works, has grown a commercial vows, of sorts, between the floor investment opportunities that community of 10,000 investors from 110 countries. Indeed, exports from Israel to traditionally have only, unfairly, been countries in order to take advantage of the UK increased by 4.8% last year while within the purview of a select few: large the fertile tech space in Israel. In fact, exports flowing in the other direction companies, institutional investors and 70% of OurCrowd’s portfolio companies increased by a whopping 12.9%. extremely high-net-worth investors. are based in Israel, including almost a The coupling of British investment and The UK, forever a pioneer in the dozen U.S. companies. Israeli technology provides an important finance sector, has wasted no time in synergistic boost to both countries embracing the platform. For example, OurCrowd is now also targeting dealflow in the UK. Its last UK investment was The UK and Israel make for excellent partners in a company called Borro, a lending platform for clients who invest in or in research and innovation, business and trade. facilitate the trade of luxury assets. As of February 2015, it was the largest in the increasingly fierce international the crowdfunding market in the UK has equity crowdfunding round in history. commercial and trade arenas. It also now become the second-largest after OurCrowd’s Israeli investments are bolsters each country’s bid for global that of the U.S. According to Forbes, also making waves in the UK. Already influence and recognition, both of which Europe’s alternative finance sector providing their augmented reality are integral to their respective economic grew by 144% last year, but remains technology to Littlewoods, the Israeli successes. completely dominated by the UK. startup Cimagine recently announced their new partnership with the UK’s And it is not just the institutional financial Following the lead of Citibank and leading retailer, John Lewis. Together, powerhouses that are looking to Tel Barclays in the traditional financial they have created a virtual showroom Aviv. Consider the curious case of sector, crowdfunding investors from in John Lewis’s flagship Street crowdfunding. As with any investment the UK and the U.S. are now turning to store.

The UK and Israel make for excellent partners in research and innovation, business and trade – and though the U.S. is considered Israel’s greatest ally, Israel is increasingly looking to work with London’s young and energetic tech industry as opposed to Silicon Valley.

As outgoing Israeli Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Daniel Taub, recently said: “It has been a good feeling to know that relations between the two nations are probably as good and as strong as they have ever been”. Jon Medved, Israeli venture capitalist Mazel Tov, and may the marriage last!

@CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 31 The Children of Operation Protective Edge - One Year On Einat Shazar Hamas fired a rocket, a warning siren whether children were even in a state Projects Manager, CFI and three loud rocket sounds were of trauma or post-trauma. Some of the heard in the Kibbutz – a painful daily effects at this stage included children routine. he ways who went back to sleeping with their in which parents in bed, or even leaving their My cousin has told me that every children shower door open so that they could T time this occurred her three-year-old react to war, and hear potential rocket warning sirens daughter, Gefen, would run to the safe the length of and make an immediate escape. room and cover her ears. To this day time in which the she remains extremely sensitive to any traumatic effects One year on, 40% of children in Sderot, noise, including a knock on the door. A stay with them, the Israeli city closest to the Gaza few months after the war, her six-year- go unnoticed all too often. It has been border (also known as ‘the bomb old brother, Maayan, began asking extremely hard for children on both shelter capital of the world’), suffer questions about Gaza and terrorists. sides of the Israel-Gaza border, on from some form of fear, anxiety or post- He developed fears (especially before differing levels, as a consequence of traumatic stress disorder. During a visit bedtime) imagining that rockets would Hamas’s continuing attacks on Israel. to Sderot on a CFI delegation, I was blast through his window, or that a However, I hope to shed some specific deeply struck to discover that children terrorist would enter their house at who suffered trauma throughout their insight into the traumas experienced night. by Israeli children during Operation formative years are now turning 18 Protective Edge, six months after, and Six months later, records show that and beginning their military service – finally, one year on. 1,000 Israeli children were admitted a concept and reality which is acutely to therapy. Unfortunately, many more fear-provoking for them, and therefore My family live in Kibbutz Be’eri which is have been deprived of the chance due exceptionally challenging to deal with. a mere 3 miles from Gaza. IDF bases to a lack of therapists, while other cases Therapists have detailed how some were situated close by, and whenever Hamas fired rockets, Israel’s Iron Dome The impact of the constant barrage of Hamas missile defence system would fire an interceptive rocket. Simultaneously, rockets on children is far deeper than meets the eye. the IDF would respond with artillery to target the specific location the rocket go unreported. Therapists have pointed children have developed new fears, came from. This meant that each time out that at times it was unknown insomnia, and behavioural problems at school. Young adults have also Israeli nursery children during been found to be wetting their beds Hamas rocket attack or speaking like a toddler, whereas some teenagers can become more aggressive.

The impact of the constant barrage of Hamas rockets on children is far deeper than meets the eye. It is heartbreaking to learn of such realities which children face under these unique circumstances.

32 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 The IDF: Israel’s Melting Pot

Tanyah Murkes intertwined in the small geographical swear fealty to the State of Israel on a Israel Liaison, CFI space that is Israel. copy of the Quran or the New Testament instead of the standard Hebrew Bible. s anyone While there is indeed much more that who has Israel can do to be a more inclusive Muslim and Christian Arab Israelis are A been to society, Arab citizens - who constitute not required to serve in the IDF, but there Israel can attest, more than one-sixth of Israel’s are many who volunteer. In 2013, there seeing soldiers population - still see their future in Israel. were over 200 Muslims serving in the from the Israel Defense Forces Arab and Jewish children playing together in (IDF) walk around the city or sit in a their neighbourhood is a sight rarely portrayed coffee shop isn’t an unusual sight. On the contrary, in a country where national in the media. or military service is obligatory for most of its citizens, IDF soldiers are just part A poll conducted in 2014 by Statnet IDF and over 300 in the reserves, as well of our daily scenery. research institute, headed by Israeli as 140 Christian Arabs. In 2012, 4,000 Arab Yousef Makladeh, shows that the Druze Israelis served in the IDF with So much so that when I boarded the vast majority of Arabs living in Israel, as close to 10,000 soldiers in the reserves. train and took my seat next to a bunch well as in the West Bank, would rather A growing number of Bedouin are of soldiers I didn’t give them a second live in Israel than in a future Palestinian also enlisting, with over 1,400 Bedouin look. It was only when they started state – 77%. Muslim soldiers serving in 2012 and an speaking amongst themselves and additional 1,500 in the reserves. got ready to depart the train that I got Since its establishment, the IDF has curious. The soldiers were speaking in been dubbed ‘the melting pot of It is undeniable that many of these Arabic to each other and Hebrew with Israeli society’. It enables people from individuals identify deeply with the State other soldiers in the seats behind us. different segments of society to interact and enlist out of a duty to defend their As they left the train they wished each regardless of their background. It may homeland. In times characterised by other Shabbat Shalom (a peaceful surprise some, but non-Jews from turmoil within society and in the region, Sabbath), and the Arabic-speaking Israel’s Muslim, Druze, and Christian these practical and daily signs of soldiers wished their friends behind us communities serve in the IDF alongside coexistence offer a cautious beacon of a meaningful fast – it was Tisha B’av, their Jewish peers. These soldiers light and optimism. the fast that marks the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Arab IDF soldiers celebrating Christmas Jerusalem. It was a unique reminder that Jews and Arabs can not only coexist, but are integrated in each other’s lives in Israel.

Arab and Jewish children playing together in their neighbourhood is a sight rarely portrayed in the media. Jewish weddings where the guests of honour are a Muslim family who helped the bride’s grandmother don’t make it on the evening news. Jews and Arabs often work together and our lives are

@CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 33 CFI’s Calendar: 2014-2015

September 2014 October 2014 November 2014

Home Secretary Theresa May addresses CFI Annual Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond addresses CFI’s Oliver Dowden MP at the Western Wall Parliamentary Reception Conservative Party Conference Reception

CFI Annual Parliamentary Reception CFI’s Conservative Party Conference Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden and CFI with Home Secretary Theresa May, Reception with Foreign Secretary join then Cabinet Office Minister, Rt. attended by 250 CFI members and 50 Philip Hammond and Ambassador of Hon. Francis Maude MP, on a cyber parliamentarians Israel, H.E. Daniel Taub, attended by security-orientated delegation to Israel over 400 delegates Matthew Offord MP raises concerns to CFI attends Jewish Care Breakfast Prime Minister David Cameron about CFI exhibition stand at Conservative with MPs and former Foreign Secretary anti-Israel boycotts and the rise in anti- Party Conference a hub of activity, with at Mansion House Semitic incidents in UK over 130 new members signing up Numerous Conservative MPs Mike Weatherley MP writes letter Parliamentary Briefing with Avi Hasson, express concern about Iran’s nuclear to Prime Minister David Cameron Israel’s Chief Scientist programme in House of Commons highlighting problem of anti-Semitism in his constituency of Hove

March 2015 April 2015 May 2015

Stuart Polak receives his CBE award from CFI breakout session at We Believe in Israel 2015 CFI campaigning with Guto Bebb MP in Aberconwy HRH The Prince of Wales

CFI coordinate breakout session at Team CFI spend two weeks CFI Director Stuart Polak receives CBE We Believe in Israel 2015 with Bob campaigning in eight constituencies for political services to Conservative Blackman MP, Mike Freer MP and across the UK, including Aberconwy Friends of Israel Matthew Offord MP, and Conservative in North Wales, Brigg & Goole in Team CFI spend final week of General Chief Whip Michael Gove gives Yorkshire, and Halesowen & Rowley Election campaign canvassing and keynote speech to plenary session Regis in the West Midlands leafleting in five constituencies across Lord David Trimble joins CFI for The Daily Express publishes article on London and annual AIPAC Policy Conference in the Palestinian Authority’s payment Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP announced Washington D.C. of salaries to convicted Palestinian as CFI’s new Parliamentary Chairman CFI Action Days in Hampstead & terrorists, featuring a statement from and a new team of 11 Parliamentary Kilburn with Simon Marcus and CFI’s Vice-Chairmen Guto Bebb MP Officers is formed and Andrew Percy MP, as well as Hendon with Matthew Offord Parliamentary Briefing with Brigadier James Morris MP BICOM Israel Election Night party, General (Res.) Michael Herzog on cosponsored by CFI, attended by five Southampton University withdraws Iran’s nuclear programme Conservative MPs support for controversial anti-Israel conference following criticism from former Treasury Minister Mark Hoban MP and Caroline Nokes MP

34 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 December 2014 January 2015 February 2015

Prime Minister David Cameron addresses Rt. Hon. Robert Halfon MP in the House of Commons CFI activists campaigning with Bob Blackman MP CFI Annual Business Lunch

CFI Annual Business Lunch with Prime Conservative MPs raise concerns to CFI Action Day in Harrow East and Minister David Cameron attended by Home Secretary Theresa May about Harrow West for Hannah David and over 150 Conservative MPs and Peers, increasing anti-Semitism, including Rt. Bob Blackman including 13 Cabinet members, and Hon. Robert Halfon MP, Bob Blackman Parliamentary Briefing on Israel’s 600 businesspeople MP, and Matthew Offord MP General Election with Yossi Shain, Seven Conservative MPs participate James Clappison MP, then CFI Professor of Political Science at Tel Aviv in Westminster Hall debate to express Parliamentary Chairman, leads University and Georgetown University concern at anti-Semitism in UK Westminster Hall debate to mark Conservative MPs contribute to cross- Conservative MEP Charles Tannock Holocaust Memorial Day party report into anti-Semitism in the condemns EU court decision to Conservative Peers voice opposition UK, including Rt. Hon. Alistair Burt MP remove Hamas from list of proscribed to Palestinian unilateralism in House of and Graham Brady MP terror organisations Lords debate

June 2015 July 2015 August 2015

Conservative Future Delegation at the Knesset CFI Delegation with Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin CFI Delegation with Ambassador David Quarrey

CFI coordinate a Delegation for 15 CFI’s Parliamentary Chairman, Rt. Israel Delegation for nine newly elected Conservative Future members to Israel Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP, leads CFI’s Conservative MPs Parliamentary Briefing with Israel’s Vice Parliamentary Officers on a high-profile National Union of Teachers withdraw Prime Minister Silvan Shalom attended parliamentary Delegation to Israel controversial anti-Israel education by 50 parliamentarians and key CFI CFI hold a farewell lunch for departing pack following criticism by CFI’s supporters Ambassador of Israel, H.E. Daniel Parliamentary Chairman and Vice- Parliamentary Lunch with Ambassador Taub, attended by over 85 MPs, Peers Chairmen of Israel, H.E. Daniel Taub, with 35 and key supporters CFI Vice-Chairman, John Howell Conservative MPs, including 17 newly Iran-P5+1 nuclear deal condemned OBE MP, writes letter to Amnesty elected Conservative MPs by more than 10 Conservative MPs, International condemning tweets CFI Vice-Chairman Guto Bebb MP including former Defence Secretary, inciting against Israel leads Westminster Hall debate Rt. Hon. Dr. MP Media coverage of CFI activities in criticising emerging nuclear deal with , , Daily Iran, featuring contributions from more Express, ConservativeHome, the than 15 Conservative MPs Jewish Chronicle and Jewish News

@CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 35 HRH Prince Charles presents Stuart Polak with his award

Congratulations, Stuart!

he CFI Directors, Executive Over 25 years, Stuart has coordinated and are no longer with us - my friends Board and Professional Team and led more than 150 CFI delegations and mentors, Cyril Stein, Leonard T would like to congratulate of politicians to Israel and through Steinberg and David Lewis. These our Honorary President Stuart Polak this he has developed extensive honours recognise the work of CFI on receiving his CBE award and his relationships with MPs, Peers, MEPs and it has been a privilege working elevation to the House of Lords. and advisers throughout all levels of with our terrific Executive Board and, the Conservative Party. in particular, the small but dedicated Stuart, who has led CFI for 25 years, Professional Team”. was awarded the CBE for political Stuart’s notable achievements are a services to Conservative Friends of culmination of the work he has done, Congratulations, Stuart! Israel. The award was presented by over many years, in both strengthening His Royal Highness Prince Charles and developing the Anglo-Israel in a formal ceremony at Buckingham relationship. They are also recognition Palace, in May 2015. Just four months of the significance and success of CFI later, it was announced that Stuart as an organisation. The whole team would also be appointed to the House at CFI celebrate these richly deserved of Lords as a Conservative Peer in the accomplishments. Autumn of 2015. Stuart has paid tribute to the support Born in 1961 in Liverpool where he of his family, his colleagues and his grew up and was educated, Stuart mentors: “On receiving the news, I began his career working for the Board thought about the many people in of Deputies of British Jews in 1984 as the political and communal world Education Director. In 1989, he was that helped me over the years. But appointed as only the second Director specifically, three giants in UK-Israel Stuart Polak with his CBE award of Conservative Friends of Israel. relations who taught me so much

36 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2015/2016 We say yes...

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