CFI Informed 2020 FINAL October
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2020/2021 Featuring: Message from the Prime Minister Salam, Shalom: A New Dawn in the Middle East? Spotlight on New MPs 1 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2020/2021 INTRODUCING Parliamentary Group Editor: Sedef Akademir, CFI Chairman (Commons): Rt. Hon. Stephen Crabb MP Front Cover Image: Alamy Chairman (Lords): Rt. Hon. The Lord Pickles Vice-Chairmen: John Howell OBE MP Andrew Percy MP Conservative Friends of Israel Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers MP CFI Ltd, PO Box 72288, London, SW1P 9LB Officers: T: 020 7262 2493 Baroness Altmann CBE E: [email protected] Siobhan Baillie MP W: www.cfoi.co.uk Bob Blackman MP Andrew Bowie MP @CFoI Rt. Hon. Karen Bradley MP Conservative Friends of Israel Peter Gibson MP CFI Youtube Robert Largan MP cfi_uk Damien Moore MP Matthew Offord MP © Conservative Friends of Israel Ltd, Nicola Richards MP Company no. 8114952 Mary Robinson MP Registered Office: Lord Shinkwin C/O Blick Rothenberg, Craig Tracey MP 7-10 Chandos Street, London, W1G 9DQ Rt. Hon. Lord Trimble Christian Wakeford MP Craig Williams MP Directors of CFI Ltd Honorary President: Lord Polak CBE Chairman: Andrew Heller Deputy Chairman: Hilda Worth Treasurer: Stephen Massey Professional Team Executive Director: James Gurd Parliamentary Manager: Elkie Clark Projects Manager: Natalie Jacobs Communications Manager: Sedef Akademir Head of Israel Office: Ellen Steel 2 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2020/20212020/2021 WELCOME Welcome to a new, and Lord Polak CBE Andrew Heller James Gurd slightly different edition of CFI Honorary CFI Chairman CFI Executive President Director CFI’s Informed magazine. 2020 has been a year like no other. The unprecedented was a transformational moment. The region has been events of this year have touched us all and we would like transforming before our eyes in recent years and the to send our warmest wishes to all of you at this difficult moving images from the lawn of the White House as time. Israel signed peace deals with the UAE and Bahrain sent a powerful message throughout the Arab world that Following the excitement of a landmark election with vision and courage a better future is within reach. victory for Boris Johnson and the decisive rejection of Corbynism in December, 2020 started on a high for CFI Closer to home, in April we joined together remotely with exciting events in Parliament. After holding our with our parliamentary friends to celebrate the 70th biggest Annual Parliamentary Reception yet in January, anniversary of UK-Israel relations. The occasion provided we were delighted in February to be joined by 40 of the a timely opportunity to reflect how far the relationship newly elected Conservative MPs for a special lunch with has come and the exciting opportunities on the horizon Israel’s Ambassador. following the UK’s departure from the European Union. From record trade and tourism to science and security It has been a pleasure getting to know so many of the cooperation, the UK-Israel relationship has never new intake MPs; many from seats that have turned blue been better and in Boris Johnson Israel has a deeply for the first time. Ahead of the election we were joined committed and outstanding friend. in Israel by as many as ten Conservative parliamentary candidates from target seats who now sit on the green We’d like to thank our brilliant Professional Team at benches, and the waiting list grows by the week for new CFI for doing such a tremendous job in challenging MPs wishing to visit Israel when it is safe to travel again. circumstances to ensure Israel’s case was still heard by We would like to congratulate the 107 new Conservative parliamentarians and that you, our supporters, were up parliamentarians and we look forward to working closely to date on all things Israel. We’d also like to thank our with you for years to come. parliamentary supporters, and in particular our new Parliamentary Officer group, led by our Parliamentary Despite the many challenges we have all endured in Chairmen Rt. Hon. Stephen Crabb MP and Rt. Hon. The 2020, we are pleased with how the CFI organisation has Lord Pickles. risen to it. Throughout, Conservative parliamentarians in both houses continued to raise important issues, We’d also like to reiterate how deeply grateful we are to including Iran’s nuclear programme and UK-Israel all of our supporters for your continued support, which is cooperation in the fight against Covid-19. We so invaluable to our work. were delighted to host dozens of Conservative parliamentarians for virtual briefing events throughout We look forward to better times ahead and meeting you lockdown, including a memorable event with outgoing all in person again. Ambassador of Israel Mark Regev where over 50 Conservative parliamentarians paid tribute to his four years in London. Conservative parliamentarians joined us for online sessions on issues as wide-ranging as Israel’s political situation, Israel’s response to the pandemic, as well as a briefing with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) about the security threats facing the Jewish State. This year can also be remembered as one marking a new era for the Middle East; one of peace and prosperity. The announcement of Israel’s establishment of diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates @CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 3 JOIN CFI Supporting Israel. Promoting Conservatism. With over 3,000 supporters, CFI is proud to have a strong activist base supporting our work in Parliament. Exclusive supporter benefits include: CFI's 'Informed' weekly email briefing Invitations and discounts to events Join our ever growing community: www.cfoi.co.uk/membership 4 INFORMED MAGAZINE 2020/2021 JOIN CFI Autumn 2020 Supporting Israel. Dear Friends, Promoting Conservatism. I am delighted once again to send my thanks and support to Conservative Friends of Israel. I have always been proud to be considered a friend of Israel. From my first expeditions to Israel as a young man to my recent visits as Mayor and Foreign Secretary, I have always been struck by the ingenuity and fortitude of the Israeli people – and by the great achievements of the State of Israel in the face of ever-present threats and intimidations. The United Kingdom has always stood by Israel and its right to live as any nation should be able to, in peace and security. Our commitment to Israel’s security will be unshakable while I am Prime Minister. With over 3,000 supporters, In the year in which we celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UK CFI is proud to have a strong and Israel, I am delighted to say that the friendship between our two nations remains as strong as it has ever been. As the UK forges a new role on the global stage outside the EU, I want us activist base supporting our to continue to strengthen our bilateral relationship with Israel including in areas such as trade. work in Parliament. And we will continue to work side by side with Israel in the fight against coronavirus, as we share information and insights on how to overcome this unprecedented challenge. I know that Exclusive supporter benefits both our countries will come through the pandemic and build back stronger than ever. include: Despite the challenges of the current circumstances, it has been extremely encouraging to see the recent exciting news of the normalisation of relations between Israel and two other great CFI's 'Informed' weekly email friends of the UK: the UAE and Bahrain. These have been extremely welcome developments, and I hope that others will follow to help secure a more peaceful Middle East. briefing CFI plays a vital role in making the case for Israel and in supporting the UK’s relationship Invitations and discounts to with Israel. Thank you for all your great work, and for everything that you do for our Party – events including all the tremendous support you provided last December to help us win an historic majority in the general election. Your efforts made a real difference in many key marginal seats – and with your ongoing support, our Conservative Government will deliver on the Join our ever growing community: people’s priorities. www.cfoi.co.uk/membership @CFoI | www.cfoi.co.uk 5 Conservative Campaign Headquarters, 4 Matthew Parker Street, London, SW1H 9HQ Promoted by Alan Mabbutt on behalf of the Conservative Party, both at 4 Matthew Parker Street, London SW1H 9HQ SALAM, SHALOM: A NEW DAWN IN THE j Shutterstock MIDDLE EAST? RT. HON. STEPHEN CRABB MP, RT. HON. THE LORD PICKLES, LORD POLAK CBE t the start of the establishment of reciprocal following Egypt and Jordan. 2020, who embassies as well as direct would have flights and collaboration in Yet unlike Israel’s treaties predicted areas such as security and with Egypt and Jordan, there both a global healthcare. is a hope that peace will Apandemic and the emergence be felt within the countries’ It is also a breakthrough in a of a new path to peace in the populations; not just a peace region that has been beset Middle East? between governments, with religious wars; shining a but a “coexistence, mutual The signing of the Abraham light on an alternative path for understanding and mutual Accords in September, a the future. respect” between peoples. peace treaty between Israel In normalising ties with Israel and the United Arab Emirates It has since been heartening to at a landmark ceremony in the (UAE) and Bahrain, marks a read reports of young Israelis White House in September, landmark breakthrough in and Emiratis meeting each the UAE and Bahrain became Israel’s relations with the Arab other online over video calls; the first Arab states in 26 years world.