I was honoured to join a Pro-Israeli lobby to Parliament on Wednesday 21st January, participating in a 'coalition' led by Christian Friends of Israel and the Zionist Federation. With the ceasefire literally days old and an admittedly dire situation in Gaza it was certainly a 'difficult' time to visit a rather 'frosty House'. I have to say however that many interesting and surprising conversations took place with a diverse range of politicians many of whom were more vociferous in their support of Israel 'in-person' (compared to what might be portrayed in the media).

I think we can consign views of the fringe popinjays (Kaufman, Galloway et. al.) to their 'disrespectful' places, but there is a very genuine concern amongst many British supporters of Israel as to the nature of rhetoric emanating from the British government (and sadly I must say opposition), as well as dreadfully biased reporting on mainstream media. The seeming contradictions of many commentators reference disparity of condemnation of action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Morning Session

We had a superbly attended morning session with addresses from Professor Eric Moonman OBE (ZF Director), Geoffrey Smith (from Christian Friends of Israel), Hagai Merom (a former member of the Knesset), Ran Gidor, Political Attache at the Embassy of Israel and notable lawyer Anthony Julius.

Afternoon Session

The afternoon session in Parliament buildings featured addresses from Sir Alan Beith MP, Loiuse Ellman MP, Lee Scott MP, Stuart Polak (Director of Conservative Friends of Israel) and Tayla Lador Frescher, Deputy Israeli Ambassador.

What is Misunderstood

I think the major frustration of many in the 'community' is the seeming misunderstanding of Israel's fundamental position on this conflict. Israel wants peace, security, recognition of legitimacy and ultimately a sustainable agreement that secures the well-being of its and its neighbours' citizens.

What Must Be Understood

In 10-second sound-byte reporting, journalism tends to find the 'black and white' of any story. Let's look again at some of the significant 'shades of grey':

1. From 2001 to 2008 over 8,500 rockets were fired into Israel. I will not condone the death of innocent people on any side of any conflict. That is a moral anathema. I will however resolutely defend the right of any nation to act in self-defence under repeated and prolonged attack. The nature of any response must (of course) be within the legitimate confines of United Nations regulations. The idea however that a war can be conducted under the scrutiny of 'press referees' is ludicrous. Modern conflicts are not 'set pieces' fought on designated ground. I'm afraid this romantic lunacy is gone with the days of Lord Wellington. Journalists that 'cried foul' in terms of admission to Gaza from Israel might like to explain why no 'right of admission' was provided across the Egyptian frontier (the same could be said of aid convoys).
2. It's all too easy these days to formulate opinion on highly complex world-issues through sound-byte media. Whereas it is arguably 'not essential' I think there is a moral impediment for the highly critical of the Israeli position to actually visit the Middle East and understand the myriad of difficulties facing the security position of the Israeli state. This comes against the backdrop of sustained aggression from a terrorist organisation (in the guise of Hamas) with 'unhelpful' destabilising manipulation in the region courtesy of (primarily) Iran.
3. The International Community is engaging in varying forms of 'hand-ringing' against what is wrongly billed as Israeli aggression. The same International Community seems less vociferous and active in taking action against Iran in its pursuit of nuclear armaments. Having had the opportunity to hear Hans Blix speak about the Iranian programme earlier in 2008, I remain concerned (but slightly more optimistic than some) about the timescale they require to have weapons grade enrichment capability. There is a difference between enrichment percentages for fuel and enrichment percentages for weaponry, but the technological advances in Iran are disturbing. There is a concern about what nuclear armament for Iran would mean. It is of course debatable if this would lead to an immediate 'doomsday', but nuclear proliferation in the region would surely herald a 'nuclear renaissance'. I suspect it would be only a matter of few years before 'scientific cross-pollination' would see a similarly equipped Syria and Lebanon. Privately it is 'mooted' that regimes in Jordan and Saudi Arabia are nervous about Iranian armament and might quite like Israel to 'take decisive action'.
4. In a time of cries against Israel for 'war-crimes' (an allegation I find distasteful and inaccurate) it is important for politicians and the British public to reflect on the manipulation of Palestinian children through truly appalling propaganda material which they are subjected to through school books and television. The use of human shields must also not be overlooked (we remember the outcry during the first Gulf War when Saddam Hussein employed similarly abhorrent tactics).
5. Finances and aid must be channeled in sufficient volume and speed to arrest suffering of the innocent people of Gaza. There is simply no argument to the contrary, although we must urge monitors, charities, NGOs and government agencies to ensure that aid is equitably distributed and that any funding goes to benefit the genuinely needy (i.e. not rearmament). Hours after the first humanitarian relief went into Gaza reports from Jordanian media indicated that shipments were being hijacked and sold on at a premium by extremists. The British Government and the International Community need to provide assurances that they will be resolute about the operation of smuggling tunnels from Egypt into Gaza. Perhaps there will be progress on provision of independent monitors along the Gaza / Egypt border in forthcoming talks.
6. Kerem Shalom, Karni, Nahal Oz and Erez Crossings operated from January 19th to enable the humanitarian movements of 195 trucks, 4,946 tonnes of supplies and donations from Jordan, Egypt and the Israeli organisation Latet. This relief effort continues.
7. Israel dropped thousands of leaflets warning of forthcoming military operations. It has been reported that Hamas threatened civilians that tried to flee these areas.

Pray for Hope, Peace and Understanding

I think we need to fear nuclear proliferation and any nuclear renaissance that might be led by developments in Iran. With forthcoming Israeli elections and exceptional changes in the USA there is perhaps an opportunity for a renewed impetus into the problems surrounding Israel and her neighbours. For those that attended the 2008 Balfour Lecture, I'm sure much of that sentiment will be reminiscent of the speech delivered by Sir Richard Dearlove (former head of MI6). It was a personal honour to hear Israeli President Shimon Peres speak recently in London. I was very touched by Peres' vision and yearning for peace. I fear at present however that the voices of reconciliation and sense are being drowned out by a cacophony of ill conceived and inflammatory anti-Israeli rhetoric. What is ultimately required i the region is strong leadership on all sides, a conciliatory stance from the hardliners and an abandonment of the nihilistic, apocalyptic position of the 'jihadists', who are convinced they are fighting a war scripted in messianic texts. 

I am not overly hopeful for the short-term. I have reports of a rise in knee-cappings (of 'so called' Israeli collaborators in Gaza - aka Fatah members), of intimidation and hijacking of aid shipments, of racketeering and ongoing smuggling (sources indicating protection payments of some $3,000 per day per head for some smugglers).

I would really appeal for all in positions of influence to temper their words, consider the long-term opportunity for peace and be mindful of stirring what can (and very hurtfully) appear to be anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic opinion.

Ultimately I pray for no more suffering or death on any side of this lamentable (and avoidable) tragedy. To move forward in conflict resolution we must understand all protagonists. Israel is being misrepresented in most of the western media, I fear this may lead to alienation, and is certainly highly injurious to the Jewish and Pro-Israeli community and in the long term to wider British and world community interests.