This election, pledge for Israel

There are many issues that will determine how people will cast their vote in the General Election.

May I ask your readers to consider one of the most intractable problems of recent decades, the Israel/Palestinian conflict?

In recent years the international community, including Britain, has attempted to solve this dispute by criticising Israel for defending itself, while ignoring violent Palestinian attacks and an associated lobbying movement that acts like a school bully. That’s a mistaken and negative strategy which can serve no useful purpose.

Israel is a democracy with religious freedom, an unfettered press, a strong trade union movement, and equal rights for all its citizens.

And there are many examples of normal co-existence and collaboration between Palestinians and Israelis in many spheres including business, education and research which the press chooses not to report. Like any democracy Israel has a fundamental duty to protect its citizens from harm. The men and women of violence will only be stopped when democratic nations including the UK stand firm against terror.

So I am asking your readers to ask in the General Election candidates in our area to sign A Pledge for Israel. This is a document that recognises Israel’s achievements, and the challenges that this small nation faces in the maelstrom of the Middle East.

Because peace will only be found with honesty.

You can send the Pledge for Israel by visiting www.israelbritain.org.uk/news.

Diana Stanley, Address supplied