Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel: Difference between revisions
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==Liberal Democrat Views on Israel== |
==Liberal Democrat Views on Israel== |
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In a speech on antisemitism in Westminster, Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrat Party questioned whether calling Israel a Jewish State was a "new idea", effectively asking whether Israel should be referred to as 'The Jewish State.' <ref>http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/nick-clegg-israel-jewish%E2%80%99</ref> Nick Clegg responded to criticism of his statement by stating that his intention of revoking Israel as a Jewish State was to try and help bring calm to the region.<ref>http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/nick-clegg-israel-jewish%E2%80%99</ref> Nick Clegg has chosen to ''help'' Israel by calling for Israel to appease the Arabic nations surrounding it. |
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Nick Clegg also claimed in the "Comment Is Free" section of the Guardian Online Newspaper (Jan 09)<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/07/nick-clegg-israel-gaza-war</ref> that Israel's use of military force to defend itself from Hamas rocket attacks was an ineffective and unnecessary response. He called on the British Government and the EU to condemn Israel's Defence Strategy and to stop selling arms to Israel. The basis for his criticism and his call for restrictions against Israel was to help stabalise the Middle-East situation, pursuing the idea that if Israel is made powerless to defend itself then a situation of peaceful existence will be more forthcoming. In the same article Nick Clegg cites rejected UN reports that Israel used illegal cluster munitions in the Gaza conflict. It is unknown why he chose to refer to these rejected reports, besides the possibility that Nick Clegg wanted to continue his path of villifying Israel. |
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In contrast to Nick Clegg's predictions that Israeli Defence Operations would be ineffective and unnecessary in settling the Hamas rocket situation - there was a remarkable drop in rocket attacks against Israel in the months and years following the Gaza 'Cast Lead' Operation of 2008/2009. <ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/world/middleeast/24gaza.html?_r=3</ref> |
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[[Nile Gardiner]], a conservative commentator, wrote on the Telegraph Newspaper blog about his investigation into Nick Clegg's real views on Israel. He stated: "it’s important to take a look at Nick Clegg’s willingness to vilify Israel, and his inclination towards bashing the Israelis over the head." ... "Clegg has drawn a dangerous and false parallel between the Israelis and Islamist terrorist groups." <ref>http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/nilegardiner/100035649/nick-clegg%E2%80%99s-israel-bashing-is-sickening</ref> |
[[Nile Gardiner]], a conservative commentator, wrote on the Telegraph Newspaper blog about his investigation into Nick Clegg's real views on Israel. He stated: "it’s important to take a look at Nick Clegg’s willingness to vilify Israel, and his inclination towards bashing the Israelis over the head." ... "Clegg has drawn a dangerous and false parallel between the Israelis and Islamist terrorist groups." <ref>http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/nilegardiner/100035649/nick-clegg%E2%80%99s-israel-bashing-is-sickening</ref> |
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==Members of LDFI== |
==Members of LDFI== |
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Revision as of 16:55, 5 May 2010
Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel is a group whose stated objective is to 'maximise support for the State of Israel within the British Liberal Democrat Party', and to 'promote policies which lead to peace and security for Israel within a Middle East peace settlement'.[1]
President of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel is Rt Hon Alan Beith MP, Chairman is Councillor Monroe Palmer OBE, others include Lord Jacobs, Lord Carlile of Berriew, Evan Harris MP.
Liberal Democrat Views on Israel
In a speech on antisemitism in Westminster, Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrat Party questioned whether calling Israel a Jewish State was a "new idea", effectively asking whether Israel should be referred to as 'The Jewish State.' [2] Nick Clegg responded to criticism of his statement by stating that his intention of revoking Israel as a Jewish State was to try and help bring calm to the region.[3] Nick Clegg has chosen to help Israel by calling for Israel to appease the Arabic nations surrounding it.
Nick Clegg also claimed in the "Comment Is Free" section of the Guardian Online Newspaper (Jan 09)[4] that Israel's use of military force to defend itself from Hamas rocket attacks was an ineffective and unnecessary response. He called on the British Government and the EU to condemn Israel's Defence Strategy and to stop selling arms to Israel. The basis for his criticism and his call for restrictions against Israel was to help stabalise the Middle-East situation, pursuing the idea that if Israel is made powerless to defend itself then a situation of peaceful existence will be more forthcoming. In the same article Nick Clegg cites rejected UN reports that Israel used illegal cluster munitions in the Gaza conflict. It is unknown why he chose to refer to these rejected reports, besides the possibility that Nick Clegg wanted to continue his path of villifying Israel.
In contrast to Nick Clegg's predictions that Israeli Defence Operations would be ineffective and unnecessary in settling the Hamas rocket situation - there was a remarkable drop in rocket attacks against Israel in the months and years following the Gaza 'Cast Lead' Operation of 2008/2009. [5]
Nile Gardiner, a conservative commentator, wrote on the Telegraph Newspaper blog about his investigation into Nick Clegg's real views on Israel. He stated: "it’s important to take a look at Nick Clegg’s willingness to vilify Israel, and his inclination towards bashing the Israelis over the head." ... "Clegg has drawn a dangerous and false parallel between the Israelis and Islamist terrorist groups." [6]
Members of LDFI
In alphabetical order, members of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel include:
- Alan Beith MP, President of LDFI [7]
- Matthew Harris, Vice-Chairman of LDFI, PPC for Hendon in 2010 General Elections. [8]
See also
- Labour Friends of Israel
- Conservative Friends of Israel
- Northern Ireland Friends of Israel
- European Friends of Israel
References
- ^ "Objectives of LDFI". Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
- ^ http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/nick-clegg-israel-jewish%E2%80%99
- ^ http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/nick-clegg-israel-jewish%E2%80%99
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/07/nick-clegg-israel-gaza-war
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/world/middleeast/24gaza.html?_r=3
- ^ http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/nilegardiner/100035649/nick-clegg%E2%80%99s-israel-bashing-is-sickening
- ^ "Boycott plan puts our reputation at risk". The Guardian. 12 June 2007.
- ^ "Election 2010: Profile for Matthew Harris, Liberal Democrat candidate for Hendon". Times Series. 19th April 2010.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- Official website
- Speech to the Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel, Charles Kennedy, 4 November 2004
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