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Pro-Israel conference addressed by Labour and Conservative front benchers
More than 1,500 people attended the We Believe in Israel conference yesterday in Central London.
The bipartisan, cross-denominational conference featured speeches by Labour MP Michael Dugher, a Vice-President of Labour Friends of Israel, and Conservative Chief Whip Michael Gove; and was attended by representatives of Zionist, pro-Israel organisations from across the political spectrum.
Duhger described his attachment to Israel, saying it was because “Israel is more than just a country. It’s an idea. An idea founded on a set of values and principles. An idea that is worth fighting for.” In a rare display of political unity Mr Gove followed up by declaring “he agreed with every word” of Mr Dugher’s speech.
He added that, though there were many differences of opinion among Israel’s supporters, “we are all completely united on this – we believe in Israel, we believe in her right to defend herself.”
Other speakers included former Israeli minister Gideon Saar, and Israeli Ambassador to the UK Daniel Taub, with the Ambassador telling the crowd: “you don’t need to be a defence attorney for the state of Israel, but please be a character witness for the state of Israel.”