A ‘pivotal time’ for Jewish News UK-Israel policy conference

By Richard Ferrer
  • Richard Ferrer has been editor of Jewish News since 2009. As one of Britain's leading Jewish voices he writes for The Times, Independent, New Statesman and many other titles. Richard previously worked at the Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, edited the Boston Jewish Advocate and created the Channel 4 TV series Jewish Mum Of The Year.
 18 June 2015, 1:39 pm
Iraqi foreign minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, left, is welcomed by Britain's Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood as he arrives to attend an international meeting on defeating the Islamic State militant group hosted by British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in London, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Stefan Rousseau, Pool)
Iraqi foreign minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, left, is welcomed by Britain’s Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood as he arrives to attend an international meeting in Januar 2015. (AP Photo/Stefan Rousseau, Pool)

Middle East Minister Tobias Ellwood will address Jewish News’ inaugural policy conference in Westminster next week.

It will be his first major address related to Israel since his re-appointment to the role following the General Election.

He will join Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom, Opposition leader Isaac Herzog and Yesh Atid chief Yair Lapid at the event – the most high-profile gathering of senior Israeli political figures in London for many years.

For details, including speakers, the schedule, and information about the organisers, click here.

The conference is organised in partnership with BICOM. Israeli ambassadors to the UK and the UN Daniel Taub and Ron Prosor will also address an invited audience of politicians, journalists, diplomats, Government officials and think tank members. Martin Indyk, who served as White House envoy to the most recent round of Israeli-Palestinian talks, will speak by video link from Washington.

Jewish News editor Richard Ferrer said: “This month is a pivotal time. New governments in Israel and the UK are starting to grapple with the shared imperative of enhancing bilateral collaboration, while contending with widening gaps on the diplomatic process between Israel and the Palestinians.”

He added: “This conference signifies a commitment by Jewish News to enhance the quality of political debate about Israel in the UK. As a newspaper, we are dedicated to objectivity and balance. Political discourse on this topic has often fallen short in this regard.”

The UK-Israel shared strategic challenges conference comes shortly after elections in both countries and just eight days before the deadline for a final deal on Iran’s nuclear programme. That will be among the issues explored by experts from both countries in a series of panel sessions.

Also discussed will be the rise of ISIS, whether rejectionists have slammed the door shut on a two-state solution and the threat of radicalisation. The latter will be proceeded by a speech by Chief Rabbi Emeritus Lord Sacks.

The event will be held with the participation of the World Jewish Congress, whose long-time president Ronald Lauder will introduce the two Government ministers and whose chief executive Robert Singer will chair a panel exploring rising European anti-Semitism.

It is also being held with the participation of Israel Channel 10 and The Algemeiner and with the support of Israel Solidarity Campaign and the Anglo-Israel Association.

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