Alistair Burt appearance at Yachad dinner ‘shows we’re gaining traction’

A British Jewish group critical of Israeli policy has said an upcoming appearance by Middle East Minister Alistair Burt at its Gala Evening “shows we’re gaining traction”.

Yachad, which has a record of criticising Israel’s settlement-building policy, said it was “delighted” to be welcoming Burt to the organisation’s event on Sunday, where he will address supporters.

“The Minister’s attendance at our event is another sign that Yachad’s work to promote a safe and secure Israel by campaigning for a political resolution to the conflict is gaining significant traction,” said director Hannah Weisfeld.

“We will continue to broaden the conversation about Israel in the Jewish diaspora by providing British Jews a greater understanding of the conflict, the impact of an ongoing occupation on both Israelis and Palestinians, and present narratives they may not have been previously exposed to.”

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Yachad, which takes Jewish youngsters to the West Bank to see the effects of Israel’s occupation, has been the subject of vitriol and derision by Jewish supporters of Israel for many years, but Burt’s attendance has given it a boost.

At the United Nations Security Council 15 months ago, Britain signed UN Resolution 2334 which stated that Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem “have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation under international law”.