Ex-Lib Dem leader expresses continued hope for two-state solution at conference event

Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has backed calls for “peace through prosperity” two-state solution approach to Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians at a fridge event during the party’s annual conference.

Speaking at the event put on by the Liberal Democrats Friends of Israel group at the conference in Bournemouth, the party’s environment spokesperson joined Baron Frankal of Portland Trust and LDFI Gavin Stollar for a discussion on how to make a viable Palestinian state a necessary component of a end to the conflict in the Middle East.

Lord Monroe Palmer, the president of LDFI, told Jewish News Sunday’s pre-Yom Kippur fringe event was “a chance to hear of real problems and real hopes and we were pleased to share those thoughts with delegates, including Palestinians.

“An economically and democratic Palestinian state alongside a vibrant, secure and democratic Israel is still possible.”

Elsewhere at the Lib Dem conference Hannah Weisfeld, director of the Yachad  organisation was on the panel at another fringe event organised by the Liberal Democrats Friends of Palestine group.

Weisfeld said:”The discussion at the fringe event was high quality and very measured. It was refreshing to take part in an event where both the panellists and the audience were able to interact in such a productive manner.

“The Liberal Democrats are to be commended in how they have approached this issue in recent years – they have been able to develop robust policy whilst maintaining civil discussion and also keeping those with different options engaged in constructive dialogue. I hope we can see this emulated across the political spectrum.”

Meanwhile, Leon Duveen, chair of the  Liberal Democrats for Peace in the Middle East, has written on what he said was need for ” supporters of Palestine”  to “stand with Israelis” protesting against Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul.

Writing on the Lib Dem Voice website, Duveen said:” Unless these reforms are stopped, Palestinians will suffer even more than now. “Indeed, the supporters of the fascist parties in the Coalition are already carrying out pogroms in Palestinian towns & villages, safe in the knowledge that their leaders in the Government will protect them.”