Lord Polak praises PM Sunak over UN Israel vote stance
CFI honorary president Lord Polak issues challenge to UK government after suggesting it was "not at the table" as Abraham Accords were signed
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
A Conservative peer has praised Rishi Sunak after he announced the government would vote to oppose Palestinian move for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on Israel’s occupation at the United Nations.
After the Prime Minister confirmed at the Conservative Friends of Israel lunch on Monday that the UK would now vote to block the move, the group’s honorary president Lord Polak hailed the apparent change in approach.
He noted that on an earlier vote only a fortnight ago the UK had instead abstained.
Sunak issued a challenge to current foreign secretary James Cleverly, urging him to ensure consistency in future
Thanking Sunak for his actions, Polak told the CFI lunch:”It really, really shouldn’t be that difficult” for the UK to side with ” allies” over what he said were one-sided motions.
The United Nations General Assembly will this week hold a vote on whether to ask the ICJ for an advisory opinion on Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.
Polak was also critical of the government’s slow recognition of the opportunities presented by the Abraham Accords, agreed between Israel and several Gulf States.
He suggested the UK were “not at the table” as the deal was first struck, and urged the Sunak led party to recognise what he said were obvious commercial opportunities from the accords.
Polak also heaped praise on short-lived PM Liz Truss for her approach to relations with Israel and the Middle East.
And he issued a challenge to current foreign secretary James Cleverly, urging him to ensure consistency
As he spoke, the CFI official also read out a letter sent from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to be read out to the 700 guests at the lunch.
He wrote:”I wish to personally thank you and the British People for your brave camaraderie in support of Ukraine, during our own battle for survival and independence.
“In the spirit of the upcoming Chanukka holiday, you are unapologetic role models in your dedication tothe triumph of the forces of light over darkness.
“As the famous quote by Shammai in Pirkei Avot says, ‘Say Little, Do Much’. You have been strong not with empty promises, but with bold actions.
“The support of the British People continues to save endless innocent lives every single day, and shine a bright light across the entire world.
“While winter is upon us in Ukraine, we perhaps face our greatest challenge yet.
“However, our hearts are warmed and strengthened by your enduring friendship. As Winston Churchill once said: ‘You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something in your life.'”
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also spoke to the packed CFI event, describing the Abraham Accords as an “important, visible friendship between Israel and the Arab world.”
Cleverly spoke of the influence attending a CFI fact finding trip to Israel in 2016 had played on his wider insight into the region.
Despite the obvious challenges around Israel and its relations with its neighbours, Cleverly said “I’m an actual optimist.”
He added that Israel’s successes in numerous areas had come about because “there is an optimism and energy and positivity” which he said was the country’s “hallmark.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
