Manchester Jewish chief warns of reassessment of government relationship over Palestinian recognition
Mark Adlestone: 'For the first time in my memory, we now have a fundamental dividing line between the overwhelming majority of Jewish people and an elected government in Britain'
The key lay leader of Manchester’s Jewish community has signalled that his organisation’s relationship with the British government will be profoundly affected if the UK unilaterally recognises a Palestinian state, suggesting it may no longer attend government functions and reassess how it “give[s] a platform to Senior Ministers”.
Writing for Jewish News today, Mark Adlestone, Chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region, described how “for the first time in my memory, we now have a fundamental dividing line between the overwhelming majority of Jewish people and an elected government in Britain.”
He went on to say: “How the Jewish community deals with this unprecedented situation is a challenge. What is clear is that we cannot continue with business as usual. We are blessed to always be invited to government receptions in some of our country’s most iconic buildings but we now must reflect on whether it is appropriate for us to attend. It is also now very difficult for us to give a platform to senior Ministers in Greater Manchester in a way that we have done previously.”
Adlestone added: “Discussions and engagement with government must continue. Ensuring our community and our charities continue to thrive is dependent upon it. But please hear us when we shine a spotlight on how our government is making a monumental mistake.”
Two weeks ago, the Prime Minister abruptly announced that the UK would officially recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel fulfilled a number of conditions – including signing a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The announcement came some 72 hours after the Prime Minister had stated that recognition of such a state needed to be part of a “wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis”. The government’s policy shift has been widely condemned within the Jewish community, with luminaries such as Chief Rabbi Mirvis describing it as an “unfathomable misstep.”
In his article, Adlestone, who is also a trustee of the Jewish Leadership Council, described how he had “attended many meetings with MPs and a consistent message has been that unilateral recognition of Palestine would be a red line. At a time when the Palestinian Authority is 25 years into a 4-year term and Hamas rules Gaza with an iron fist, how can the UK consider it a good idea to confer sovereignty? Neither faction has demonstrated the ability nor the willingness to work towards a peaceful, democratic state.”
He emphasised that he is “a firm believer in a Two State Solution and recently signed a declaration calling for a Palestinian State alongside a safe and secure Israel. However, by unilaterally recognising a Palestinian State, the UK government is bypassing the very process which they claim to support.”
A Jewish Leadership Council spokesperson said: “This weekend, a broad coalition of the community will be protesting a decision by the British government. This is unprecedented in recent history, and demonstrates that business as usual will not suffice.”
A Board of Deputies spokesperson said: “The Government’s deeply damaging decision last week was unconscionable. It rewarded terror whilst abandoning the hostages. We are sending this message to the Government loudly and clearly, and this Sunday’s cross-communal protest will show the strength of our collective feeling.”
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