OPINION: Penny Mordaunt – Boycotting the only Jewish state is rightly seen as antisemitic

I believe in a two-state solution. I believe for that to be achieved, both sides have to take necessary and sensible steps towards building a relationship and peace. So that Israeli and Palestinian children do not wake up listening to the sound of mortars or sirens. So that the playgrounds aren’t littered with bomb shelters.

It starts with a recognition of Israel’s right to exist. A mutual recognition. An end to barbaric terror attacks on ordinary Israeli’s in their sleep. And the end of building of illegal settlements. There has to be a focus on building the peaceful relationship so many have fought for, and so many deserve.

I stand firmly with our friends in Israel. As prime minister, I have said I will stand up to the world’s bullies. This is something Israel has to grapple with every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day. And they have done since the state’s very inception.

I will continue to support Israel’s right to self defence.

I see hope. The Abraham Accords, a UK Israel Trade Deal, the cooperation between nations during a global pandemic. We have more opportunities than ever to build relationships between nations who all have common goals – peace, prosperity and freedom.

As prime minister, I will stand up to the world’s bullies. This is something Israel has to grapple with every second, of every minute of every day.

It’s because I believe in these values that I would continue with our manifesto commitment to pass the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Bill because boycotting the only Jewish state in the world is rightly considered antisemitic by many in the Jewish community. We’ve seen where openly targeting one community, the Jewish community, leads us.

I’ve seen it with my own eyes at Auschwitz. It’s something you can never ‘un-see’. It’s etched on your mind as a sickening event in our worlds history, that we can never return to but have to learn from.

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement is rightly considered antisemitic

Israel is a kind and accepting state. It prides itself on the freedom of religion, with Arab Members of Parliament recently in government. And amongst a region with many totalitarian regimes, it’s a thriving democracy which celebrates being LGBT with the only Pride event in the Middle East.

If I’m prime minister Israel will continue to have our steadfast support to be the beacon of freedom it is. I will do all I can to strengthen and protect her, against those who would do her and her citizens harm.