OPINION: The government’s Palestinian recognition intention is a monumental mistake

Biting the hand that feeds you is never a great strategy. As we represent a diverse community on a myriad of issues, it is more important than ever that we maintain a close relationship with government. That way, we can advocate and deliver tangible results for our community. However, 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.

As a proud British Jew who has had the honour of representing the Monarchy as both High Sheriff and Deputy Lieutenant, I feel profoundly uncomfortable.

I have 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.

Our reservations about this issue go well beyond the potential illegality, lack of defined borders, and who will sit in the government. How can this be considered when there are still 50 hostages being held by Hamas? Following on from the garbled announcement and subsequent confusion, it is now clear that there are conditions on Israel that if not abided by will lead to recognition. I am sure that our government will continue with their rhetoric around an immediate and unconditional release of the hostages. At some point it is hoped that Number 10 might realise their decision making is back to front when they are being criticised by a liberal democracy in Israel and celebrated by genocidal terrorists in Hamas. They have also completely disincentivised Hamas to disarm or release the hostages as they are obtaining their demands without any concessions.

One of our primary concerns is that this announcement is the worst type of politics. It is merely performative and will make no tangible difference on the ground. Surely Parliamentary time and energy should be expended on implementing positive change. This has all transpired during parliamentary recess when an emergency cabinet meeting was convened not to discuss the marches and protests outside hotels housing immigrants or other domestic issues but Gaza.

Polling has shown that the conflict taking place far away from our shores does not occupy the minds of many British people. So, you must wonder why there is a foreign policy obsession of pandering to a vocal minority within the UK.

I am 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.

Recognition needs to be part of a peace process and not a replacement for it. This is not about denying the justifiable rights of Palestinians to live in a state of their own. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is a catastrophe and all avenues must be explored to alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians. I also understand that there are criticisms of this Israeli government that are absolutely legitimate and they must be addressed.

I am in no doubt that some of the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu alongside the dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric of some members of his coalition have had a damaging effect on Israel’s standing across the globe. This is wholly regrettable but does not justify a unilateral call for a Palestinian State without clear concessions from Hamas.

Unfortunately, the path chosen by government seems to prioritise diplomatic grandstanding rather than earning peace through a genuine commitment to coexistence. This move is not merely premature but reckless and will be viewed by the Jewish community as a reward for those who committed unspeakable atrocities on October 7th. Either we look to manoeuvre diplomatically and leverage our international standing to create goodwill or we sponsor meaningless gestures to placate fringe elements within our political system.

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.

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.

Our voice must be heard.

Mark Adlestone is chair of the Jewish Representative Council for Greater Manchester and Region