Priti Patel to address Balfour conference

Priti Patel is set to address a major conference marking the centenary of the Balfour Declaration next week.

The International Development Secretary will represent the British government and Shadow Foreign Secretary will speak for the official opposition at the event, the third annual conference in Westminster organised by Jewish News and BICOM (Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre).

The conference, held in association with Balfour 100, will take place 100 years to the day after Britain became the first country to formally back Zionist hopes for a Jewish homeland. It will be one of the most high-profile gatherings of the anniversary, ahead of a number of prominent events opposing the declaration in the heart of Westminster.

Israel’s Opposition will be represented by former Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog.

Among the other speakers from the UK and Israel at the event – which will examine the causes and consequences of the landmark Declaration and the wider role of Britain in the Middle East today – will be Sir Simon McDonald, head of the diplomatic service and former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind.

The invite-only event will be attended by MPs, peers, academics, journalists and diplomats from across the world.