Truss pledges ‘review’ into moving British Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem
Tory PM hopefuls - Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak - have made a series of new pledges designed to win the support of party members from within the Jewish community in letters sent to the CFI organisation
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Tory leadership favourite Liz Truss has pledged to “review” moving the British embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
In a letter issued to the Conservative Friends of Israel group Truss wrote:”I understand the importance and sensitivity” around the location of the UK’s embassy in Israel.
She added that after “many” conversations with her “good friend” Yair Lapid on the topic she would “review a move to ensure we are operating on the strongest footing with Israel.”
The pledge stopped short of confirming Truss would move the embassy if elected Prime Minister by Tory Party members in September.
But it was clearly designed to shore up support for her campaign from those who want the UK to follow in the footsteps of ex-US President Donald Trump in moving the embassy to Jerusalem.
EXCLUSIVE: @trussliz writes letter to @CFoI supporters to “renew commitment to Israel” and pledging to legislate against BDS, fight anti-Israel bias as the UN, counter Iran, and review moving UK Embassy in Israel #LeadershipContest
Read more here: https://t.co/lxgT7jmPqm pic.twitter.com/SxAIpHuWeD
— CFoI (@CFoI) August 5, 2022
Meanwhile in his own letter to CFI, former chancellor Rishi Sunak pledged to support moves to amend the Levelling Up Bill to introduce new legislation designed to allow the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre to be built in Westminster.
Sunak also said proscription of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps must also “be on the table.”
EXCLUSIVE: @RishiSunak writes letter to @CFoI supporters, pledging support to Israel and commitments to deliver BDS Bill, secure UK-Israel trade deal, expand the Abraham Accords and consider proscription of IRGC #LeadershipContest
Read more here: https://t.co/lxgT7jmPqm pic.twitter.com/hRBbtOWfAz
— CFoI (@CFoI) August 5, 2022
Both Truss and Sunak put their weight behind supporting the Conservatives manifesto commitment to “outlaw” BDS – with the former chancellor stating he worked alongside ex-Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick on the matter.
In hard-line words about the Iranian regime, Truss said if Iran continues to refuse a new deal to restrict its drive to acquire nuclear weapons then “all options are on the table”.
Sunak said Tehran was the “largest state sponsor of terrorism.”
CFI host hustings events with both candidates next week.
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