UK leaders to Bibi: Help get Israeli diplomats back to work

UK-based Israel organisations have urged Benjamin Netanyahu to “use all his efforts” to ensure the Israel’s diplomats can resume their full duties following two weeks of strike action.

The Zionist Federation, WIZO UK and Habonim Dror UK are among 11 bodies and individuals to put their names to a letter to the Israeli leader as the union for Israel’s diplomats moved into a third week of action in a dispute centred on pay.

The signatories set out to stress the importance of the work during out by Israel’s Embassy in a country that is a particularly “important arena for Israel” – as the Jewish state’s second largest trading partner and a media hub.

“In all these fields, the tireless work of Israel’s diplomats is absolutely crucial to protecting and advancing the cause of Israel. We are proud and privileged to work alongside them and to witness their tireless commitment to representing Israel in every arena, from briefing the country’s most influential leadership and appearing on the media, to speaking at often hostile university campuses, union meetings and faith and cultural groups.”

The letter – initiated by the ZF and also backed by ZCC Manchester, Christian Friends of Israel and Lib Dem peer Lord Palmer – concluded: “Without wishing to become involved in internal labour disputes, we consider it important that you know what vital work Israel’s representatives are doing on a daily basis. We urge you to use all your efforts to ensure that this crucial work can continue.”

After diplomats around the globe were instructed to halt work on upcoming foreign trips, there had been fears that David Cameron’s trip to Israel would have to be cancelled, but the Israeli prime minister’s office and the British embassy in Tel Aviv stepped in to ensure it went ahead as planned last week.