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On 27th October I accompanied 19
Conservative Parliamentary Candidates from key marginal seats on a fact finding trip to Israel. After a busy 4 days candidates left feeling more informed about the issues surrounding Israel and the Middle East. This is an area / issue which I did not know much about previously other than what we all read in the press - but I know substantially more now. This was not a 'one-sided' propaganda exercise. There were no restrictions with full access to politicians from all parties, free to ask any question we wanted.
Visits included:
- Viewing the security barrier
- Visit to Yad Vashem the Holocaust memorial museum
- Northern border observation
- Visit to Sderot (Israeli town on boarder with Gaza strip, which has had just over 1,000 rockets land on it in the past year - including 10 in the week we were there)
- Tour of the old city of Jerusalem
- Meetings in the Knesset
- Economic and political briefings
- Meeting with Palestinians
This is what some of my colleagues said about the trip...
On the Security Fence
“Visiting the security fence the geography of Israel really struck me because I could see for the first time how at risk Israel is from the countries that surround it and how important its security is and how important the fence is to maintain that security. This visit has really brought to life the importance of the security of the state of Israel and how geographically vulnerable Israel is.”
Michael Ellis, PPC for Northampton North
On Yad Vashem
“The visit to Yad Vashem was undoubtedly the most moving and affecting part of out tour. Of that I remember the beginning and the ending of it most. The start of it was a beautiful old film of the way Jewish people lived in Eastern Europe before the war and then the end of it where after the descent through hell we emerged into the sunshine overlooking Jerusalem. I thought it was an amazingly fitting end to what was a very harrowing visit.”
Margot James, PPC for Stourbridge
On the Golan Heights
I am not sure at the moment that either Israel or Syria is in a position to negotiate. Perhaps the will is not there- certainly on the Syrian side- to negotiate and compromise. However in order for there to be peace, negotiations are going to have to take place.”
Karen Bradley, PPC for Staffordshire Moorlands
On Sderot
“I can’t imagine what it’s like living in a place that is under constant attack. The horror of it is unimaginable. We visited a little school with children the same age as my eldest daughter. The children have to practice drills in case a rocket comes over and lands in the vicinity of their school. Whatever feelings some may have about any injustices there is no justification for targeting rockets at schools, children and housing areas in this way.”
Jason McCartney, PPC for Colne Valley
On Knesset meetings
“The visit to the Knesset was fascinating. I was surprised to see what a broad range of politicians there are across the political spectrum. I was shocked that the guy I found most persuasive was a Labour politician! We hear so much about Israel but until you come here you don’t really understand the issues affecting the state. The members of the Knesset really brought that home for us”
Paul Maynard, PPC for Blackpool North and Fleetwood
On meeting with Palestinians
“One of the things I will take away from this trip was meeting Rami Nazrallah the Palestinian policy advisor. What resonated when he spoke to us about the Palestinian perspective was that he was just speaking as one of the people. He spoke about the view on the ground not about political mentalities within the PA. He highlighted that he wants more focus within the Palestinian Authority of first getting their own house in order and then moving forward with the Israelis to achieve a better solution for the future.”
Kulver Ranger, Vice Chairman (Cities) of the Conservative Party
On negotiations
“It must be difficult to sit around a table and negotiate with people when you know that on a daily basis they are trying to blow up your friends, family and people you care about. I think the difficulty is that until the violence ceases you can’t move forward in a meaningful way and trust the people that you are negotiating with.”
Andrew Griffiths, PPC for Burton
On the trip
“What struck us most has been the amazing stoicism of Israeli people. What I have been impressed by is the amazing maturity of young people, particularly young soldiers and undergraduates; people who showed amazing maturity under intense difficulty.”
David Gold, PPC for Eltham
“The trip with CFI has given me an opportunity to see first-hand how people live their lives and as a result and has helped me to better understand the frustrations it has created - both in the country itself and the Middle East as a whole.”
Matthew Offord, PPC for Hendon
“It’s been an absolutely fantastic trip. I have enjoyed every minute of it. It has been a real education and something I will never forget.”
Simon Kirby, PPC for Brighton Kemptown
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