Calls on British Government to Nullify Its Anti-Israel Resolution
The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) sent a letter to Sir Peter Westmacott, the British Ambassador to the United States, in which it issued a sharp rebuke to Britain’s Parliament after it voted overwhelmingly on Monday to give recognition to a Palestinian state. (Ed. note: more than half of the members of Parliament were not present and did not vote.) Although it was a nonbinding resolution, the actions of the British Parliament nonetheless give credence to the flawed notion that the Palestinian Authority can unilaterally declare statehood outside of the context of peace negotiations with Israel.
“By voting to recognize a Palestinian state, the British Parliament inexplicably engaged in a shameless attempt to empower the Palestinian Authority to circumvent peace talks with Israel,” wrote NCYI President Farley Weiss, Chairman of the Board Robert Levi, and 1st Vice President Yosef Poplack. “This unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood by British lawmakers is counterintuitive, counterproductive, and contrary to the traditional standards of international diplomacy.”
“The insinuation by members of the British Parliament that their long-time support of Israel eroded due to their ‘anger’ over Israel’s actions over the past several months is laughable and ludicrous,” continued the letter. “Rewarding the Palestinian Authority after its coalition partner Hamas launched rocket attacks on Israeli population centers, dug terror tunnels in order to kill innocent Israelis, and repeatedly used civilians as human shields, sends a troubling message that the British Parliament somehow condones Hamas’ atrocious terrorist acts.”
“As the anti-Israel sentiment continues to expand throughout Europe and in areas around the world, we continue to stand with Israel in its pursuit of peace and security for its citizens, and we urge people to refrain from irresponsible legislative acts that unjustly denigrate Israel and serve as a boon to terrorism and Hamas’ murderous and violent tendencies,” wrote the National Council of Young Israel. “We join in solidarity with our brethren in the British Jewish community and offer our assistance and support in responding accordingly to the vote by the Parliament.”
