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Straw praises Israel and British Jews

Updated: 09/Nov/2005 17:28

Archive Photo: Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw (left) with Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom (right).

Photo: Foreign Office

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British foreign secretary Jack Straw has praised Israel for the “astonishing amount” it has achieved since the establishment of the state nearly 60 years ago.

Speaking to the Labour Friends of Israel lobby group last Wednesday, Straw also noted the important contribution British Jews have made to UK society over the last 350 years.

At the meeting Straw noted the technological and scientific achievements Israel has made as well as the democratic resilience.

We must make every effort for a new beginning with renewed efforts to support the peace process

Jack Straw

He said: “In nearly six decades, Israel has achieved an astonishing amount. It has built a thriving democracy in a region historically dominated by autocratic regimes.

“And, as a leading global competitor in areas such as medicine, scientific research, and information technology, it now has one of the most advanced economies in the world.

“These are things for which the people of Israel and the wider Jewish community are rightly proud. Today the United Kingdom and Israel share the same democratic values and we enjoy practical collaboration in many areas.”

Proud community

Highlighting the recent anniversary of 350 years since the re-admittance of Jews into the UK, Straw said he believed the British Jewish community was an example of the success of British multiculturalism.

“Today’s Jewish community in this country should be proud of its vitality and vibrancy and be congratulated for its many achievements.

“Anglo-Jewry serves to provide a positive message for multicultural Britain, as a religious minority who have, over time, integrated themselves into the fabric of British life and culture, whilst still maintaining their ancient traditions and central tenets of their faith”

In nearly six decades, Israel has achieved an astonishing amount. It has built a thriving democracy in a region historically dominated by autocratic regimes

Jack Straw

The foreign secretary connected the recent start of the Jewish new year to new hopes for the peace process. Although he noted the difficulties, especially since the recent suicide bombing in Hadera, he said: “I know that you have just started the reading of the Torah from the very first portion of Genesis – in the beginning.

“We must make every effort for a new beginning with renewed efforts to support the peace process.”

Straw made the speech just days before the commemoration that mark the ten-year anniversary of the assassination of former Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin.

Noting Rabin’s quest for peace, which ultimately led to his death, Straw said: “Prime minister Rabin embarked on a courageous journey which laid the groundwork for future negotiations between Israel and Palestine. All the friends of Israel – both here and around the world – hope that one day this vision of peace will be realised.

Iranian problems

The foreign secretary also used the speech to call for the UN to demand that Syria and Iran halt support for terror groups such as Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad.

Noting the recent positive moves by Arab states in terms of civil liberties, he said: These remarkable shifts in attitude by Arab states throw into sharper relief the baleful, harmful influence of two states who are in a mindset which allows them to believe that the clock can be turned back to before 1967, if not before 1948. These two states are Iran and Syria.”