Daphne Anson: Putting Some Grit Into Pro-Israel Advocacy In Britain: The British Israel Coalition

Eretz Israel is our unforgettable historic homeland...The Jews who will it shall achieve their State...And whatever we attempt there for our own benefit will redound mightily and beneficially to the good of all mankind. (Theodor Herzl, DerJudenstaat, 1896)

We offer peace and amity to all the neighbouring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of all. The State of Israel is ready to contribute its full share to the peaceful progress and development of the Middle East. (From Proclamation of the State of Israel, 5 Iyar 5708; 14 May 1948)

With a liberal democratic political system operating under the rule of law, a flourishing market economy producing technological innovation to the benefit of the wider world, and a population as educated and cultured as anywhere in Europe or North America, Israel is a normal Western country with a right to be treated as such in the community of nations.... For the global jihad, Israel may be the first objective. But it will not be the last. (Friends of Israel Initiative)

Monday, 18 July 2011

Putting Some Grit Into Pro-Israel Advocacy In Britain: The British Israel Coalition

Sam Westrop is a young pro-Israel activist who featured on a video I posted some time ago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoUneU8p20g

He is the convenor of a new group, the British Israel Coalition, which, in his words,

"is an umbrella organization for groups and individuals who want to proactively and unashamedly advocate for Israel, for those who wish to part ways with the hesitancy and placation of the status quo, who condemn bigotry in all forms and who support Israel as the only free and democratic state in the Middle East.

The British Israel Coalition is a new umbrella group for all advocates for Israel. Unlike traditional pro-Israel groups in the UK, we ensure that we do not restrict ourselves to a particular segment of the Jewish community, but welcome Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Left-wingers, Right wingers, atheists, the religious – all supporters of Israel fight for Israel under our umbrella." [My emphasis]

The context in which this organisation was formed, the lamentable developments within Britain (including sections of Anglo-Jewry), that demonstrated the need for setting up the organisation, are described by Sam Westrop in a blog in the Jerusalem Post.

Having thus set the scene, he continues:

"There are many good and excellent people within the leadership organizations, who are well intentioned and keen to do their part. And yet the same individuals appear trapped within a stagnant framework that does far more harm than good. This ludicrous and naïve mindset posits that we can fight our corner solely by being. Obviously, this only works while we are around.

If there is injustice and great wrong, and of this there is certainly no shortage, then such turpitudes can only be stopped if they are fought against with courage, creativity and moral clarity. With your support, let’s make it work, so things can get better."

Read the entire piece here: http://blogs.jpost.com/content/let’s-make-it-work

If you'd like to join the new organisation, or to find out more, go to britishisraelcoalition.org

2 comments:

Rita18 July 2011 at 15:37
I think these people have the right approach with their INCLUSIVE attitude.

Lately as a Goy, I have encountered some implicit and explicit rejection (for lack of a more appropriate word) of my enthusiasm in "standing by Israel" and defending "the Jews". For example, I found the attitude of the JIDF (*) a bit on the paranoid side, and told them so. However, afterwards - feeling guilty (as a Catholic-raised/German/female I hit the trifecta where talent for guilt is concerned) I sent them some money. Now I think I should rather have sent it to this gutsy group...in fact, since I have some left over, I will do so.

(*)http://www.thejidf.org/2011/07/moshe-feiglin-warns-against-glenn-becks.html
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Daphne Anson18 July 2011 at 18:00
Thanks, Rita!
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