In Touch Quarter 2 - 2017

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Feature ‘If I forget you O Jerusalem’ Robin Lane For Jews around the world the 28 th day of the month of Iyar is a special day. It is ‘Jerusalem Day’ — the day on which they celebrate the reunification of the city of Jerusalem. In 2017 that day falls on 24 th May, and it will be an extra special day as it marks the 50 th anniversary of the reunification. The city was divided during the War of Independence, fought between the Jews and their Arab neighbours who were determined to drive them out of the land. Fighting had started soon after the General Assembly of the United Nations voted on 29 th November 1947 to partition what was then known as Palestine. Even before the British withdrew from the region on 14 th May 1948, Jerusalem had become a central point of the struggle. The Arabs tried to isolate the Jewish community in the city by ambushing the convoys that supplied them with food, fuel and clothing. Early in April the community had been cut off for two weeks, experiencing severe rationing until a large supply convoy made it through and was greeted with great joy. Many people were moved to tears at the sight of the convoy’s arrival, especially the words written on the front bumper of the lead vehicle, ‘If I forget you, O Jerusalem.’ 1 (Psalm 137:5). When the British did withdraw, the Jews declared the Establishment of the State of Israel, and five Arab armies attacked the new state. By 7 th June 1948 the hundred thousand Jews in Jerusalem were again in a desperate Uzi Narkiss, Moshe Dayan, and Yitzhak Rabin enter through the Lion’s Gate into the Old City of Jerusalem, June 7, 1967. Photo: GPO/Ilan Bruner. situation, down to their last three days of food. Despite heroic efforts to get Paratroopers at Western Wall. Photo: David Rubinger food through to them, they were only saved by a truce that was brokered by the United Nations and came into effect on Friday 11 th June. 2 That truce enabled the Jews to maintain their hold on a small segment of West Jerusalem, but they failed in a final attempt to recapture the Old City after the truce expired. So the Jordanian Army was left in control of both the Old City and East Jerusalem (which includes the north and the south of the city). Thus Jerusalem was divided and Jews were denied access to the parts of the city they considered most important – especially the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. Indeed, whilst it was under Jordanian control, no Jews were permitted to live in the Old City, or have access to worship at the Western Wall; and the Christian population fell from around 25,000 to 9,000. Dozens of synagogues were destroyed and many other restrictions were imposed in accordance with Islamic principles. 3 Almost 20 years later, on 5 th June 1967, Israel responded to the mobilisation of its Arab neighbours with a pre-emptive air assault that effectively neutralised the Egyptian and Syrian air forces. On the same morning Jordanian forces began shelling West Jerusalem – disregarding Israel’s warning to stay out of the fighting. The Israelis then mounted a counterattack that drove the Jordanian forces out of the Old City and East Jerusalem within just 48 hours. 4 Reactions to the reunification were very emotional, especially the renewed access to the Western Wall. The Israeli Chief of Staff, Yitzchak Rabin, is quoted as saying, “I felt truly shaken and stood there murmuring a prayer for peace. Motta Gur’s paratroopers were struggling to reach the Wall and touch it. We stood among a tangle of rugged, battle-weary men who were unable to believe their eyes or restrain their emotions. Their eyes were moist with tears, their speech incoherent. The overwhelming desire was to cling to the Wall, to hold on to that great moment as long as possible.” 5 His words give some idea of the importance to the Jewish people of the city of Jerusalem. So it is not surprising that the reunification is celebrated annually on Jerusalem Day, a national holiday in Israel. And special celebrations are planned for Jerusalem Day in 2017 because it marks the Jubilee of the reunification. Delegates to CFI Jerusalem’s conference will be present to enjoy the celebrations. Footnotes: 1. O Jerusalem, Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, Simon & Schuster, 1972, p259. 2. O Jerusalem, p535. 3. Jerusalem Day, Wikipedia, accessed 5th April 2017 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_Day 4. Six Day War, Encyclopaedia Britannica, accessed 5th April 2017 https://www.britannica.com/event/Six-Day-War 5. Reunification of Jerusalem, CAMERA, accessed 4th April 2017 http://www.sixdaywar.org/content/ReunificationJerusalem.asp 8 IN TOUCH • 2 nd Quarter 2017 www.cfi.org.uk
SPECIAL REPORT Briefing and Lobby Day Pledge for Peace There was a great response to the call for CFI and Zionist Federation (ZF) to join together this year and lobby MPs in Parliament. As we checked people in at Reception in the Emmanuel Centre we welcomed around 170 people to the event. Many had travelled hundreds of miles. In fact the coach from Norwich was held up in traffic and only just made it for the Israeli Ambassador’s speech. Central to the news that week was Barak Obama’s release of funds to the Palestinian Authority (PA), Brexit and the need for Article 50, and Donald Trump’s comments on moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. The briefing was chaired expertly by Jacob Vince of CFI UK and Eric Moonman of the ZF. We were honoured by the Israeli Ambassador’s input to the briefing – a first for this event. He called for all to understand that Israel is ready to talk peace with no preconditions. Bassam Eid spoke via Skype. He is an analyst for Israeli TV and radio, and a former Palestinian human rights activist. For many years his research concentrated on violations committed by the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestinian armed forces on their own people. He spoke of the negative legacy left in the White House by Barak Obama, and his concerns over accountability of the PA’s use of funds from the USA. In the afternoon we met at Parliament, where a full Committee Room listened to speakers from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Lord Polak (Conservative) reassured us of the Prime Minister’s stand and her understanding of Israel’s position. He endorsed the work of Priti Patel, who was a member of Conservative Friends of Israel when a back bencher, and said that some good coexistence projects are coming up for support by the Department for International Development (DFID). Joan Ryan MP, Chair of Labour Friends of Israel, challenged those who supported Israel to, “redouble our efforts for the Middle East’s sole democracy,” saying that we must offer an alternative for those involved in the conflict. She said the three pledges on our card represented that alternative. She continued by saying, “BDS is wrong in principle and does nothing for the cause”. She will be working on a new bill with cross-party support for these objectives and was enthusiastic about its potential. Theresa Villiers MP (Conservative) said she was “honoured” to be there and to be a strong supporter of Israel. Bob Blackham MP (Conservative) had commissioned the room for the day, and noted that, “we need a bigger room!” Caroline Ansell MP (Conservative) said that Israel needs “strong defenders”. She commended supporters for their commitment to the cause and encouraged all with the words: “what a force you are!” Matthew Offord MP (Conservative) spoke about his concerns over the BDS campaign, but also said that Israel has friends within DFID. Baroness Deech (Crossbencher) expressed concern that over the last 10 years a steady stream of complaints have come from Jewish students about anti- Semitism in various UK universities. She also mentioned the increase in Muslim extremism and that, as well as the BDS campaign, Israel Apartheid Week is supported by many Student Unions – yet it is illegal activity. She feared some universities were “no-go areas”, some worse than others. She supported the initiative highlighting to university deans the illegality of their students’ actions under the Government’s adopted definition of anti-Semitism. She thought that Brexit would make things better, that EU policy for Israel and the situation in the Middle East was bad, and that more should be concerned about the policies on Syria and Crimea, to which she got a rousing response! Other speakers included Ian Austin MP (Labour) who expressed shame about the annual disgrace of Israel Apartheid Week. He was also apologetic about the distress and offence caused by his party and leader. Louise Elliman MP (Labour) told the group, “You may not realise how important you are,” expressing the feelings of most MPs who support Israel. Finally, David Burrowes MP (Conservative) introduced himself as a Christian Friend of Israel – now in his 11 th year in Parliament and also at the Lobby day. He said that it was important for all networks to be active, and present in church groups and prayer groups, as we can’t rely solely on the established churches. He was keen for the Balfour Declaration to be celebrated in its own right, but also as a celebration of democracy. This annual Lobby Day is a highlight in the year for CFI UK and the ZF – we appreciate our links with the Jewish Community and encourage all our supporters to stand with them where they feel able. Jacob Vince introduces the Lobby Day meeting The Lobby was well attended HE Mark Regev, Israeli Ambassador to the UK The group of supporters holding up the peace cards Caroline Ansell MP for Eastbourne at the briefing facebook.com/cfiuk twitter.com/cfi_uk 2 nd Quarter 2017 • IN TOUCH 9
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In Touch Quarter 2 - 2017

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