 |
 |
| David Cameron, MP |
David Davis, MP |
Recent Activity -
Leadership Questionnaire
| |
|
| David Cameron, MP |
David Davis, MP |
“ISRAEL IS A FORCE FOR GOOD”
“CONSERVATIVES SHOULD BE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL BECAUSE CONSERVATIVES BELIEVE IN SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY, DEFENDING FREEDOM AND STANDING UP AGAINST TERRORISM”
In response to a survey by Conservative Friends of Israel with the two Conservative Leadership Candidates, David Cameron and David Davis have set out strong messages of support for Israel.
Both Mr Cameron and Mr Davis described Israel as a force for good, a standard bearer of democracy in the Middle East and on the frontline on the war against terrorism.
Mr Davis and Mr Cameron answered a number of questions on a wide range of subjects including, support for Israel , the peace process, Islamic fundamentalism and the rise of anti-Semitism.
Asked why Conservatives should support Israel , David Cameron stated:
“that Conservatives recognize Israel 's unique position as a lone democracy in a region that currently boasts no others . … Israel is in the frontline against terror”.
Mr Cameron stressed that:
“Conservatives also recognise Israel 's unique position as a lone democracy in a region that currently boasts no others. I am a strong admirer of what Israelis have achieved in the fields of science, the arts, business and philanthropy, and of the immeasurable contribution of Jewish culture to our own society”.
David Davis observed that:
“ Israel as a force for good in the wider world….Conservatives share many of the same values and outlook as Israel . Quite naturally therefore we should work closely together”.
On a peaceful solution to the Middle East conflict, Mr Davis stated that he preferred a two state solution.
Mr Cameron added:
“a long term resolution of the conflict, depended on the creation of a fully democratic Palestinian state:
“two states, two democracies living side by side”.
On Palestinian Corruption, Mr Cameron has urged the Palestinian Leadership:
“to live up to its responsibility to end the corruption, violence, prejudice and terrorism which has blighted their people's prospects”.
On terrorist attacks against Israel following the Israeli Disengagement from Gaza , Mr Davis stated:
“We also need to bring pressure to bear, together with the international community, on Palestine that with a new state goes responsibility to maintain order and take whatever measures are necessary to stop unacceptable attacks on the neighbouring Israeli state”.
Answering questions on the misuse of international development aid to the Palestinians,
Mr Cameron recommended:
“a clear audit trail for every pound, euro or dollar spent and denying funding to those individuals or organizations who cannot account for how aid money is spent or who have clearly diverted it for the wrong purposes”.
Mr Davis urged:
“Firstly more aid needs to be channeled through established non-governmental organisations which are independent of local political control. Secondly we should set up an independent committee to manage and approve grants from the UK and monitor their progress directly to the front line".
On Islamic fundamentalism, Mr Cameron suggests:
“Islamic fundamentalist violence, like Naz-ism in the past cannot be accommodated through political concessions or negotiation. W e also need a long term political strategy to strengthen national cohesion at home and extend democracy as well as human rights abroad”.
On Anti Semitism, Mr David states that t he greatest pressure we can apply
“is to ostracize those who preach such hate”.
Mr Cameron adds that:
We need to be vigilant about campus anti-Semitism and challenge those critics of Israel who allow their attacks to descend into denunciations dangerously close to anti-Jewish rhetoric”.
Answers from David Cameron MP
1. Why should Conservatives be friends of Israel ?
Conservatives should be friends of Israel because Conservatives believe in supporting democracy, defending freedom and standing up against terrorism. Israel is in the front line in the international struggle against terrorist violence and we should show solidarity with all involved in that fight. Conservatives also recognise Israel 's unique position as a lone democracy in a region that currently boasts no Others. I am a strong admirer of what Israelis have achieved in the fields of science, the arts, business and philanthropy, and of the immeasurable contribution of Jewish culture to our own society.
2. Why should supporters of Israel support the Conservative Party?
I am glad that there are supporters of Israel in all Britain 's major political parties. An understanding of, and sympathy towards, Israel 's position should be natural for most democrats. But there are special reasons why the Conservative Party is a logical home for friends of Israel .
Conservatives instinctively know that when any society is faced with a profound threat that the only answer is to be resolute in the face of that threat.. Conservatives have shown, both during the Cold War, and since 9/11, that we have the toughness to hold the course when faced with global challenges. Conservatives appreciate in their hearts what makes Israel strong – the durability of the Israeli people's values, the freedoms the nation has defended under considerable pressure as well as the vigor and creativity of modern Israeli society.
3. In your view, what is the most viable option for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict?
A long-term resolution of the Israel-Palestinian conflict depends on the creation of a fully democratic Palestinian state, which respects its own people's rights, living in harmony alongside an Israeli state secure in its borders, free from the threat of terrorism and respected by all its neighbors. The ultimate objective is clear: two states, two democracies, living side by side, in peace.
I welcome the recognition of the current Israeli government that steps need to be taken to help create a functioning Palestinian state, and I welcome Israel 's bold decision to withdraw from Gaza and parts of the West Bank . This creates new opportunities, and new responsibilities for the Palestinian people. But I am also clear that the Palestinian leadership now needs to live up to its responsibility to end the corruption, violence, prejudice and terrorism which has blighted their people's prospects, and hope that under the leadership of President Abbas the Palestinian Authority will now do that.
4. Have you been to Israel or have any plans to go?
No – I look forward to visiting.
5. What action does the Government need to take to curtail the rise of anti-Semitism?
The Government needs to send a clear signal that it will not tolerate extremism or prejudice of any kind. Anti-semitism is the oldest hatred and, as the Chief Rabbi has pointed out, it has now mutated to take new forms. We need to be vigilant about campus anti-semitism and challenge those critics of Israel who allow their attacks to descend into denunciations dangerously close to anti-Jewish rhetoric. We also need a much closer watch kept on those extremists, whether self-styled preachers or political activists, who spread anti-semitism as part of their campaign of hate.
I have proposed actions to help the Moslem community police extremist activity in mosques and elsewhere which serves no-one's interests. Government, individuals and all community leaders have a shared responsibility to tackle prejudice which, if unchallenged, can lead to hatred and violence.
6. Across the Arab world, incitement against Jews and Israel has reached horrific proportions. In the Arab media, Jews are regularly described as ‘bloodsuckers'. In Palestinian schools, children are taught that Jews are ‘descendants of apes and pigs' and evil. What pressure should you bear on Arab governments and the Palestinian Authority to stop this pernicious and vicious anti-Semitism?
There should be a clear linkage in British foreign policy between a nation's respect for human rights and the support we give it. Countries which oppress their own people, or provide a launch pad for campaigns of hate against others, should face not just diplomatic consequences but the loss of commercial and development support.
7. Since the Israeli disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, terrorist organisations Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have been given a new lease of life and are carrying out large numbers of terrorist attacks against innocent civilians. What action should the British Government take in conjunction with the international community to curtail activities of terrorist organisations in the Palestinian territories?
I agree with Michael Howard's view that Britain should work with the international community to help, if required, to keep the borders between Israel and Palestinian territories as secure as possible. We should be ready to help ensure that the Palestinian Authority has properly-trained personnel able to maintain security in Gaza and to fight terrorism, not turn a blind eye to it. I also think we need to bring pressure to bear, with the US and the EU, on the Palestinian Authority, Egypt , Syria and Iran to ensure they provide neither support nor safe haven for terrorist-related activity.
8. How should Britain deal with Islamic fundamentalism at home and abroad?
This is a vast issue, which I discussed in some length over the summer, in a speech I gave on the roots of fundamentalist violence (available at cameroncampaign.org).
In brief, we need to understand that Islamic fundamentalist violence, like Nazi-ism in the past, cannot be accommodated through political concessions or negotiation. We need tough security measures to limit the danger of fundamentalist terrorism. But we also need a long term political strategy to strengthen national cohesion at home and extend democracy as well as human rights abroad. Islamic fundamentalists exploit the marginalisation which exists with some British communities and flourish in those states abroad which lack effective political freedom. Both need to be tackled.
9. There is increasing evidence that EU aid to the Palestinian Authority is being misappropriated either by corrupt Palestinian officials and is possibly ending up in the hands of terrorist organisations. (“ Year after year, the donor countries gave money to the Palestine Liberation Organisation, and what happened to it? It was used to pay off Arafat's cronies, and a lot of it ended up in bank accounts in Zurich and in property. It is a disgrace” Minister for the Middle East, Dr Kim Howells, 26/10/05 ) How should Britain ensure that international development aid, either from Britain or the EU, goes directly to genuinely help the Palestinian people?
By demanding a clear audit trail for every pound, euro or dollar spent and denying funding to those individuals or organizations who cannot account for how aid money is spent or who have clearly diverted it for the wrong purposes.
10. Conservative Friends of Israel is one of the biggest affiliated groups to the Conservative Party with over 80% of MPs as members and over 2000 registered supporters (most of whom are Party members). How do you see CFI's role in promoting Conservatism and helping the Conservative Party to win the next election?
I want all the groups within the Conservative Party to have one common purpose. Working to convince our fellow Britons that we need a modern compassionate Conservative Government which will create new opportunities, empower those neglected by Labor, fight for freedom abroad and defend liberty at home.
Answers from David Davis MP
1. Why should Conservatives be friends of Israel ?
Because Israel is a stable democratic state in one of the most unstable regions in the World. It is a force for good in the Middle East and wider world. Conservatives recognise this and share many of the same values and outlook as Israel . Quite naturally therefore we should work closely together.
There is also a significant Jewish population in the UK which makes a substantial contribution to the Country and the Conservative Party. Conservative Friends of Israel for example is one of the biggest affiliated groups to the Conservative Party with over 80% of MPs as members and over 2000 registered supporters (most of whom are Party members).
2. Why should supporters of Israel support the Conservative Party?
As I said we share many of the same values and outlook as to the type of world we want to see. As I said in my speech on Social Justice recently, “ Judaism's teaching says that the highest form of charity is to help someone stand on their own two feet." This is a fundamentally Conservative philosophy. W e also understand the problems that Israel faces. We have shown both in our actions in Government and in our policies in opposition that we are strong guarantors of Israel .
3. In your view, what is the most viable option for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict
The best way forward is a two state solution.
4. Have you been to Israel or have any plans to go?
I've not been to Israel but I would love to go in the future to learn more about the country and the problems it faces.
5. What action does the Government need to take to curtail the rise of anti-Semitism?
Anti Semitism is emerging as a serious problem in Britain . In 2004, there were 532 serious anti Semitic incidents in Britain , an unprecedented figure and the highest since recording of anti Semitism incidents since records began. Anti Semitic incidents were 42% higher in 2004 compared to 2003, with record number violent attacks against British Jewish citizens
There are two key things we can do.
First and foremost, we can educate our children to ensure they are brought up with the right values and understanding of others. Britain is rightly proud of its tradition of tolerance but we cannot take it for granted. A decent understanding of British history is necessary for young people to recognize where we have come from as a nation, why we have welcomed people from different backgrounds to our country over the years and the great benefit they have been to the development of our economy and our culture.
Second, we can lead by example. As politicians it is particularly incumbent on us to fight racism and hatred wherever we see it. That means that we must be prepared to deal with genuine grievances in a straight-forward, reasonable way so that we stop the forces of hatred ever taking root in Britain . Happily the BNP failed to make the inroads they hoped at the recent election, but we must continue to be on our guard. I would hope that all politicians of all mainstream parties would agree with this.
6. Across the Arab world, incitement against Jews and Israel has reached horrific proportions. In the Arab media, Jews are regularly described as ‘bloodsuckers'. In Palestinian schools, children are taught that Jews are ‘descendants of apes and pigs' and evil. What pressure should you bear on Arab governments and the Palestinian Authority to stop this pernicious and vicious anti-Semitism?
The greatest pressure we can apply is to ostracize those who preach such hate. The recent unanimous condemnation of the Iranian President showed that the World community can unite. Words however are not enough and we need to work harder to ensure there are clear punitive measures applied to those states that promote hate.
7. Since the Israeli disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank , terrorist organisations Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have been given a new lease of life and are carrying out large numbers of terrorist attacks against innocent civilians. What action should the British Government take in conjunction with the international community to curtail activities of terrorist organisations in the Palestinian territories?
We need to step up our cooperation over security information. This applies not only to Palestine but worldwide. As the UK suicide bombers who went to Israel to kill innocent people shows, evil does not respect national boundaries and we need to ensure maximum cooperation between states.
There is also evidence that Palestinian terrorists are supported and financed through radical Islamist terrorism and that economic links have taken root in the UK to promote terrorism. We must step up vigilance on bank accounts and money-laundering to ensure the proceeds used to support terrorism are more effectively checked.
We also need to bring pressure to bear, together with the international community, on Palestine that with a new state goes responsibility to maintain order and take whatever measures are necessary to stop unacceptable attacks on the neighbouring Israeli state.
8. How should Britain deal with Islamic fundamentalism at home and abroad?
The threat of radical Islamist terrorism is the greatest danger the West has faced since the height of the Cold War. Unlike communism, this armed doctrine is not armed with the nuclear weapon. There is no higher priority than to prevent its gaining one. But there is another respect in which Islamic extremism is like Communism: it is fundamentally weak and it is fundamentally doomed. It offers nothing to those Muslims who want to improve their lives and their children's future. Its challenge to the West is expressed through terror, because that is the timeless weapon employed by those who cannot build a majority for their view. Our task, in response, is threefold. We have to prevent the extremists seizing a failed or failing state. We must pursue and destroy Al-Qa'eda wherever they gather. And time and again we must remind the moderate Muslim world that this is their struggle, as well as ours.
We must also ensure that radical religious groups are not allowed to take advantage of British democracy and proud history of tolerance and multiculturalism to undermine good community relations. Islamic teaching for example should be within the bounds of acceptable behaviour in British society.
9. There is increasing evidence that EU aid to the Palestinian Authority is being misappropriated either by corrupt Palestinian officials and is possibly ending up in the hands of terrorist organisations. (“ Year after year, the donor countries gave money to the Palestine Liberation Organisation, and what happened to it? It was used to pay off Arafat's cronies, and a lot of it ended up in bank accounts in Zurich and in property. It is a disgrace” Minister for the Middle East, Dr Kim Howells, 26/10/05 ) How should Britain ensure that international development aid, either from Britain or the EU, goes directly to genuinely help the Palestinian people?
I think there are two principles we should put forward to ensure that aid goes directly to the Palestinian people. Firstly more aid needs to be channelled through established non-governmental organisations which are independent of local political control. Secondly we should set up an independent committee to manage and approve grants from the UK and monitor their progress directly to the front line.
10. Conservative Friends of Israel is one of the biggest affiliated groups to the Conservative Party with over 80% of MPs as members and over 2000 registered supporters (most of whom are Party members). How do you see CFI's role in promoting Conservatism and helping the Conservative Party to win the next election?
CFI should continue to have a significant role in policy development both in foreign policy but also in domestic policies. As I said we share very similar values and outlook on life and we can learn off each other how best to put those ideals into practice.
CFI have also shown themselves to be particularly skilful in building up links with the business community and other professional networks and have held many successful events which have contributed substantially to Party funds. I look forward to a close working relationship in the future.
* Promoting Conservatism * Supporting Israel * Fighting Terrorism * Combating Antisemitism * Peaceful Co-existence *
Copied from Conservative Friends of Israel