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54 Political support Partnerships ✡

across the country meet to be briefed on Then, in the afternoon, the lobbying While they come from all sides
everything they need for the day. That begins in earnest. Attendees meet with of the political spectrum, one theme
includes both a practical run-down their MPs in the Palace of Westminster emerges from the politicians every
of the act of lobbying – essentially, to discuss their views on Israel and year: the vital role that our lobbying
the ins-and-outs of speaking to their to remind them that they have con- plays in strengthening their conviction
MPs – as well as background informa- stituents who are unwavering in their to stand up in Parliament for the UK’s
tion on whatever subject we would be support for the Jewish State. And for only fellow democracy in the Middle
addressing that year. Past topics have those waiting for their pre-arranged East.
included raising awareness of Palestin- meeting, we are very fortunate that Having been involved at every stage
ian funding for terrorism and pressing there is always a contingent of friendly of the Annual Lobby Day for Israel, as
politicians to pledge to support peace politicians who pop in to see us and it is now known, I’m inclined to agree
in the Middle East. share their thoughts with us. with them.

A Gentile perspective by Michael McCann
At the first Zionist Congress Theodor Herzl proposed a radical programme for ‘The Foreign Office
political action, and his lobbying was a significant factor in the campaign for a
Jewish State. After that conference in Switzerland, Herzl wrote in his diary, “Were says little about
I to sum up the Congress it would be this: ‘At Basel, I founded the Jewish State. If
I said this out loud today, I would be answered by universal laughter. If not in five human rights
years, certainly in 50, everyone will know it.” Herzl died in 1904, but his predic-
tion proved to be accurate. Fifty years on from that first Zionist Congress, the UN violations in Saudi
voted to create a Jewish State.

However, it should be remembered became the international legal doctrine Arabia, but then
that the Christian movement for the on which British Mandate Palestine
restoration of Israel preceded what we was founded. votes to criticise or
would call modern Zionism by many But how does the soft power ex-
years, most notably in Britain. Indeed, ercised in the 19th and 20th centuries condemn Israel.’
many believe that Lord Shaftesbury’s compare with its use in the 21st cen-
labours paved the way for the Balfour tury? In Herzl and Balfour’s time, soft
Declaration. The Christian restoration power was driven by the elites rather nothing other than thinly disguised
pioneers and Herzl’s Zionist Movement than the general populace. Politicians anti-Semitism.
all exercised lobbying power. were lobbied by other people in power- But there’s another reason for lob-
Today the terminology used to de- ful and/or important positions. That’s bying, and it’s a reason that connects
fine such efforts would be ‘soft power’; why prominent Church leaders as well the events from Balfour’s time to the
the ability to shape the preferences of as titled individuals feature so repeat- present. Israel’s rebirth was not plain
others through appeal and attraction. edly in this narrative. sailing. After the Balfour Declaration,
It was during and after the rigours Some ask whether lobbying is as Britain embarked on a contrary policy.
of the First World War that ‘soft power’ effective now as it was in 19th and 20th Those actions were shameful, but glar-
came to the fore when the principal centuries. Unequivocally the answer ing contradictions in British foreign
Allied powers met to allocate League is YES! Indeed, there is an irresistible policy remain today. The Foreign Office
of Nations Mandates for the admin- argument that it’s even more powerful says little about human rights viola-
istration of the former Ottoman ter- today because it’s no longer a tool al- tions in countries like Saudi Arabia,
ritories in the Middle East. The San most exclusively available to the elites. but then either abstains or, worse still,
Remo Resolution adopted on 25 April Today we all have the power to lobby. participates in votes that criticise or
1920 incorporated the Balfour Decla- Common suffrage gives us that right, condemn Israel. For evidence, just look
ration and, alongside Article 22 of the but we need to recognise that the tools at UNSCR 2334, passed with British
Covenant of the League of Nations, for using soft power have changed. The support on 23 December 2016.
process has evolved from quill to pen to We, therefore, must remain vigilant
Michael McCann is the Director keyboard, and at the Israel Britain Alli- to confront the PSC, the BDS move-
of the Israel Britain Alliance ance (IBA) we have made it easy to turn ment and yes, the British Foreign
(IBA), a UK umbrella advocacy your convictions into action. Office. We must ensure that our politi-
organisation that partners with
Christian, Jewish and secular Of course, there will always be a role cians hear our voices.
groups to celebrate Britain’s relationship with for face-to-face interaction, but in the Human beings in general, and par-
the State of Israel. Michael was a trade union 21st century we need keyboard warri- ticularly in politics, tend to move to
official and an elected local councillor before ors for Israel, because Israel needs our the point of least resistance. I know a
serving as the Member of Parliament for East support more than ever! The Palestin- lot of brave politicians, but I also know
Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow from
2010 until 2015. Throughout his career he has ian Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and the some that are not. So, it’s our job to keep
been a staunch supporter for Israel. You can Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions them grounded and give them courage.
join the IBA at http://www.israelbritain.org.uk/ (BDS) movement regularly promote It’s our job to follow in the footsteps of
where one voice becomes thousands. a false narrative about Israel that is Herzl, Shaftesbury and Balfour.