UJS to ‘make representations to Israeli Embassy in London’ over rise of far-right
In statement UJS said it wanted to condemn 'anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian racism and homophobia' of 'likely cabinet ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich' as part of the Netanyahu government
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
The Union of Jewish Students has confirmed it will “make representations to the Israeli embassy in London” over the “likely inclusion of far-right Minsters within the next Government of Israel.”
The student body said it wanted to “vocally denounce” the “likely Cabinet Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich saying they “do not represent the Jewish values we hold dear.”
UJS added:” We unequivocally condemn their anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian racism and their homophobia, and are alarmed by the rise of extremism and violence that preceded this result.”
Following a meeting and vote of UJS' National Executive Committee, which represents a cross-section of Jewish students, the following statement was agreed: pic.twitter.com/9iXturMCIi
— Union of Jewish Students (@UJS_UK) November 22, 2022
In a statement agreed after a meeting of the UJS national executive committee, they continued:”We cannot support a Government where these individuals are in positions of power.
“If we as a community call out the Far Right in Britain and elsewhere, we must not turn a blind eye to the Far Right in Israel.”
UJS confirmed it would now “make representations to the Israeli Embassy in London, to discuss these issues and the concerns of Jewish students in the strongest possible terms, and urge our communal partners to follow.”
They added:”We will stand up for the Israel that we want to see in the world.”
UJS said it will continue to “critically engage with a wide range of Israeli political figures and civil society organisations to advocate for a just future for Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and harmony.”
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