Theresa May: There can be no excuse for hatred of Jewish people
2 min read
Theresa May will today declare vehement opposition to anti-Semitism, saying Britain “will not stand for it”.
In a speech marking the centenary of the Balfour Declaration that announced the establishment of Israel, the Prime Minister will warn that a “new and pernicious form of anti-Semitism” will not be tolerated.
Mrs May will host Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a dinner this evening, where she is expected to say: “We are proud of our pioneering role in the creation of the State of Israel.
“We are proud to stand here today together with Prime Minister Netanyahu and declare our support for Israel. And we are proud of the relationship we have built with Israel."
She will add that anti-Semitism in any form is “abhorrent and we will not stand for it.
“That is why the United Kingdom has been at the forefront of an international effort to create a new definition of anti-Semitism which explicitly calls out this inexcusable attempt to justify hatred…
“Put simply, there can be no excuses for any kind of hatred towards the Jewish people.”
It is 100 years since the Balfour Declaration - the statement of British support for a Jewish nation to be created in Palestine.
The decision sparked decades of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians – with activists calling on the UK to apologise for its role in events.
Jeremy Corbyn rejected an invitation to attend the dinner Mr Netanyahu tonight.but it is understood Emily Thornberry will go in his place.
The Israeli prime minister will also meet Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who said this week there was “no contradiction” in support for both sides of the Israel/Palestine conflict.
"I am proud of Britain's part in creating Israel and Her Majesty's Government will mark the centenary of the Balfour Declaration on Thursday in that spirit," he said.
"I see no contradiction in being a friend of Israel - and a believer in that country's destiny - while also being deeply moved by the suffering of those affected and dislodged by its birth."
But in a hint about the plight of the Palestinians he said a “vital caveat” in the Declaration to safeguard other communities “has not been fully realised”.
Mr Netanyahu said on Wednesday: "The Palestinians say that the Balfour Declaration was a tragedy.
“It wasn't a tragedy. What's been tragic is their refusal to accept this 100 years later.
"I hope they change their mind, because if they do they can move forward finally to making peace between our two peoples."
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