Israel absorbs its share of criticism in Europe, including the UK. But a number of British officials who toured Israel during the week of February 14 told Tazpit Press Service (TPS) that British criticism of Israel often comes from a lack of understanding of the situation on the ground. That makes visits from British government officials more important for Israel than ever, they said.
The visit preceded British Prime Minister David Cameron’s leveling of criticism at Israel this past week, for housing construction in eastern Jerusalem.Reports from the visiting delegation provide a different lens for viewing British-Israeli ties.
“Visiting Israel is a learning opportunity, where you’re not simply reading about what’s going on on a piece of paper but seeing what exactly is going on,” Lord Navnit Dhalakia, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, told TPS.
Tazpit Press Service (TPS)
{Matzav.com}
