THE UK Government has refused to say if its ministers will attend a “conference against antisemitism” being held by the Israeli government in Jerusalem next week.
Israel’s foreign affairs minister, Gideon Sa’ar, suggested that UK ministers may be in attendance during a speech on Thursday, given in the wake of the killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington DC the previous day.
Sa’ar said that a “direct line connects antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement” to the murders, adding: “This incitement also includes official representatives of many countries and international organisations, particularly in Europe.”
The Israeli foreign minister then said: “This is an appropriate opportunity to announce the conference against antisemitism that we will hold here in Jerusalem in the middle of next week, within the framework of the Israeli presidency of IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance].
“The conference will be attended by foreign ministers and other ministers of IHRA member states, envoys to combat antisemitism, and representatives of Jewish communities from these countries.”
There are 35 IHRA member states, including the UK. It is the highest level of membership, above liaison countries and observer countries. The UK previously held the IHRA presidency, and hosted two plenary meetings of its member countries last year, most recently in December.
Labour have ramped up the rhetoric on Israel in recent days, cancelling trade deal talks with the country and branding the country's government "extremists". However, they continue to license the export of military equipment and send spy planes over Gaza.
Asked if UK Government ministers would be attending the Israeli summit, the Foreign Office declined to comment.
In January, Foreign Secretary David Lammy undertook a secret visit to Israel which was only revealed when it was publicised by the Israeli government.
In April, Sa'ar then visited the UK and met Lammy in another secret trip that was also not publicised by the Labour Government.
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP told The National: “Antisemitism is a hugely important issue and all responsible governments should work to oppose it. However, attending a conference held by the far-right ethno-nationalist Israeli government would be taken as an endorsement of its genocidal actions.
“The only priority right now for engagement with Benjamin Netanyahu’s regime is about ending the blockade of humanitarian aid and demanding a permanent ceasefire, to end suffering and allow the people of Gaza to rebuild their lives.
“Any meeting with Israeli officials should be on record and announced ahead of time. Holding visits or meetings and only disclosing them after the fact is unacceptable.
“There should be a complete change of practice by the UK Government, where engagement with the Israeli government only takes place with the urgent aim of achieving a just and lasting peace.”
The Foreign Office did not respond to a separate request for comment on the Israeli government’s conference.
