MPs Bob Blackman and Louise Ellman and journalists Martin Bright and Alex Brummer were among the panel for a “Question Time” on Israel and the Middle East at Belmont Synagogue in Stanmore on Sunday.
A cross-party group of Harrow councillors was among the 180 audience for the discussion, organised by the Belmont for Israel advocacy group. QC and Belmont congregant Michael Caplan completed the panel.
Topics covered included Britain’s role in the peace process, dialogue with terrorists, the legitimacy of Jewish settlements on the West Bank and the boycott of Israeli products.
Ms Ellman criticised Palestinian leaders who “have not begun to prepare their people for peace with Israel.
“The Palestinian Authority has to start educating its people that the right of return for Palestinian refugees cannot be achieved if they want peace with Israel.”
Belmont for Israel’s David Levenson said afterwards that “occasions like this help to dispel some of the myths and distortions some people harbour about Israel”. The group was planning further events “to engage local opinion formers”.
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