A bill introduced to Parliament today, calling for Britain to promote a fund to support co-existence projects between Israelis and Palestinians, has achieved cross-party support.
Joan Ryan, parliamentary chair for Labour Friends of Israel, tabled a 10-minute rule bill, which allows backbench MPs to introduce legislation. With the title of Promotion of Israeli Palestinian Peace, the Bill’s supporters include Sir Eric Pickles, parliamentary chair of Conservative Friends of Israel, as well as other MPs from the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties,
Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Ryan stressed the importance of “co-existence projects that bring together Israelis and Palestinians to advance the cause of mutual understanding, reconciliation and trust.”
However, she said, the world has invested “only around £37m a year in people-to-people projects for Israel and Palestine: less than £4 for each Israeli and Palestinian person each year.
