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Lib Dems reveal Israel policy in election manifesto
At the launch of their general election manifesto Tim Farron’s party also condemned "Hamas’ rocket attacks and other targeting of Israeli civilians”
May 17, 2017 11:50
At the launch of their general election manifesto Tim Farron’s party also condemned "Hamas’ rocket attacks and other targeting of Israeli civilians”
May 17, 2017 11:50The Liberal Democrats have stressed their commitment to “a negotiated peace settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict” leading to a two-state solution.
At the launch of their general election manifesto Tim Farron’s party also condemned "Hamas’ rocket attacks and other targeting of Israeli civilians”, while criticising what is described as “disproportionate force used by all sides".
The manifesto, published today, also condemns Israel’s settlement policy, saying expansion “undermines the possibility of a two-state solution".
The Lib Dem document also suggests that the recognition of an independent Palestinian state will “help” prospects for a two-state solution. The party would support such a move "as and when" it would enhance the chances of peace.
The party said it would campaign against antisemitism and other hate crimes.
But in a move likely to spark some criticism they pledge to “scrap” the government's Prevent scheme – which aims to detect early signs of potential terrorist activity – and replace it “with a scheme that prioritises community engagement and supports communities in developing their own approach to tackling the dangers of violent extremism".
The manifesto also commits the party to reopening Lord Dubs's scheme for unaccompanied child refugees, saying Britain must meet its responsibility in allowing 3,000 unaccompanied refugee children already in Europe from Syria into the UK.
Urging voters to back his party on June 8, Mr Farron says: "To be clear, Theresa May’s Conservative Party is on course to win this election. Unless we make a stand, they will walk away with a landslide.
“The reason? There is a complete absence of real opposition from Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party.
“Where the Liberal Democrats are fighting every step of the way, Labour is holding Theresa May’s hand as she jumps off the cliff edge of a hard Brexit.”
The manifesto avoids any mention of faith schools despite a resolution passing at the party's recent conference which called for an end to admissions based on religion.
The party has pledged to include LGBT relationships in sex and relationships education (SRE) in schools.
