In recent years, the House of Lords has provided something of a free hit to Israel’s enemies. In debate after debate, a tiny number of peers — such as the indefatigable Baroness Deech and Lord Mitchell — have sought to put Israel’s case, while others sympathetic to Israel have remained silent. So it is encouraging that last week’s debate on recognition of a Palestinian state was full of serious, interesting and energetic contributions from many of the newer peers to have joined the Lords. It is a mistake for past efforts have focused solely on the Commons; the tone and content of debates in the upper house also matters.
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