I got this from the rapidly growing Yachad movement for israel and peace. At least they didn't boycott this highly successful and vital event.
Yesterday a number of Yachad's supporters, board members and our director attended the We Believe in Israel conference organised by BICOM and supported by a large number of community organisations. With over a thousand participants, the message was unequivocal: this community believes in Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.
As the conference was taking place, major unrest was developing in the region reminding us just how urgent and important Yachad's message is. As Palestinians marked Nakba Day, one Israeli was killed in a suspected terror attack in Tel Aviv and the Syrian border was infiltrated by protestors, alongside protests at the Lebanese border, resulting in the killing of at least 15 people and the injuring of many more.
At the conference, Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for Defence, addressing the opening plenary, was booed by a group of people, not insignificant in size, for criticising Israel's settlements, whilst affirming the UK's relationship with Israel. We need to stand in support of his core message: Israel's long-term security can only be guaranteed by a successful peace process.
The recent events in the region underscore the urgency of attaining two states for two peoples. We believe this is the only way to safeguard Israel's security and create a lasting peace. We are not naïve to the serious challenges and threats Israel faces. However if Israel is to survive and thrive we must move beyond an agenda defined by extremists - we must stand in support of actions that Israel can take to help make peace a reality.
Rosanne, we need you to help build Yachad. Please forward this email to your friends and family and ask them to sign up on-line and join the growing chorus of pro-Israel voices that stand in support of the steps needed to create peace.
This is the time to redouble our efforts - to ensure our message is heard loud and clear.