Israel's case must be heard - The Jewish Chronicle

I spend a lot of time with the British Jewish community. I hear considerable support for Israel's resilience, creativity and innovation; our economy and arts; our moral fortitude, including our purity of arms. I hear support for what the state embodies and represents - the realisation of the millennia-long Jewish yearning for freedom in our historic homeland.

I also hear anxiety and pain - about Israel's direction and circumstances, about public discourse surrounding Israel, and about the impact of that discourse on Jews here - from true friends who devote time, money and energy helping Israel and from those who see how distorted debate on Israel has become and feel frustrated when even committed friends seem unable to see it.

I hear frequent criticism of Israel, some deserved, but much unfair and unhelpful. It is surprising, therefore, that Mick Davis's public expression of critical views should make such a splash. They were hardly Wikileaks-style revelations. More surprising is the characterisation of such statements as "brave". By what version of reality does a panel discussion in North London constitute bravery? Leading troops into battle - that's brave. Standing up for Israel on British campuses is brave. So, too, is Israel's Prime Minister declaring at Bar Ilan University a commitment to establishing a Palestinian state, despite so many years of Palestinian rejectionism and hostility. So is pushing a sceptical Israeli cabinet to agree to a settlement freeze to promote genuine peace negotiations – and then trying again a second time, even though the first freeze didn't work.

Israel hears criticism. We listen. But every hour of every day, Israel's leaders face historic life or death decisions.

While well-intentioned, much recent criticism is misplaced. It does, however, highlight how even among staunch friends and supporters of Israel, which Mick Davis certainly is, the narrative of Israel's enemies is setting the agenda. Talk of Israel "losing its moral compass" or becoming "de facto an apartheid state" is straight from our opponents' lexicon.

Every day, Israel's leaders face life or death decisions

The fundamental priority behind everything we do is the well-being of our people in our land. We must better explain our challenges - from enemies seeking our destruction and from campaigners waging propaganda wars without ever helping us build real peace.

We must also do more to celebrate the achievements of which we and our diaspora partners are justifiably proud, in education, science and the arts; as a society which has absorbed immigrants from every corner of the world to create a democracy as vibrant, animated and accountable as any.

We need Anglo-Jewry to stand up and say what is on your mind, not only about Israel, but about those who challenge Israel. Israel and the Jewish community are facing a new kind of war, one that hijacks the language of law and human rights to target our legitimacy. While some criticism might make sense, it lacks sensibility. To paraphrase another Jane Austen title, I urge the Jewish community to stand with more pride for Israel, before addressing the prejudice of our critics.

Let's harness our shared commitment towards a thriving Israel, by ensuring Israel enjoys the diplomatic understanding essential for true peace; by demanding that Iran's nuclear ambitions receive a firm, unified international response; by educating all people, especially our young, on the unbreakable unity of the Jewish people.

In recent days I have spoken with leaders from across the community. We agree that we need more, not less. More trips to Israel for Jewish youth; more outreach to boost understanding of Israel and its place in Jewish hearts; more pro-Israel activism on campus; more academic and cultural exchange between Israel and Britain; more investment in Israel; more pride in Israel, not less.

We need more bravery, too - real bravery - to tell all governments when they are wrong, not just Israel's; to challenge the media when it distorts the truth and demonises Israel; to call openly and unashamedly for unions, churches and others to end the vilification of Israel. We must not only reach out to moderates but also urge them to stand resolutely against those who promote violence, terror and hatred.

I am proud to represent the state of Israel and proud of what it represents. Israel and the Jewish community must work in partnership to make Israel's case with greater conviction and impact than ever before. This is the agenda that unites us all. This is the agenda that, together, we must strive to promote.