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On 15th May 2011, a record 1,500 people participated in the largest conference in support of Israel to ever take place in Britain.

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Coverage of the conference to follow shortly.

On Sunday 15th May, over 1,500 people gathered to support one vital concept – Israel, a democratic and Jewish state.

Working through the rhetoric and misconceptions, participants learnt how to make a difference. Participants came from all backgrounds and were both novices and seasoned campaigners, Jews and non-Jews; politically active and not politically active.

The conference united behind Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and helped participants find their voices to engage with and support Israel in Britain.

AMONG OUR EMINENT SPEAKERS WERE:

  • Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for Defence

  • Gideon Sa’ar MK, Israeli Minister for Education

  • Natan Sharansky, Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel

  • Ambassador Matthew Gould, British Ambassador to Israel

  • Ambassador Ron Prosor, Israeli Ambassador to the Court of St James

  • Trevor Kavanagh, Associate Editor and Columnist, the Sun

  • Matthew Doyle, Political Director, the Office of Tony Blair

  • Rt. Hon Bill Rammell, Former Minister of State at the Foreign Office and for the Armed Forces,
    currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Plymouth

  • Professor Robbie Sabel, Lecturer in International Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Former Legal Advisor to the Israeli Foreign Ministry

  • Dr Tal Becker, Former Israeli Negotiator and Ex-Chief Advisor to Tzipi Livni, BICOM Senior Visiting Fellow

  • Colonel Richard Kemp, Former Commander of British Troops in Afghanistan

  • Amos Harel, Military Correspondent and Defence Analyst, Haaretz

  • Jonathan Freedland, Journalist, Author and Broadcaster, the Guardian

  • DJ Schneeweiss, Diplomat, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs

  • Luciana Berger, Labour & Co-operative MP, Former Director of LFI

  • Nick Boles, Conservative MP

  • Louise Ellman, Labour MP

  • Lee Scott, Conservative MP

  • Professor David Cesarani, Research Chair in History, Royal Holloway

  • Wes Streeting, Former National President, National Union of Students (NUS)

  • Chas Newkey-Burden, StandWithUs Advisory Board Member, blogs at www.oyvagoy.com

  • Yonatan Ariel, Executive Director, Makom

  • Robbie Gringras, Artist in Residence, Makom

Underneath the logos below, you will find a list of all the supporting organisations for the conference - literally too many to mention here!

We are delighted that Makom were part of the conference. Makom is an Israel Engagement initiative supported by the Jewish Agency that embraces the vibrant complexity of Israel and the Jewish People. Makom develops content and empowers Jewish activists, educators, rabbis, arts and community leaders around the world to develop deep, innovative and honest programming. Makom works with anyone eager to hug and wrestle with Israel and the Jewish People.

Participants were re-energised in their convictions, enriched in their understanding and confident in engaging with the issues. From inspirational to deeply practical sessions, with world leaders to expert educators, the best of the best came together for one reason – you!

AT THE CONFERENCE, PARTICIPANTS:

  • Heard from leading speakers from Israel and the UK: household names, leading politicians, and journalists

  • Discussed how we can work with different faiths, political parties, trade unions and other groups in society

  • Chose from over 30 sessions on theory and practice

  • Developed their personal knowledge and skills, from writing letters to lobbying Parliament and everything in between.

  • Found out what people in Britain really think about Israel understand who the anti-Israel lobby is in Britain

  • Discovered what they can do to be more engaged and effective
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A BICOM event, supported by the Academic Friends of Israel, the Assembly of Masorti Synagogues, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Fair Play Campaign Group, the Friends of Israel Education Trust, the Friends of Israel Initiative, Israel Connect, the Israeli Embassy, the JCC for London; the leading Jewish media outlet, the Jewish Chronicle; the Jewish Leadership Council, the JNF, Liberal Judaism, Limmud, Makom, the Movement for Reform Judaism, the New Israel Fund, Stand With Us UK, Tribe UK, the UJIA, the Union of Jewish Students, the United Synagogue, WIZO UK, the Zionist Central Council and the Zionist Federation.