Here is David Cameron's full speech,
delivered at the Knesset in Jerusalem today:
"Shalom
le-coolam [Hello everyone]
"Mr
President, Prime Minister, Mr Speaker, Members of the Knesset, ladies and
gentlemen. It is a great honour to address this historic Parliament - for
sixty-five years the heart of the State of Israel and a beacon of democracy to
the region - and to the world.
"When
I was last here in Jerusalem, I came as Leader of the Opposition and I remember
being quite bemused as I sat listening to Israeli politicians telling me all
about the challenges of coalition politics. They told me about building a
coalition, keeping it together, balancing the demands of different parties,
sorting out the disputes and I just didn’t understand this strange system of
government. But after nearly four years as Prime Minister of my own coalition
all I can say is: ach-shav ani mevin [now I get it].
"What
I have always understood is the extraordinary journey of the Jewish people.
Thousands of years of history in this holy land. Thousands of years of
persecution. And even today, some people despicably questioning your right to
exist. My Jewish ancestry is relatively limited but I do feel just some sense
of connection. From the lexicon of my great, great grandfather Emile Levita, a
Jewish man who came from Germany to Britain 150 years ago to the story of my
forefather Elijah Levita who wrote what is thought to have been the first ever
Yiddish novel.
"But
more importantly I have learnt to understand something of Jewish values and
character and I have grown to appreciate the extraordinary contribution of the
Jewish people to my country and to the world. That sense of understanding has
shaped my determination to remember the past, my commitment to Israel in the
present and my hopes for Israel’s future.
"And
I would like to say something about each of these today.
"First,
remembering the past.
"One
of the most moving experiences I have had as Prime Minister came in January
this year, when I held a reception in Downing Street for 50 Survivors of the
Sho’ah. I met some of the most inspiring people and heard some of the most
incredible stories.
"People
like Harry Spiro who couldn’t understand why his mother pushed him out of her
house and off to the factory, when she was actually saving his life.
"Gena
Turgel, who witnessed her brother being shot by the Nazis and lost another
brother and two sisters before she was eventually liberated from Bergen-Belsen
and went on to marry the British soldier who freed her.
"And
Ben Helfgott who endured three years in a ghetto, two labour camps and three
concentration camps to make it to England where he was reunited with one of his
sisters, the only other member of his family to survive. Ben went on to
represent Britain as a weightlifter in two Olympics set up a society for
Holocaust survivors and was honoured in Poland for his reconciliation work
between Poles and Jews. And I am delighted that Ben has come with me here
today.
"All
of the survivors have made such an incredible contribution to Britain.
"And
one of the things so many of them have done – and which never ceases to amaze
me - is to go into our schools and share their testimony first hand.
"It
is hard to imagine the sheer strength of humanity it must take to do that.
"To
relive time and again the one thing that frankly many of us in their position
would do almost anything just to try and somehow forget.
"But
they do it because they share an urgent sense of mission that their story must
never be forgotten.
"I
share that mission too.
"And
I am determined that long after they are gone and long after we are all gone
their memory will be as strong and vibrant as it is today.
"As
a father, I will never forget last year visiting the Holocaust Memorial in
Berlin with my children and for the first time trying to explain to them quite
what had happened.
"I
want every child in Britain to learn about the Holocaust and to understand just
how vital it is to fight discrimination and prejudice in our world.
"It
is vital that we do all we can with our international partners to preserve the
site at Auschwitz, which I will be visiting later this year.
"But
we need to do more.
"That
is why I have set up the Holocaust Commission in Britain. A number of the
Commissioners are here with Ben and me today and as we visit Yad Vashem
together later today, our pledge to Ben will be that Britain will never forget
what he and his fellow survivors have taught us.
"We
will preserve the memory of that generation for every generation to come.
"But
remembering the past goes far beyond that horrific suffering of a generation.
"It
is about remembering the long and rightful search of a people for a nation. And
the right for the Jewish people to live a peaceful and prosperous life in
Israel.
"From
the early pioneers, the men and women of the Palestine Exploration Fund, who
saw the Jewish history in this land and the possibilities for the future to the
Balfour Declaration – the moment when the State of Israel went from a dream to
a plan Britain has played a proud and vital role in helping to secure Israel as
a homeland for the Jewish people.
"And
just as important as the history, is the partnership we are building between
our countries today.
"That
begins with our commitment to Israel’s security. On my last visit here I took a
helicopter ride heading north over Israel.
"Looking
right to the Jordan River and left to the Mediterranean Sea, I really appreciated
for the first time just how narrow and vulnerable this land is.
"A
vulnerability that has already seen 38 missiles from Gaza this year alone.
"A
vulnerability that just this week has seen the interception of the Klos C ship
- yet another despicable attempt by the Iranians to smuggle more long-range
rockets into Gaza. A vulnerability that has too often seen nearby Palestinian
schools being named in honour of suicide bombers.
"It
gave me a renewed understanding of what it must be like to be afraid in your
own home.
"So
let me say to you very clearly: with me, you have a British Prime Minister
whose belief in Israel is unbreakable and whose commitment to Israel’s security
will always be rock solid.
"I
understand the concern of Israelis who have seen land that Israel has pulled
out of, becoming a base for terrorist attacks. And I will always stand up for
the right of Israel to defend its citizens. A right enshrined in international
law, in natural justice and fundamental morality, and in decades of common endeavour
between Israel and her allies.
"When
I was in Opposition I spoke out when - because of the law on universal
jurisdiction - senior Israelis could not safely come to my country, without
fear of ideologically motivated court cases and legal stunts. When I became
Prime Minister I legislated to change it.
"My
country is open to you. And you are welcome to visit anytime.
"When
I saw the threat that Hezbollah represented to Israel and beyond I forged a
Europe-wide consensus to proscribe its military wing, a key step in the fight
against this enemy on your borders.
"I
have led the fight against anti-Semitism and extremism in Britain.
"We’ve
removed over 26 thousand pieces of illegal terrorist content from the internet
worked with the police and with universities to stop extremists spreading their
divisive messages on our university campuses and we’ve excluded more foreign
preachers of hate on the basis of our strategy for preventing extremism than
ever before.
"We
said no to Zakir Naik. We said no to Yusuf Qaradawi. And we said no to
Dieudonne M’bala M’bala whose abhorrent displays of anti-Semitism have no place
in a tolerant and inclusive Britain.
"I've
stood up to protect Jewish practices too. The Jewish community has been an
absolute exemplar in integrating into British life in every way but integration
doesn't mean that you have to give up things that you hold very dear in your
religion.
"When
people challenged kosher Shechita. I have defended it. I fought as a back-bench
Member of Parliament against the last attempt to do something to change this.
And there's no way I'm allowing that to change now I'm Prime Minister. On my
watch Shechita is safe in the UK.
"I
am proud to be pursuing the strongest and deepest possible relationship between
our two countries.
"From
our trade – which has doubled in a decade and is now worth £5 billion a year to
the world leading partnerships between our scientists, academics and hi-tech
specialists.
"Britain
and Israel share a commitment to driving the growth of high-tech start-ups. In
Britain we’ve introduced huge tax breaks on early stage investment and special
visas for entrepreneurs and in just three and a half years we have grown our
Tech City in East London from 200 digital companies more than 1300 today.
"Israel
is the start-up nation - with the second highest density of start-ups outside
of Silicon Valley anywhere in the world. As the inspirational President Peres
has put it: Israel has gone from oranges to Apple. There are now more than 60
multinational companies with research and development facilities in Israel.
"Israel’s
technology is protecting British and NATO troops in Afghanistan. It is
providing Britain’s National Health Service with one in six of its prescription
medicines through Teva and it has produced the world’s first commercially
available upright walking technology which enabled a British paraplegic woman
to walk the 2012 London Marathon. And together British and Israeli technical
expertise can achieve so much more.
"From
our scientists working on stem cell cures for some of the worst diseases on the
planet to our hi-tech specialists who are making a reality of the UK/Israel
Tech Hub - the first of its kind in the world I hope this visit can lay the
foundation for even more collaboration and even more business between our
countries.
"And
to those who do not share my ambition who want to boycott Israel I have a clear
message. Britain opposes boycotts. Whether it’s trade unions campaigning for
the exclusion of Israelis or universities trying to stifle academic exchange
Israel’s place as a homeland for the Jewish people will never rest on hollow
resolutions passed by amateur politicians.
"It
is founded in the spirit and strength of your people. It is founded in
international law. It is founded in the resolve of all of your allies to
protect an international system that was forged in our darkest days, to put
right historic wrongs. It is founded in the achievements of your economy and
your democracy – a country pledged to be fair and equal to all its citizens
whether Jewish, Muslim, Christian Arab or Druze.
"It
is your destiny. Delegitimising the State of Israel is wrong.It’s abhorrent.
"And
together we will defeat it.
"Let
me turn to my hope for Israel’s future. We all yearn for a lasting and secure
peace between Israel and its neighbours.
"Britain
fully supports the great work that American Secretary of State John Kerry has
been leading. And we believe that in Prime Minister Netanyahu and President
Abbas you have leaders who want peace too.
"We
back the compromises needed - including the halt to settlement activity and an
end to Palestinian incitement too.
"And
we recognise the difficult and courageous decisions both sides are taking not
least with Prime Minister Nethanyahu’s decision to release terrorist prisoners,
with all the anguish that can bring for affected families.
"But
people come to this Parliament from all over the world and talk about maps and
population numbers and processes and deadlines. They tell you how to run your
peace process. I will not do that. You know I want peace and a two state
solution.
You don’t need lectures from me about how to get there.
You don’t need lectures from me about how to get there.
"What
I want to say is something different. What I want to say is this:
"Imagine
what this land would be like if a two state solution was actually achieved.
"Think
of all the aspects of life that would change.
"Israel’s
relationships with the world. Its security its long-term prosperity and the
quality of life for all its people.
"On
Israel's relationships, imagine, as John Kerry put it: "mutual recognition
of the nation state of the Palestinian people and the nation state of the
Jewish people"
"Let's
be clear what that means.
"An
end to the outrageous lectures on human rights that Israel receives at the
United Nations from the likes of Iran and North Korea.
"An
end to the ridiculous situation where last year the United Nations General
Assembly passed three times as many resolutions on Israel as on Syria, Iran and
North Korea put
together.
together.
"No
more excuses for the 32 countries in the United Nations who refuse to recognise
Israel.
"And
for the Arab League, how many of those States today yearn for a different
relationship with Israel - which the peace agreement would enable them to
deliver?
"Think
of the capitals in the Arab world where Israelis could travel, do business, and
build a future.
"Imagine
Israel - like any other democratic nation - finally treated fairly and normally
by all.
"On
security, imagine a peace deal that would leave Israel more secure, not less
secure.
"Not
a temporary deal, broken by Hamas firing rockets at you or Iranian proxies
smuggling weapons through the Jordan Valley.
"But
a proper lasting peace that allows a strong moderate Palestinian government to
end the fears of a failed state on Israel’s border.
"A
deal that means an end of all claims – and an end of all conflict.
"Israelis
and Palestinians no longer each other's enemy, but actually working together to
maintain security against those who would seek to harm us all.
"On
prosperity, the possibilities of peace are extraordinary.
"This
is a region where demographics are demanding 40 million jobs in the next
decade, to keep pace with the rising expectations of young people.
"A
region where the thirst for higher education today will need to be met with the
jobs of tomorrow.
"So
imagine the engine of Israel’s economy fully unleashed to work in the region –
and to meet the needs that are common to all.
"How
to make the best use of land and technology to feed a rising population?
"How
to harness water resources so precious to all?
"Imagine
Israel’s technology working hand in glove with those making strides with
renewables - securing the future needs of their peoples for a time when their
economies can no longer rely on carbon.
"Imagine
the agreements ready to be signed off with every major trading bloc in the
world.
"Committees
deliberating not on what products to stop from Israel – but on what products
they can bring in.
"Imagine
too how this new future would feel.
"Because
this isn’t just about security and prosperity – as important as those are.
"This
is about justice for two peoples.
"Dignity
for the Jewish people and yes, dignity for the Palestinian people too.
"Generations
of Jewish and Palestinian children for once growing up in hope not fear.
"Israel
is a nation where around every corner there is a memorial and a reminder of
those who fought to create a modern Israel from the human tragedies of the past.
"But
those sacrifices were not just to build a State that was physically secure.
"They
were to build a state that would fulfil its rightful moral position in a region
where security, dignity and mutual respect would be the new watchwords.
"For
Israelis, a life free from the everyday fear of terror.
"For
the Palestinians, finally, the chance to live autonomously in a state of their
own.
"Imagine
if you could look your children and grandchildren in the eye and know that your
hope could become their reality.
"These
are the dividends of peace that I long for in Israel.
"And
I will do everything I can do help bring them about.
"At
the same time, we must be constantly vigiland about the wiuder challenges in
the region.
"These
are challenges we all face.
"The
threat of a nuclear-armed Iran and perhaps the greatest challenge of all, the
poisonous ideology of Islamist extremism.
"And
to people who try to say that Israel is the cause of these problems. I say that
fundamentally misunderstands what these problems are about.
"Take
Iran. Israel is not the cause of the shadow that Iran casts over the world.
There is no rule that says if Israel and the Palestinians make peace, Iran is
somehow going to dismantle its despotic regime or abandon its nuclear
intentions.
"That
can only be done through sustained international pressure. I share your deep
scepticism and great concern about Iran. I am not starry eyed about the new
regime. A nuclear armed Iran is a threat to the whole world - not just to
Israel and with Israel and all our allies, Britain will ensure that is never
allowed to happen.
"Similarly,
while of course, extremism feeds on conflict in the Middle East and elsewhere
Israel is not the cause of the poisonous ideology that fuels terrorism across
the region and across the world.
"We
must be clear what we mean by this term - the poisonous ideology of Islamist
extremism - and distinguish it from Islam. Islam is a religion observed
peacefully and devoutly by over a billion people.
"Islamist
extremism is a warped and barbaric ideology that ties to set our societies
against each other by radicalising young Muslims all across the world.
"At
its furthest end are those who back terrorism to promote their ultimate goal:
an entire Islamist realm. Governed by an interpretation of Sharia.
"Move
along the spectrum and you find people who may reject violence, but who accept
various parts of the extremist world view, including real hostility towards
Israel and the West, towards our democracy and liberal values.
"They
provide succour fort the men and women of violence - and we must confront and
challenge them too.
"That
is what Britain's approach to anti-extremism is all about.
"No
country knows more about the threat of terror justified by this grim Islamist
mind-set than you do here in Israel.
"But
we too have paid our own prices on the streets of London, elsewhere in the
country and around the world.
"So
we share your resolve top overcome this evil. And I believe that like our
closest allies, Britain and Israel have the history, the values, capability and
- yes - the historic responsibility to take this on.
"We
need a response that is tough, intelligent and patient.
"Tough
- in that it demands a strong security response. Whether that's military action
to go after the terrorists, or international co-operation on intelligence and
counter-terrorism.
"To
make sure that the Taleban don't take over Afghanistan. To support AMISOM
against Al-Shabab in Somalia. To support the government in Libya to build new
and effective security forces. To support the people of Mali, together with
their neighbours and our French allies to prevent a new terrorist haven developing
on our doorstep and yes, it requires a tough, strong security response to
defeat the Al Qaeda linked extremists in Pakistan, in Syria, in Sinai - and
wherever else they are found.
"But
second, alongside a tough security response must be an intelligent political
response. We know that Al Qaeda franchises thrive where there is political
instability and weak or dysfunctional political institutions.
"So
we must match a strong security response with a political approach that
addresses these issues.
"That
means supporting the building blocks of democracy - the rule of law and the
independence of the judiciary, the rights of minorities, free media and
association and a proper place in society for the army.
"I'm
a Conservative. I don't believe in dropping these things from a great height.
Every country must make its own way. But we should never forget those values
that are at the heart of our own progress.
"And
that means supporting the evolution of effective and accountable government and
backing people in their search for a job and a voice.
"Third,
we must be patient and resolute. We are in the middle of a generational
struggle against a poisonous ideology which is an extreme distortion of the
Islamic faith - and which holds that terror and mass murder are not only
acceptable but necessary.
"I
am convinced we will be fighting Islamic extremism for the rest of my political
lifetime.
"We
must tackle this poisonous thinking at home and abroad and resist the
ideologues' attempts to divide the world into a clash of civilisations.
"The
underlying conflicts and grievances that are exploited by terrorists are in
many cases long-standing and deep.
"And
the building blocks of democracy, which are a big part of the solution, take
time to put in place.
"But
this tough, intelligent and patient approach is the best way to defeat
terrorism and ensure our own security.
"And
we must - and will - pursue it with an iron resolve.
"Later
this week you will celebrate Purim.
"You
will recall the time when the Jewish people were under threat of extermination
in ancient Persia.
"And
you will experience a day of joy in memory of the way the Jewish people were
saved and freedom was delivered.
"All
of us here long for the day that the Jewish people can be free and safe in
their homeland.
"I
know the challenges in getting there are great. But far greater is the
friendship I bring from Britain - and the strength of our collective resolve.
"So
as I stand here with you and look to the future, my message to you today is
simply this: we'll be with you every step of the way.
"Anachnu
Beyachad [We are with you]."
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