UK Politics: Pro-Israel Influence
Andrew Mitchell Excerpts(1 week, 4 days ago)
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John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (Con)
I beg to move,
That this House has considered e-petition 752646 relating to pro-Israel influence on UK politics and democracy.
It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mrs Harris.
Sir Andrew Mitchell (Sutton Coldfield) (Con)
On a point of order, Mrs Harris. This is no criticism of my hon. Friend the Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (John Lamont), who introduces the debate on behalf of the Petitions Committee, but am I alone in feeling distinctly uneasy about this debate? Why is Israel singled out in this way? Why not Gulf countries, Iran, eastern Europe or the USA? The petition is being discussed at a time when the Jewish community are clearly under threat and are suffering numerous hideous attacks. I am not sure I trust the motivation of the petition organisers. I fear the whole thing smacks of an antisemitic conspiracy theory.