Planting trees in the bastion of democracy – Jerusalem Post Israel News
The Jerusalem Hills are one of the most beautiful sights in the world. The peaceful, rolling green hills, thick with trees and vineyards, are world renowned and deeply evocative.
On a clear day you can see for miles at Jerusalems Yad Kennedy Memorial in the Aminadav Forest. So Ive been led to believe. Last Wednesday was not one of those days. In true British style, heavy mist had fallen upon Jerusalem and rain fell relentlessly sideways.
The inclement weather had arrived just in time for me to plant one of the trees awarded to me by Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) to celebrate my recent knighthood. This moving gift was a particular honor for me and Id been looking forward to this moment.
I first came to Israel in 1980 and fell in love with the place and its people.
Israel is a bastion of democracy in a region plagued by chaos and autocracy.
It celebrates and protects the same values that we in Britain cherish; the rule of law, free speech, freedom of movement and freedom of assembly.
The Jewish state has achieved a seemingly impossible amount in its young life. If more countries had set out to build modern democratic states and invested in their people and futures, the world would be a more prosperous and peaceful place.
Israel has changed so much since that first visit. With its high-rises and booming high-tech scene, Tel Aviv is a city transformed. The country is moving ever closer to achieving 100% recycled drinking water through desalination; a game changer for a country the very survival of which was only recently still at risk through its lack of water resources. One need only drive into Jerusalem to see the major infrastructure investment in the countrys road and rail network.
In sheer defiance of its tough neighborhood and limited natural resources, Israel has fast become one of the worlds most advanced countries.
Trees are strong symbols for life and the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund and JNF UK have done important work in making Israel bloom by planting hundreds of thousands of trees. It is a message of rebirth and new life. The sight of trees peacefully swaying in the wind as one leaves behind the horrors displayed at Yad Vashem is a testament to the peaceful future Jews have long sought in their homeland.
Its a privilege to literally put down roots in this country. It was particularly fitting to plant the tree so close to Tu Bishvat New Year of the Trees.
As the heavens continued to pour I picked up the big green watering can and heartily poured water over the young sapling. A truly Monty Python-esque way to conclude the moving ceremony.
The most important aspect of CFIs work is our program of parliamentary delegations to Israel. It is only by seeing Israel that you can begin to understand it.
The extensive itinerary took us from meetings with high-tech incubators in Tel Aviv, all the way to Sderot on the Gaza border (which has the unfortunate reputation as the bomb shelter capital of the world) and Ramallah in the West Bank.
No CFI fact-finding mission is the same and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus much anticipated visit to Washington, DC, provided an interesting backdrop to our visit. After all the hype and political gamesmanship, Netanyahus joint press conference with President Donald Trump provided no shortage of drama.
The prospect of a more public regional relationship between Israel and its Gulf neighbors is interesting.
The Palestinians, currently committed to a counterproductive unilateral agenda, are only really likely to return to the negotiating table with the support and encouragement from fellow Arabs. Shared concerns over Iran could offer a previously unforeseen way to securing a peace agreement.
President Trumps opening of the door to a one-state solution was a major error. Whether this was the latest careless remark from The Donald or evidence of a major shift in US policy away from a two-state solution, it will only embolden the wrong people.
Israels right wing and Palestinian rejectionists find themselves in agreement.
Let me be clear: any option other than a two-state solution risks threatening the Jewish, democratic nature of the State of Israel.
The importance of Israels need for defensible borders was brought home to us when we visited the Gaza border, and were reminded of the threats that Israel faces on a daily basis. An elderly resident of the Netiv Haasara moshav recalled how a Hamas tunnel came out of the ground just yards from a kindergarten, with the potential of carrying out mass Israeli casualties.
The trip highlighted that both Israelis and Palestinians do not currently believe that any progress on resolving the conflict is likely in the near future.
Young Palestinians we met with spoke of distrust of their political leadership, while Israelis were split on what a Trump administration would mean for Israel. The only thing the Israelis agreed on was their shared hope for a peaceful future, and that the country would be going into elections in the near future.
CFI and many of my parliamentary colleagues have been running a campaign over the past few years calling for the UK to allocate a greater share of funds we give to the Palestinian Authority for peaceful coexistence projects. We firmly believe that bringing Israelis and Palestinians together to break down misconceptions about the other is important to ensuring the long-term success of any peace deal.
One of these deserving charities is Save a Childs Heart, where we met a group of children from Gaza who had traveled with their mothers to receive life-saving heart surgery at the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon.
We also met a Palestinian trainee pediatric cardiologist; one of 120 physicians and nurses trained by Save a Childs Heart from the Palestinian territories and developing countries that then take their skills home. Projects like these transform lives and deserve our fullest possible support.
We also visited Beit Issie Shapiro, a charity providing cutting-edge services to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Its Sindian Center in the Arab Israeli town of Kalansuwa is the first early intervention center in the Arab sector in Israel.
It is radically changing how disabilities are viewed in the Arab sector.
As we were told by the parents of disabled children, their shared concerns for their children transcends politics and the conflict and regularly brings Arab and Jewish Israeli families together.
Interest in strengthening bilateral trade between the UK and Israel was also welcome. It is clear that there is much interest in Israel in the Jewish state and the UK negotiating a free trade agreement. With trade already at record levels, this offers hope of yet more shared prosperity in the future.
Its been a real pleasure playing a small part bringing our two great countries together. Thank you very much to CFI for this honor and the JNF/JNF UK for arranging such a memorable occasion. I look forward to visiting my own little piece of Israel for many years to come.
The author is parliamentary chairman of Conservative Friends of Israel and the prime ministers UK envoy on post-Holocaust issues.
Relevant to your professional network? Please share on Linkedin
Link:
Planting trees in the bastion of democracy - Jerusalem Post Israel News
- Harvards Fight Is a Defense of Democracy and Civic Virtue - Liberal Currents - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Members of Congress visiting ICE facilities are showing up for democracy - The Hill - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Irwin Cotler sounds alarm on erosion of Israels greatest protection its democracy - The Times of Israel - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Georgia: how democracy is being eroded fast as government shifts towards Russia - The Conversation - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- CONNECTIONS: We shouldn't be surprised that we still have to fight for democracy even after 249 years - The Berkshire Edge - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Depression Due to Politics: the Quiet Danger to Democracy - University of California, Merced - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Democracy v. Plutocracy: Breaking Up is Hard to Do - KPFA - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Indefatigable leaders of Indivisible Sagadahoc fighting to save democracy - The Portland Press Herald - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- More on the Abrego Garcia Case: Some Good News for Democracy, Despite the Government's Best Efforts - Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- AI, Fair Use, and the Arsenal of Democracy - RealClearDefense - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Opinion - Members of Congress visiting ICE facilities are showing up for democracy - Yahoo - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Democracy isnt dying in darkness. Its being killed off in plain sight. - Inquirer.com - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Letters: Valuing democracy and a nation of laws - Westerly Sun - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- MK Gilad Kariv on the fight for democracy and Reform Judaism in wartime Israel - Haaretz - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Austin Sarat: In a democracy, protest is good for the soul, even if it does not change anyones mind - TribLIVE.com - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Coups in west Africa have five things in common: knowing what they are is key to defending democracy - The Conversation - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Aos Fatos turns ten in the trenches for democracy - Aos Fatos - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Lost Jefferson letter on arms and democracy resurfaces for Fourth of July sale - The Guardian - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- This July 4, Lets Resolve to Win an Actual Democracy - Jacobin - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- What to the Slave Is the 4th of July?: James Earl Jones Reads Frederick Douglasss Historic Speech - Democracy Now! - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Democracy on the brink? Nearly 3 in 4 Americans say yes - Salon.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- This Week in Democracy Week 24: Trump Goes From Islamophobic Attacks on Mamdani to Antisemitic Tropes About Bankers - Zeteo - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Faith, Democracy, and the Catholic Duty To Stay Involved - The Fulcrum - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Katie Drummond: Democracy in the US is under threat. And that threat is facilitated by technology and the makers of that technology - EL PAS English - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Hundreds attend pro-democracy rally on the Fourth of July in Sioux Falls - Argus Leader - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Activists sound alarm over US cuts to programs providing internet access and promoting democracy in Iran - CNN - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Explained: Where SCOTUS' Nationwide Injunctions Ruling Leaves the Cases Against Trump - Democracy Docket - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Opinion | The Secret to Saving Democracy in the US Is a New Kind of Civics Education - Common Dreams - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Vermont Representative Becca Balint convenes a panel to discuss democracy and the Constitution ahead of July 4 - WAMC - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Talking Europe - Access to documents is crucial for transparency and a strong democracy: EU Ombudswoman - France 24 - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Defend Democracy Against Bombardments on the Elections Front A Three-Part Series - The Fulcrum - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Democracy in Dialogue project at BPL provides education and creative expression | The Hawk Eye - Burlington, Iowa - Daily Gate City - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Democracy Gave Us This. There Has To Be a Better Way. - The Nation - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Hong Kongs light fades as another pro-democracy party folds - The Conversation - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- How America forgot the best way to defend its democracy - vox.com - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Democracy in action: Self-determination in William & Marys residence halls - W&M News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- What Democracy Promised Us and What We Got Instead - The Fulcrum - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- This July 4, the nations top trial lawyers warn of threats to democracy | Opinion - Bergen Record - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Is the growth of executive power a threat to constitutional democracy? - Brookings - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Opinion: Lets look beyond the fireworks and recommit to democracy - Bangor Daily News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Capitalism and democracy are weakening reviving the idea of calling can help to repair them - The Conversation - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- DOJ Sides With Wyoming in Proof of Citizenship Voting Lawsuit - Democracy Docket - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Progress in key areas would benefit Trinidad and Tobago democracy, says Commonwealths final report on 2025 parliamentary elections -... - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Making Democracy Work: Having the right to choose with the Death with Dignity Act - TBR News Media - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Palestine Action isnt a danger to British democracy but this repressive government is | George Monbiot - The Guardian - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Not a Done Deal: After Senate Passes Big, Ugly Bill, Progressives Fight to Stop It in the House - Democracy Now! - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Koreas democracy and alliance with the U.S. are in good hands, not in peril - Washington Times - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- EU Should Act Against El Salvadors Dismantling of Democracy - Human Rights Watch - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Democracy's Discontent: Why Are We So Polarized, and What Can We Do About It? - Ideastream - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Another Tale of Two Uncle Sams: Mamdanis Unexpected Win and Hope for a Democratic Democracy - Counterpunch - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- The Tech Elites Takeover of Crypto is a Growing Threat to European Democracy - Tech Policy Press - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- We at Mountain Dew Would Like to Apologize for Our Role in the Destruction of American Democracy - McSweeneys Internet Tendency - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Descent into Kleptocracy: The Corruption of America and Trumps systematic looting of Democracy - Milwaukee Independent - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- On this July 4th, celebrate our democracy and tend toward the light | Column - Tampa Bay Times - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Election Matters 2025: Year in Review: Democracy Litigation in SCOTUS and the States - WisconsinEye - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- The Make America Healthy Again report shows how AI can undermine the US Official Record, and democracy - LSE Blogs - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- New Lancaster Museum to Explore Reconstruction Era and the Fight for Democracy - WITF - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- The Institutions Protecting US Democracy Have Turned Into Traps - Bloomberg.com - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Dissatisfaction with democracy remains widespread in many nations - Pew Research Center - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Poll: Most feel democracy is threatened and political violence is a major problem - NPR - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Poll: What Americans think about the state of democracy and how Trump is doing - VPM - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- The last Hong Kong pro-democracy party that held street protests disbands - CNN - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- They Demanded Democracy. Years Later, They Are Still Paying the Price. - The New York Times - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- New poll finds about three-quarters of Americans say democracy under threat : Trump's Terms - NPR - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Ford Foundation selects Yale dean and democracy scholar Heather Gerken to succeed Darren Walker - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Why democracy hinges on respect for the court and the rule of law - Deseret News - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Bill Moyers journalism strengthened democracy by connecting Americans to ideas and each other, in a long and extraordinary career - The Conversation - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Poll: What Americans think about the state of democracy and how Trump is doing - KUOW - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Damaging and Deadly Heat Domes Nearly Tripled, from Europe to the U.S.: Climatologist Michael Mann - Democracy Now! - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Poorly led, strategically inept and shorn of democracy. Now I truly fear for this Labour government | John McDonnell - The Guardian - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- More Americans think the U.S. is in a constitutional crisis than think the U.S. is a democracy - YouGov - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Five years on, Hong Kongs national security law extinguishes last standing pro-democracy party - The Guardian - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Comprehensive Road Repairs Begin on Democracy Boulevard, Expected to Last 10-12 Weeks - The MoCo Show - - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- We the People includes all Americans but July 4 is a reminder that democracy remains a work in progress - WSOC TV - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Right to Democracy and the America the Beautiful for All Coalition Stand with American Samoa in Opposing Unilateral Proposals for Deep Seabed Mining -... - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- In-Depth Exploration of Participatory Democracy and Local Governance Practices in Spain - United Nations Development Programme - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Information overload: Can we keep our minds and our democracy? - Lowy Institute - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Democracy Forward Boosts Appellate Bench With Latest Hires - Law360 - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Tens of Thousands Flee Gaza City as Israel Issues New Forced Evacuation Orders - Democracy Now! - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Poll: What Americans think about the state of democracy and how Trump is doing - New Hampshire Public Radio - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]