Theresa May gave an extremely encouraging speech on Monday.
Let's give thanks that, at the close of 2016, Prime Minister Theresa May has made no bones about the fact that she is a keen supporter and ally of Israel, which she has this week called "a remarkable country."1
On Monday, in a firm speech to the Conservative Friends of Israel, our Prime Minister described Israel as "...a thriving democracy, a beacon of tolerance, an engine of enterprise and an example to the rest of the world for overcoming adversity and defying disadvantages." She waxed lyrical about the shared values and positive relationship between Israel and Britain, emphasising her hopes for an even stronger friendship between the two countries post-Brexit.
Determined to Back Balfour
Crucially, in the face of parliamentary and civic attempts to derail the 2017 Balfour Centenary celebrations and force Britain to apologise for her role in creating the Jewish homeland, the PM staunchly defended the document as "one of the most important letters in history...[which] demonstrates Britain's vital role in creating a homeland for the Jewish people."
As for the centenary celebration, she declared that "it is an anniversary we will be marking with pride." Hopefully that will be a big blow to the anti-Balfour movement!
Resounding 'No!' to BDS
Not only that, but in the same speech she also roundly condemned BDS (the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement) and all attempts to boycott Israeli products and producers. In relation to the extensive economic ties between Britain and Israel (we are Israel's second-largest trading partner), she said in no uncertain terms: "We should celebrate that, we should build on that – and we should condemn any attempt to undermine that through boycotts. I couldn't be clearer: the boycotts, divestment and sanctions movement is wrong, it is unacceptable, and this party and this government will have no truck with those who subscribe to it."
This is a profoundly encouraging position for our national leader to take – and the fact that she is able to speak on behalf of her party and the current government is also very welcome. Having openly stated her support for Israel in September, in a letter to Conservative Friends of Israel's Informed magazine,2 we have all waited to see whether or not Theresa May would stand by this position in practice. Now, happily, she confirms our hope that we truly do have a pro-Israel PM!
This is a profoundly encouraing position for our national leaer to take.
Not All Positive...
Whilst thanking God for her bravely positive words (follow the link below for the full text of the speech, which is well worth a read), it is important that we also note those aspects of her speech that were not quite as encouraging – though whether they are indicative of her own personal opinions or simply of politically correct diplomacy is not yet fully known.
For instance, she condemned "illegal" Israeli settlements (i.e. in the West Bank and Gaza), showing clearly that she has not done her legal homework on the issue or fully appreciated the complex history of the region. The PM also clearly stated her support for the so-called 'two-state solution', which is the fashionable answer but a diplomatic dead end as far as Palestine is concerned.
Her celebration of her own efforts to eradicate anti-Semitism by cracking down on 'hate speech' (as much as her position on anti-Semitism should be celebrated) should sound alarm bells for Christians because of the potential for this ideology to be meted out in ways that restrict our freedom to declare the Gospel. Furthermore, it could easily be consolidated on by future governments that may or may not be so friendly towards Israel.
And despite the goods of her recent acceptance of an encouraging international, formal definition of anti-Semitism,3 contributing to global efforts to stem anti-Semitic behaviour and making it easier to prosecute perpetrators in this country, her assertion that "Islamophobia comes from the same wellspring of hatred" as anti-Semitism is worryingly misguided, especially when you consider how wide the 'Islamophobia' net can be flung.
So, we must be realistic at the same time as being thankful. Let us hope that Theresa May is not simply out to take the credit for Britain's role in creating Israel for the sake of securing some good trade deals. If we want to take the credit for our historic successes, you can be sure that God will also hold us responsible for our failings.
In the face of parliamentary and civic attempts to derail the 2017 Balfour Centenary celebrations, Theresa May staunchly defended the document.
Onwards and Upwards!
Neither is this necessarily a sign that Britain is turning back towards Godly beliefs and living. For instance, from this week 3-parent babies will be able to be made in Britain, in a move that bioethicists are already calling 'a slippery slope'.4 Also this week, Government-funded LGBT pressure group Educate and Celebrate have published a guidebook advising against the use of the terms 'boys' and 'girls' in schools around Britain, in case 'transgender' pupils are offended.5
Nevertheless, let's rejoice and praise God at this, the close of 2016, for small mercies. That our national political head is willing – passionately so, it would seem – to affirm and bless Israel on the one hand, and defend Christian freedoms at home on the other, is indeed the grace of God to us in this hour, for it will undoubtedly place Britain on a better spiritual footing for the road ahead.
"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." (Gen 12:3)
"Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, and whoever curses Israel will be cursed." (Num 24:9)
Make no mistake: the battle for Britain is raging all around us. All our prayer and witnessing efforts are needed – every hand to the plough. But surely this is evidence that it is worth interceding for our leaders, that this is a battle worth fighting - that all is not yet lost, even though there is much still to be done?
References
1 Full text of the PM's speech available here. All further quotes from here.
2 Read the September issue of Informed here.
3 As "language or behaviour that displays hatred towards Jews because they are Jews", including sweeping statements about Israel as a 'Jewish collective'. Quote taken from Theresa May's speech, see note 1.
4 Gallagher, J. Babies made by three people approved in the UK. BBC News, 15 December 2016.
5 Guidebook tells schools not to call children 'girls' and 'boys'. Christian Concern, 13 December 2016.