The Israel influence

Ahead of parliamentary elections in the United Kingdom, MP Lee Scott appeals to British citizens living in Israel to make their vote count.

By AVIRAM ZINO/MAARIV HASHAVUA
British PM David Cameron in London in August 2014. (photo credit: REUTERS)
British PM David Cameron in London in August 2014.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
No fewer than 37,000 citizens or workers in Israel are eligible voters in the elections for the British Parliament, which will occur on May 7 this year.
Those who would like to vote in Israel can do so easily via the Internet.
It’s with elections in mind that MP Lee Scott wanted to speak of Britain’s stance on anti-Semitism, relations with Israel and relations between the UK and the EU to keep those in Israel with British citizenship involved in the politics back home.
Scott is Jewish, and his family lives in Israel. He is a member of the ruling Conservative Party, representing the Ilford North constituency, which consists of a mixed population of Christians, Jews and Muslims. He is an officer in the Conservative Friends of Israel parliamentary group that works to strengthen economic, cultural and social ties.
Scott reached out to Prime Minister David Cameron for comment on the state of rising anti-Semitism in Europe. Cameron reiterated the call that all eligible British voters in Israel exercise their democratic rights.
He said that as long as he is prime minister, the government will “fight anti-Semitism with everything we have got. Together we will see to it that Britain remains a country where Jews live and are proud to call home – today, tomorrow and for every generation to come.”
Scott was born on April 6, 1956, in East London, graduating Clarks College and afterwards London College of Distributive Trades. He has been married to Estelle Dombey since 1987 and has three girls and two boys, four of whom live in Israel, along with his grandchildren. Scott was elected in the 2005 general elections and he has served since then in the British Parliament. During the interview he revealed that as opposed to an average Englishman, he is a Eurovision Song Contest fan more than a soccer fan.
“I love the Eurovision, I was there last year as a representative of the government. The first competition was held on the day I was born.”
Is there anti-Semitism in the UK? In Europe?
It would be a lie to say that there is no anti-Semitism in the UK, but, look, I think we are very lucky in Britain, because it is a very safe place to live in, and also for Jews. It’s different compared to other places in Europe.
Our government is completely committed to fight anti-Semitism, and we operate to propose laws to strengthen our position. I read things written all over the world, but this is not the case in the UK, there is anti-Semitism in Britain, but not at the same level as in France and Central Europe. We have the media and the government who are opposed to it.... The right wing is rising, and radical Islam, there is no use hiding from it.
It would be inappropriate for me to talk about other governments in Europe, aside from my impression of them.
Do you think the growing Islamic community in Britain is at fault for the increasing anti-Semitism?
No. Anti-Semitism is unacceptable. The Jewish and Muslim community will continue to be part of the people of Britain. I think we have one of the best intelligence services in the world. We have a very high level of security.
In addition, I get thousands of emails from many British people: Jews, Hindus and Christians who condemn anti-Semitism. I have quite a few meetings with the leaders of the Muslim communities, and we have many matters we agree on. They feel as if they are under threat.
Islamophobia is also an increasing problem, not only anti-Semitism. They are also threatened by it.
Who is behind the radical Islam in Europe?
This is what I’ll say: How does it begin? There are individuals who act to radicalize, and there are more than a few. We should cooperate with Israel and examine where the funding comes from. We have a shared threat. We must share our intelligence to stop them.
There, we will find the solution to our big threat.
Does the progress in the negotiations with the Palestinians and the situation in Israel effect the level of anti-Semitism? Do the media have an effect in its reporting?
There is no doubt that when there are occurrences in the Middle East there is a rise in anti-Semitism. Regarding the media, let me give you an example. In the past, I have complained about our media. I have seen more than one case where a Jew committed a crime and they mention him being Jewish. Would they mention it if it was a Christian? These kinds of reports in the media highly concern me.
What do you think about the reporting of the current events in Israel? Is it biased? Do you think Europe understands the dangers of radical Islam?
The first obligation of any government is to protect its citizens. And Israel has the right to defend itself.
We cannot bury our head in the sand. I think certain countries in Europe are doing just that.
[For example,[ there were three girls from the UK who we believe have joined Islamic State. [In February, three British teenage girls flew to Turkey to cross the border to join. They have yet to be located or returned.] We have excellent intelligence services. There is no doubt that the radicalism must be stopped. Their behavior is of barbarians of the past. All countries must face the fact that we are all in this war together, and I hope Cameron remains in office and leads the way.
Sometimes, it feels as if the human rights organizations in the UK and Europe operate with a clear anti-Israel agenda.
In a couple of weeks, I will go to Geneva (as a representative of the United Nations Human Rights Council).
One of the things I will say in the UN is that I am concerned that they are late with the report about Sri Lanka. I have concerns about the way they deal with a number of issues. The Israeli government’s first priority is to defend its citizens. In Sri Lanka it appears women and children were killed during the conflict, and yet you see nothing about this on the news. When something happens in Israel, why is it the first thing on the news and at the top of the list of priorities of the United Nations Human Rights organization? I have concerns that there are activities based on popularity rather than facts.
Has anything been done after the last attacks in France, Belgium and Denmark?
 There have been many requests. As we speak, funds are being transferred to [maintain the] security of Jewish schools. In the past weeks we have intensified the security around synagogues. There are fears, but they are being handled. The prime minister has pledged to secure the well being of the Jewish community, and other actions will be taken in the coming weeks.
Is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial speech in the US Congress damaging to Israel’s image abroad?
There isn’t too much coverage in the British media on this issue. For the British public, Israel is just another country in the Middle East, and it is not in the top of its priorities as opposed to foreign affairs. There is a change happening in the world, many countries are on the verge of elections. The leadership in the world will change soon, and also in the US in two years, I don’t think that the speech will have such a great effect.
What about Cameron? Cameron is a friend to Israel, and that is how it will stay. He may be critical, and there is no problem with that, but no matter who will be the prime minster the Conservative Party will still remain Israel’s ally. I visit Israel six times a year. For me the most important thing is that people who are eligible voters in Israel know which party represents them and their families the best.
What about the recognition of a Palestinian state? Do you think it is an anti-Israeli act?
It is not British policy – recognition should be an agreement between states. It has no political meaning.
[The main topics that will occupy voters in Great Britain in the future elections are] the economy, the fact we are coming out of a crisis, the unemployment percentage and for the cost of living to continue to decrease.
Furthermore there are issues that concern every constituency, but these are the main topics.
Of course one of the main topics is our relations with the EU, we will have a referendum and ask the British public if they want to be part of the EU or not. Britain’s relationship with Europe isn’t working and needs to change.
Unlike Labor, Prime Minister David Cameron has made it clear that the Conservatives have a plan to negotiate a better deal for Britain in Europe then let the British people decide in an in-out referendum by the end of 2017.
Only the Conservatives will guarantee and deliver that referendum. Labor and the Liberal Democrats won’t and UK Independence Party can’t.
What do you think about the story of the questionable use of tax money for the Israeli Prime Minister’s Residence’s expenses? I believe you heard about the State Comptroller’s Report about the prime minster’s and his wife’s inappropriate use of state funds. How does it work in Britain?
In Britain we have a limit of expenses. It is very different.
We have freedom of information, everything must be published and online. We have legal restrictions about spending, if it exceeds the limits, it will be paid for by the elected official.
For British diplomats, citizens working in Israel, or those who came to Israel during the last 15 years, for more information in voting in the UK election go to aboutmyvote.co.uk.