LONDON (EJP)--- Three British Members of Parliament have been recognised for their work and support of Israel at a reception in the House of Commons.

Conservative MP David Gauke, Labour MP Barbara Keeley and Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament Baroness Sara Ludford were presented with a silver ‘tzdaka’ [charity] box in recognition for the work they do in support of Israel.

The all-party reception, hosted by the Ambassador of Israel to the UK Zvi Heifetz together with Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel, was held last week.

Release call

Each of the politicians have played a significant role in supporting Israel in recent years.

Labour MP Barbara Keeley

Gauke was responsible for introducing a Parliamentary motion last November calling for the unconditional release of the three kidnapped Israeli soldiers, Ehud Goldwasser, Eldad Regev and Gilad Shalit.

The MP has been a member of the Conservative Friends of Israel since March 2001. Last February he initiated a debate on Iran’s nuclear programme and has spoken up in various debates and foreign office questions on Israel and the Middle East.

Keeley, meanwhile, is vice chair of Labour Friends of Israel and has an interest in the role of women in the peace process, she has visited the region and met with representatives of the New Israel Fund. She worked on the 2006 all-party investigation into anti-Semitism. The report called for urgent action from government, police, prosecution services, universities and the Jewish community, to tackle a disturbing rise in anti-Semitism in the UK.

And Baroness Ludford is a well-known supporter of Holocaust remembrance.

Speaking at the European Parliament in December, Baroness Ludford said: “I hope the European Council will express its condemnation of the Holocaust Conference - or, more accurately, the ‘Holocaust Denial Conference’ - just held in Iran. I appreciate the fact that the President of Parliament did just that this morning. It is essential that the European Union makes clear at the highest level - that of the assembled Prime Ministers - its opposition to this outrageous exercise in mischief and hate.”

Conservative MP David Gauke

Good relationship

Ambassador Heifetz welcomed the large number of Members of Parliament who attended saying it “was testimony to the strong and lasting bond between the UK and Israel”. He said: “You are here tonight are contributing much to the UK’s good relationship with Israel.”

He added: “We appreciate your presence here tonight, I know that sometimes even the best of friends do not agree on every issue but our discussions are always constructive. One thing I can assure you is that we will not let you down, we will explore every avenue in our pursuit for peace. After all it is in our interest to achieve peace as soon as possible.”

Jane Kennedy MP, chairman of Labour Friends of Israel introduced proceeding and James Arbuthnot MP, chairman of the Conservative Friends of Israel, thanked the ambassador for hosting the reception.

Speaking at the reception, Arbuthnot said: “Israel’s struggle is a struggle for her very existence. I think we should congratulate the winners for their fantastic friendship of Israel, something which is needed on a daily basis.