Eric Pickles, at The Blogs

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Dec 18, 2019, 1:34 PM

Now the election is over – the best is yet to come for UK-Israel ties

Israeli and British flags (Jewish News)

Lord Sacks, in a debate in the House of Lords said for Antisemitism to become a problem in society three things had to happen. Firstly, Antisemitism spreads from the fringes to a mainstream political party. Secondly, that those who oppose it are vilified and shouted...

Jun 21, 2018, 2:02 PM

William will see the real Israel we know and love

Make no mistake: Tuesday is a massive day for the Middle East, for the monarchy and, in particular, for Israel. Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, second in line to the throne, will make the first official visit of the Royal family to Israel. The...

Mar 14, 2018, 5:35 PM

Let Prince William see the real Israel with all it’s vibrancy, innovation and compassion

They say everything is bigger in America. Having attended AIPAC’s annual political convention in the US capitol last week, nothing had prepared me for this “super sized” get together. It was good to meet old friends and to make new ones As a first-time visitor...

Jun 15, 2017, 12:13 PM

How did Corbyn’s comments on Hamas not put off voters?

As Big Ben’s chime rang out at 10pm last Thursday, the BBC’s General Election exit poll was revealed. A possible hung Parliament. Impossible, screamed the Conservatives and, I’m sure, plenty in the Labour Party. Going into election day, Conservative strategists and candidates had still expected...

Jan 26, 2017, 11:35 AM

We pledge to survivors: your legacy is secure

In his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Elie Wiesel said: “What all victims need above all is to know that they are not alone; that we are not forgetting them; that when their voices are stifled we shall lend them ours; that while their freedom...

Aug 5, 2016, 5:21 PM

British taxpayers let down by gross abuses of Palestinian aid

The allegation that the director of an internationally respected and funded NGO has been brazenly siphoning international aid money to the terror activities of Hamas is chilling. The Hamas-trained director of the Gaza branch of World Vision, Mohammed el-Halabi, has allegedly diverted up to $50 million...

Jul 11, 2016, 5:32 PM

Calm, composed and completely unflappable. That’s Theresa

It was a sunny afternoon on 22 May 2013 when my views on Theresa May truly crystallised. I was thinking about leaving London for home when I received a text from my office to say there was a serious incident in Woolwich, with a soldier...

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About Me

Lord Eric Pickles is the former Communities Secretary, and ex-Parliamentary chair of Conservative Friends of Israel. He is the current Special Envoy for post-Holocaust issues and co-chair of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation's advisory board.