Priti Patel’s resignation

If what is reported about the resignation of Priti Patel as the UK’s international development secretary is the whole truth (“UK minister bows out over unapproved Israel meetings,” November 9), our government and citizens should issue a strong protest.

The organizations and innovators with whom Patel met are internationally recognized as among the world’s most idealistic and effectual in working to solve exactly what her brief called for – international development. Since no reasonable person could object to the UK’s learning from such groups as IsraAid, Save a Child’s Heart and Energiya Global Capital, the real question is why the meetings had to be conducted in secret. I think we all know the answer.

CAROL CLAPSADDLE Jerusalem

No one could miss the extent of the coverage on television and in the newspapers in Britain given to the resignation of Priti Patel.

I can understand her interest in the unique and fascinating country that the world’s media seem to hate. What is wrong with showing an interest in Israel in a private capacity, as she did? Would such an outcry be heard if this had happened in some other country?

Britain’s foreign policy was clearly outlined in the coverage – that the UK does not recognize Israel’s control of the Golan Heights, the same as it decries any Jewish settlement in the heartland of biblical Judea and Samaria, which Israel’s opponents prefer to call the “West Bank.”

Britain’s constant denial of Israel’s rights in these disputed areas is of great concern to those who value the Judeo-Christian values passed down from the Jewish people. Only due to the Holocaust was there enough sympathy to allow Jews to return to the land of their forefathers as a safer option than the ghettos of Europe and gas chambers of Auschwitz and Buchenwald. The Bible clearly states that “the Lord loveth the gates of Zion” (Psalm 87:2), yet the British government seems ready to allow the whole of the historic Old City of Jerusalem to become an Islamic caliphate.

The bias shows exactly where Britain stands concerning Israel: ambivalent, at best. It is a long way since the evangelical fervor that brought about the Balfour Declaration 100 years ago. But back then, Great Britain was clearly blessed by God. Other great empires fell after their mistreatment of the Jews. As the Scripture says, “He that toucheth you [Israel] toucheth the apple of My eye” (Zechariah 2:8).

Ms. Patel should be proud of her visit to Israel and not be intimidated by her pro-Arabist peers who edge into antisemitic views with their anti-Israel rhetoric.

COLIN NEVIN Bangor, Northern Ireland

The furor in Britain’s parliament surrounding the visit to Israel by Priti Patel and her meetings with various groups and Israeli Knesset members is exaggerated and misplaced, and smacks of antisemitism. I find it very hard to believe that a person of her experience and political knowhow would initiate meetings with representatives of a foreign country without prior and full knowledge of her government.

Had Ms. Patel been in an Arab country and conducted “clandestine” meetings, she no doubt would have been congratulated for her initiative!

DAVID S. ADDLEMAN Mevaseret Zion