Hague Rejects Accusations of Bias

The accusations occurred at a closed-door meeting with thirty MPs from Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI). At the meeting, Douglas Carswell, the outspoken MP for Clacton, confronted the Foreign Secretary, telling him that, “The Foreign Office displays a kind of bigotry towards Israel.” Carswell added that, “You are being one-sided and saying completely unacceptable things about a fellow democratic country.”

Other MPs present at the meeting also argued that Hague and the Foreign Office are too lenient towards the Palestinians, while being overly tough on Israel. Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole, argued, “We give the Palestinians money to help the poor, but they spend it on hate education.” While Robert Halfon, the MP for Harlow, who is Jewish, informed Hague that “The Foreign Office has not done enough to stop the delegitimisation of Israel.” James Arbuthnot, Parliamentary Chairman of CFI, added that the Foreign Secretary should not “alienate” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hague pushed back against the allegations of bias in the Foreign Office and the personal attacks against his performance as Foreign Minister, replying angrily to Carswell: “You are living in a fantasy world and talking total nonsense. The Foreign Office is not pro-Palestinian. I have never heard such claptrap.”

It is estimated that around 80% of Conservative MPs are members of Conservative Friends of Israel.