PM among Friends

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher took time off from affairs of State on Monday evening to be among friends in her Finchley constituency.

Mrs Thatcher had a tight schedule to keep, but she managed to spend nearly an hour with the Finchley Friends of Israel to celebrate their 25th anniversary.

It was an historic moment for Mrs Thatcher. Twenty-five years ago she had helped start the group with Queenie Weber, who is now the vice-president.

Chairman of the group, Frank Gibson, began by thanking Mrs Thatcher for the support and concern she had shown over the future of Israel.

“You are no fair weather friend,” he said.

He spoke of Mrs Thatcher's efforts to implement the Camp David accord and arrange a meeting between Israelis, King Hussein of Jordan, and moderate Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza.

Mr Gibson was with the Prime Minister when she toured Barnet's twin town of Ramat Gan in 1986.

“I saw how you were mobbed by enthusiastic crowds,” he said, “and how the people of Ramat Gan all loved you.

“Whether Israel exists as a State for 40 years, 400 years or 4,000 years, there will never be a more supportive, active or more sincere friend of Israel.”

Mrs Thatcher was clearly delighted with a picture given to her by the Friends—a view of Jerusalem painted by a leading Israeli artist.

“I don't always like modern paintings, but some I love and this is one of them,” she said.

“This has captured the play of the light on the buildings in Jerusalem.”

Founder chairman Mrs Weber was presented with a certificate commemorating 25 trees planted in the Israeli peace forest in her name, to mark her connection with the group.

Monsignor Roderick More O'Farrell, the group's treasurer for 25 years, was given an Chanukah menorah—Israeli candlestick. Joe Cookson, the Friends' secretary, and membership secretary Michael Grossobel (80), were also given gifts in recognition of their long service with the group.

Mrs Thatcher, careful not to tread on any toes, then spoke of the problems facing Israel.

“We had all hoped that in the 25 years we have had the Finchley Friends of Israel that we could come to a solution.

“But we are still searching for that solution,” she said.

“I for one am immensely pleased that the United States is, once again, taking a new initiative and new measures.”

It is important to never lose hope or stop trying, she said. “It is not for outsiders to try to find a solution—a solution has to be found with the people by negotiation.

“Most people wish to have peace and safety for future generations. Indeed, that is what motivates most of us here in this group.

“The solution that I have espoused as your Prime Minister is within a general framework of an international conference—the international community saying ‘look, this problem has been with us for a very long time.’

“We are urging you to get together and negotiate between yourselves to see if you can come to a settlement, not to impose a settlement—no such settlement would stick,” she said.

Then, turning to home, Mrs Thatcher made a heart-felt speech in support of Chief Rabbi, Immanuel Jakobovits.

“One of the things that has given me enormous pleasure since becoming Prime Minister is to have a little bit to do with commending the Chief Rabbi to be a life peer in our House of Lords,” said Mrs Thatcher.

“There is no greater admirer of him in this room than I for his tremendous wisdom, patience and understanding of human nature.

“The stand he has taken up, the moral lead he has unfailingly given, not only to his own community but our country, is absolutely outstanding.

“His contribution in the House of Lords will be beyond price,” she said.

“In the next 25 years peace is the most important thing, but it is not peace at any price. It is peace with freedom and justice, peace with human rights accorded to each person.

“Peace with democracy, because we should never take it for granted. We should always treasure it and should always be ready to defend it.

“So much has been done by this organisation,” she said. “And it is with that spirit we come together this evening, grateful for the past 25 years—eager to make our contribution to the future.”

Mrs Thatcher then made the most of her few remaining minutes with the group, speaking to individual members, many of whom are now old friends.