Robert Jenrick has reaffirmed his commitment to including a pledge in the next Conservative Party manifesto to move the UK’s embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem if he becomes the

party’s leader.

Speaking at the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) reception during the Tory party conference, Jenrick vowed to oversee the relocation personally, declaring he would build the embassy himself if "the Foreign Office or the civil servants don’t want to do it." His remarks were met with applause from the audience.

Kemi Badenoch, another leadership contender, also received applause when she stated, "Israel is fighting a war for the West," echoing comments she made earlier during a television interview. Badenoch emphasized the need for "moral clarity" regarding Israel, urging people to recognize the threats posed by groups like Hezbollah.

Tom Tugendhat, another leadership candidate, praised Israel’s recent actions against Hezbollah, reaffirming the Conservative Party’s commitment to supporting democracies that defend themselves. He criticized Labour's partial arms embargo on Israel, firmly stating, "To those who say there should be an arms embargo on a country defending itself against terror, I say no."

James Cleverly, recalling his time in government during the horrific events of October 7, expressed his solidarity with Israel. He recounted a conversation with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who had noted that Israel had many friends, but once its response in Gaza began, only its truest allies would remain.

Wearing a jumper with the slogan "Hamas Are Terrorists," Jenrick reiterated his call for moving the UK embassy to Jerusalem. He promised that under his leadership, the Conservative Party manifesto would officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and support the embassy relocation.

Jenrick also pledged to advance a proposal to allow Israeli citizens to use UK airports’ E-gates freely, a move he claimed was close to being implemented but was blocked by others in government.

The CFI reception, one of the busiest events at the conference in Birmingham, featured speeches from several prominent figures, including former parliamentary chair Stephen Crabb and Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely, who expressed her appreciation for the Conservatives' continued support of Israel. Shai Sjojat, the nephew of a Gaza hostage, shared a poignant account of his family's ordeal.

Kemi Badenoch, in her speech, criticized a group of independent MPs elected on pro-Gaza platforms, describing them as a "new threat." She warned that these individuals were not a minority and called for opposition to the ideologies they represent. Badenoch also voiced her disappointment over the suspension of trade talks with Israel following the events of October 7.

The evening event underscored the Conservative Party’s unwavering support for Israel, with party leaders expressing solidarity with the nation amidst ongoing tensions. Photo by israeltourism/Alberto Peral, Wikimedia commons.