"I was naturally disappointed not to have won seats, however there was clealy a very large swing to Labour across the borough and beyond and this affected all challengers, including the ICG.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign Questions Election Candidates

To discover their views on Palestine's future

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Palestine Solidarity Campaign surveyed candidates has questioned Parliamentary candidates around Britain to find out to what extent they would protect and promote Palestinian human rights if elected. This is to help you - the voter - to make an informed decision about who to support on election day, Thursday 7th May.

If your candidates have not responded please ask them to do so by visiting act.palestinecampaign.org/lobby/votepalestine

Mary Macleod of the Conservative party is the only candidate to have responded so far:

Mary did not reply to the questions about whether she would urge the UK Government to uphold the principles of equality, human rights and international law in all its relations and dealings with Israel.

She agrees that the construction of Israeli settlements construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is unhelpful but stop short of condemning it as illegal and unjustifiable.

On settlements, I agree this is something that requires urgent attention. The construction of settlements is regarded as illegal by the Government, but I think that both parties must accept that any future final status agreement will include equivalent land swaps.

She does not directly answer whether or not they supported the recognition of a Palestinian State.

She does not support the lifting of the blockade on Gaza, but acknowledged limited humanitarian relief should be provided.

The blockade has been eased in recent years ... but more needs to be done to alleviate the suffering of ordinary Gazans.

Mary disagrees that we should stop trade with Israel’s settlements.

Any boycott of Israeli goods would reduce our ability to act as a supportive partner in peace process and run counter to our call for dialogue with all parties.

Mary does not agree that the EU Israel Association Agreement should be suspended.

She does not agree that the UK Government should stop supplying arms to Israel, as they think that the current restrictions on arms’ licences are adequate and Israel has a right to defend itself

Israel is a long standing strategic partner of the UK. Our armed forces and intelligence services have a close working relationship.

You can ask the remaining candidates to respond by visiting act.palestinecampaign.org/lobby/votepalestine

Please come to the general election hustings on 15th April to meet the candidates. This takes place in St Paul's Church from 7-9pm.

April 5, 2015