MARGARET THATCHER TRIBUTE

Shalom Lady T

JEWRY and the State of Israel lost a true friend with the death of Baroness Thatcher.

For the Iron Lady, who died on Monday aged 87, loved Israel with a passion.

Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks this week described her as a "giant".

"She was loved and admired by many in the Jewish community who will miss her deeply," he added.

"Few people in my lifetime have left such a personal imprint on British life."

Baroness Thatcher - the daughter of a Grantham grocer - was the first British prime minister to visit Israel.

She had a record number of Jews in her Cabinet and was a strong advocate for the release of Soviet Jews.

"She was a staunch friend of Israel and the Jewish people," said Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who knew her personally.

"She was truly a great leader, a woman of principle, of determination, of conviction, of strength - a woman of greatness."

Netanyahu is making plans to be at the baroness's funeral on Wednesday.

His office said that the Thatcher family had personally requested that he attend.

President Shimon Peres was also invited to be there, but after discussions it was decided that Netanyahu should travel alone.

 
© 2013 Jewish Telegraph

www.JewishTelegraph.com