About LFI
Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) was founded in October 1957 at a public rally during the annual Labour Party Conference. Anthony Greenwood MP was appointed its first Chair. For over 50 years LFI has remained one of the most active groups in the Labour Party, drawing wide support from ministers, MPs, MEPs, peers, members of the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament, advisers and activists.
Ensuring a balanced and constructive debate on the Middle East in the British political arena is our principal aim. LFI briefings, publications, seminars and delegations to the region provide understanding of the intricacies, nuances and personalities behind one of the most important issues in international politics. LFI aims to strengthen relations between the Labour Party and our sister Israeli Labor Party.
LFI is wholly and actively committed to a two-state solution which means Israel living in peace with her neighbours and the establishment of a viable and democratic Palestinian state. LFI works with both Israelis and Palestinian moderates led by President Abbas in the West Bank, to take forward the Middle East peace process. LFI delegations to the region include high level meetings with Israeli and Palestinian ministers, members of the Israeli Labor Party, academics and opinion formers.
There have been significant developments in the region during the last few years, which those advocating a peaceful resolution to the conflict have had to respond to. While the controversial security barrier nears completion, Israel has disengaged from the Gaza Strip. In 2006, Israel fought a war with Hezbollah in Lebanon and in 2009 carried out a devastating military operation in the Gaza Strip in response to eight years of Hamas mortar, rocket and missile attacks against its southern communities.
The Annapolis peace conference launched in November 2007 was the first peace process between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority since 2001. In 2008, Turkey mediated a series of indirect talks between Israel and Syria. Negotiations on both these peace tracks have, however, stalled. The new Likud-led coalition, including the Labor party, will have to deal with the immediate challenges of re-launching the peace process as well as exploring the opportunities presented by the Arab Peace Initiative.
With Hamas controlling the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian internal situation is equally challenging. Egyptian efforts towards reconciling Fatah and Hamas will be an important factor in determining whether or not we see the establishment of an interim, non factional Palestinian government committed to making peace with Israel. At the same time, the international community will need to ensure that any future Palestinian government accepts the Quartet principles which bar Hamas from the negotiating table until it recognises the State of Israel, renounces violence and respects existing peace agreements. This must be achieved whilst confronting those governments that provide support to Hamas and Hezbollah, including Syria and Iran; as well as curbing the threat posed by IranŐs nuclear programme.
In responding to these challenges, LFI looks forward to working with all those in the UK, the EU and the international community who share a similar vision for peace in the Middle East.