Latest News And Analysis
In Brief: Israel planning to let 83,000 Palestinians return to work in construction
Israel is planning to allow 83,000 Palestinians to return to work on construction sites in the country after 31 May. The move – which would provide a much-needed boost to both the Israeli and Palestinian economies – comes more than two months after tight controls on Palestinians working in Israel were imposed to prevent the[…]
In Brief: Doubts raised over Abbas’ claim PA is ditching Oslo over annexation
President Mahmoud Abbas announced yesterday that the Palestinian Authority has effectively pulled out of the 1993 Oslo Agreements and said Israel would now have to assume responsibility for the civilian Palestinian population of the West Bank. The president, who has threatened such a move on a number of occasions previously, told a meeting in Ramallah:[…]
In Brief: Israel has new government after 18 month deadlock
A new Israeli government was sworn in on Sunday after three general elections and 18 months of political deadlock. The Knesset approved the government – the fifth to be headed by Benjamin Netanyahu – by a vote of 73 to 46. For the first time, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz was sworn in as “alternate[…]
Analysis: Lebanon teeters on the brink
Lebanon is facing an unprecedented economic crisis, spurring protests and a threat to the country’s stability unlike any seen since the end of the country’s bloody civil war three decades ago. The crisis – which was ignited last October by planned tax rises and grew into a wider movement against political corruption and the meddling[…]
Analysis: Israel’s new government takes shape
The painstaking process of assembling a new Israeli government is due to culminate in its swearing-in tomorrow. Israel has had a caretaker government since late 2018 when the first of three closely fought, inconclusive elections was triggered. The third of those elections in early March eventually led to a “unity government” coalition deal between Benjamin[…]
Steve McCabe: How Keir Starmer can forge a new chapter in Labour’s internationalist tradition
LFI chair Steve McCabe has written for Progress on the future of Labour’s foreign policy under Keir Starmer. You can read the original here. Keir Starmer’s election as Labour leader has already signalled progress in tackling the scourge of antisemitism and rebuilding our relationship with the Jewish community. The roots of the problem are deep[…]
LFI chair welcomes Israeli-Palestinian COVID-19 cooperation
Speaking in Foreign Office questions, LFI chair Steve McCabe welcomed Israeli-Palestinian cooperation to tackle COVID-19. “I thank the Minister for his comments. Will he join me in welcoming the news that Israel has approved a $230 million advance payment to the Palestinian Authority, alongside coronavirus test kits, intensive care beds, ventilators, drugs and protective equipment?[…]
Analysis: Israel announces big coronavirus unlock amid positive international comparisons
Nearly two months after it commenced a stringent lockdown, Israel appears to be turning a corner in the fight against the coronavirus. The number of new cases over 24-hour periods has consistently been below 200 since the start of last week. On Sunday night, Israel registered only 29 new cases – the lowest in six[…]
Analysis: Annexation, the opposition
The release of Donald Trump’s much-delayed Middle East peace plan in January was a nakedly political bid to boost Benjamin Netanyahu’s chances of re-election. After the conclusion of a “unity government” agreement last week, Netanyahu is guaranteed at least another 18 months as Israel’s prime minister. In that period, he appears determined to try and push through[…]
Analysis: Gantz and Netanyahu seal the deal
Israel’s year-long political stalemate has come to an end with the signing this week of a coalition deal between Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz. The agreement will see the formation of a “unity government” in which the two men will rotate the premiership. Netanyahu is due to serve as prime minister for the first 18[…]
What we do
Key Issues
Our weekly update looking at the Middle East peace process, regional developments, domestic Israeli and Palestinian affairs and primary issues affecting UK policy on Israel
In Parliament
We work closely with Labour parliamentarians to strengthen relations between Britain and Israel and to promote a vision of coexistence founded on peace and liberal democracy
Publications
We support constructive and informed discussion within the Labour movement; explaining the intense debate within Israel over the challenges the country faces, including constant security and existential threats.
Campaigns
We run and promote campaigns to help create a lasting peace in the Middle East with Israel safe, secure and recognised within its borders; living alongside a democratic, independent Palestinian state