Latest News And Analysis
Analysis: Israel and Hamas edging towards a truce
Israel and Hamas appear to be edging towards a long-term truce, designed to bring peace to the border region and relief to the Gaza Strip. Israeli media reports in recent days have emphasised that the IDF’s killing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander Baha Abu al-Ata last month has breathed new life into long-standing efforts to[…]
Analysis: Bibi indictment leads to political chaos
Israel is facing unprecedented political chaos after Benjamin Netanyahu was formally indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. The announcement from attorney general Avichai Mandelblit came less than 24 hours after opposition leader Benny Gantz gave up his efforts to form a government. Both he and Netanyahu have now failed to assemble[…]
Analysis: Iran faces protests at home and abroad
Mass protests swept Iran over the weekend after the regime abruptly cut fuel subsidies and raised petrol prices. Protests occurred in 100 cities and towns, including Tehran, Shiraz, Tabriz, Kermanshah and Sanandaj. Amnesty International says over 100 people have been killed in clashes between demonstrators and baton-wielding security forces. Unofficial reports from various sources cited by the[…]
Analysis: Israel under rocket attack after terror chief killed
More than 250 rockets have been launched at Israeli towns and cities by terrorist groups in Gaza over the past two day. The attacks followed an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday morning which targeted and killed the military commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Baha Abu al-Atta (pictured far right), Israel says, was responsible for multiple[…]
Leading LFI lights stepping down from parliament
LFI’s chair, Louise Ellman, and her predecessor, Joan Ryan, both left the House of Commons this week when parliament was dissolved. Neither will be seeking re-election in the general election on 12 December. Ms Ryan – who will continue to work with LFI in her new role as our honorary president – became chair after[…]
Analysis: PA and Hamas human rights crackdown under fire
Hamas security forces arrested dozens of Palestinian activists last week in a bid to prevent anti-government protests similar to those which have rocked Lebanon. The arrests – believed to have targeted left-wing and moderate opponents of Gaza’s Islamist rulers – came as a court in the West Bank ordered the blocking of 59 Palestinian websites,[…]
LFI chair demands Raab acts on Hezbollah
LFI chair Dame Louise Ellman has written to the foreign secretary to demand action in response to Hezbollah’s precision missile project, which poses a serious threat to Israel and is in direct violation of UNSCR 1701 that brought an end to the Second Lebanon War. Louise urges Britain to make a “public warning to Hezbollah and[…]
Analysis: Gantz gets his chance
Israel’s opposition leader, Benny Gantz, will this evening be formally invited to form a government by President Reuven Rivlin. The president made the move after Benjamin Netanyahu failed to assemble a coalition in the required 28 days. Netanyahu did not request a 14-day extension. It is the second time this year that the prime minister[…]
LFI Dame Louise Ellman Statement
Following Dame Louise Ellman’s decision to resign her membership of the Labour Party, LFI have released the following statement: Jennifer Gerber, director of LFI, said: “Louise Ellman has taken a characteristically brave and principled decision today. It highlights once again the institutional antisemitism which continues to shame the Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn’s responsibility for[…]
Analysis: What Trump’s betrayal of the Kurds means for Israel
President Trump’s decision last week to abandon the Kurds and give the green light to Turkey’s invasion of north-eastern Syria has sent shockwaves through the Middle East, including in Israel. Even as the US now apparently scrambles to rein Turkey in, the impact of the president’s actions may be far-reaching. Israel has long been supportive[…]
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