At today’s statement from the Minister for Development on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, a number of Labour MPs pushed the government on issues relevant to LFI campaigns. LFI chair Jon Pearce MP asked: “I thank the Minister for her statement and for the Foreign Office’s diplomatic efforts in securing Read more…
LFI today publishes After the War: Marginalising the Enemies of Peace, a policy paper on what needs to be done after the Gaza war to marginalise the enemies of peace. For Britain, Europe and pragmatic Arab states, the foundational principle – that a negotiated two-state solution offers the only long-term Read more…
In today’s Petitions Committee debate on two e-petitions relating to the ongoing war in Gaza – calling for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state and a suspension of all arms sales to Israel – LFI vice-chair Mike Tapp made a speech warning against “symbolic gestures” and encouraging a focus on Read more…
***CHECKED AGAINST DELIVERY*** Chief Rabbi, Honoured Guests… It’s a privilege to be invited to speak to you today. And I’d like to begin by thanking our lunch co-sponsors – Sir David Garrard and Stuart Roden. And I know everyone here will join me in sending our very best wishes to Read more…
At today’s Foreign Office Questions session, a number of Labour parliamentarians asked questions relating to LFI campaigns, including UK support for Israeli-Palestinian people-to-people coexistence funding and Iranian support for terrorist proxies. LFI chair Jon Pearce asked: “In 2020, the US committed £250 million to support peace building and Palestinian economic Read more…
I’d like to begin tonight by paying tribute and offering thanks to my three predecessors: Steve McCabe stepped down as chair at the general election after taking the helm in 2020. As a parliamentary candidate, I was lucky enough to travel to Israel on an LFI delegation led by Steve. Read more…
Labour Friends of Israel’s annual conference reception was addressed by several senior members of the Cabinet last night, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor. Attendees and speakers also heard from two Israeli hostage family members, Noam Safir and Sharone Lifschitz, whose respective grandfather and father have been held hostage Read more…
At Labour party conference we were delighted to be joined by Yair Golan, leader of Labour’s sister party – newly renamed the Democrats – for two days at conference this year as LFI’s guest. During his time in Liverpool, Golan met with senior ministers, Labour parliamentarians and Labour Party officials, Read more…
Both yesterday and today, the UK joined allies in calling for de-escalation in the Middle East and reiterated collective support for Israel’s defence. The statement, issued by the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy “expressed our full support for ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions Read more…
LFI director Michael Rubin has written the below article for JewishNews. Click here to read the original. Amid the horror in Israel and Gaza over the past seven months, there have been few causes for hope and optimism. While President Biden’s credible and constructive plan for the future is much needed, Read more…
READ AND DOWNLOAD THE REPORT HERE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Since 7 October, Israelis and Palestinians have seen catastrophic violence and injustice, eclipsing the already bleak precedents of recent decades. There is now an urgent need to launch a diplomatic process towards ending this conflict. If a renewed diplomatic process is to Read more…
Today LFI hosted a parliamentary briefing with Co-Deputy CEO of Programmes Shahira Shalibi and Co-Director of Public Affairs Moran Maimoni of the Abraham Initiatives, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting “full and equal citizenship and complete equality of social and political rights for Israel’s Jewish and Arab citizens,” about their Read more…