Israel announced a series of relief measures for the Gaza Strip yesterday, including expanding the enclave’s fishing zone and the approval of additional imports and exports in the wake of relative calm along the Israel-Gaza border. The move followed international calls for humanitarian assistance for Gaza, which has been governed Read more…
LFI this week launches a major new publication on the changing shape of the Middle East. From demographic changes to diplomatic revolutions, and the growing threat posed by an expansionist Iran, The New Middle East: A Progressive Approach is designed to contribute to the evolution of Labour’s foreign policy development. What’s in it The Read more…
Join us for the launch of LFI’s new publication The New Middle East: A Progressive Approach a selection of essays discussing the changing political landscape in the region. This new essay collection seeks to challenge assumptions about the Middle East and broaden the debate on the left, which is too often disproportionately focussed on Israel. From demographic changes to diplomatic revolutions, Read more…
The political bureau chief of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, has met with Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah, in the Lebanese capital Beirut this week. The two reportedly discussed the recent 11-day bout of fighting between Israel and Gaza-based terror groups led by Hamas, and how they might build on the experience Read more…
A senior member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist group said on Saturday that Gaza-based terrorists have warned Egyptian mediators of a violent response should Israel continue to retaliate against balloon-borne incendiary devices that have burned crops and property in southern Israel. The comments came a month after the Read more…
LFI chair Steve McCabe MP and LFI vice chair Cat McKinnell MP both took part in a Westminster Hall Debate on Israel/Palestine today. The debate was organised to consider two e-petitions; one calling for unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, and another calling for a trade boycott of Israel. LFI chair Read more…
The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has condemned the construction of a terror tunnel under a school complex it operates in the central Gaza Strip. UNRWA said that the tunnel had been found in the Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza, under the Zaitoun Preparatory Boys’ School “A” and Elementary Boys’ School “A”. UNRWA confirmed that no Read more…
Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that David Barnea would be the next director of Israel’s Mossad espionage agency. Mr Barnea, 56, is a veteran of the organisation, having been its deputy head for the past two years. Barnea will replace incumbent director Yossi Cohen on 1 July. Netanyahu declared that Barnea’s top task would be Read more…
After eleven days of fighting, an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas terror group was announced on Thursday night, and has since held. What happened The ceasefire was announced late in the night of Thursday 20 May, coming into force at 2am on Friday 21. The announcement followed days of speculation around the possibility of Read more…
Labour Friends of Israel chair Steve McCabe MP has written the below article for The House. Click here to read the original. The announcement of a ceasefire will bring a much-needed and welcome respite for the peoples of Israel and Palestine following the horrific violence of the past two weeks. Read more…
The conflict between Israel and militants in Gaza has continued over the past week, with more than 3,750 rockets fired into Israel by Hamas and other terrorist groups and some 2,000 strikes against terrorist targets in Gaza. What happened Conflict began with low-level violence in Jerusalem last week and escalated as Hamas began a Read more…
The head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IGRC) Quds Force, Esmail Ghaani, spoke with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at the weekend. They discussed the latest developments in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Iran is thought to be watching developments closely, and is likely advising Hamas on its tactics. The meeting came as Read more…