At today’s Commons statement on the situation in the Middle East, two Labour MPs asked questions of Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer on the hostages and on the Israeli opposition to the Netanyahu government’s approach to the war. Wirral West MP Matthew Patrick asked: “Not a week goes by without 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…
Keir Starmer yesterday addressed LFI’s Annual Lunch – its biggest in 15 years – and underlined his support for Israel and a two-state solution. The prime minister also had strong words for Iran, restated the government’s opposition to BDS, and made a major announcement on Britain’s work to help establish Read more…
LFI statement on northern Gaza Hamas’ murderous assault on southern Israel on 7 October triggered tragic conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, and huge suffering for innocent people throughout the region. LFI continues to support a ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all the Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and 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…
Today, LFI publishes a new paper: Labour, Israel & Palestine: Lessons from the Blair-Brown years. Authored by Dr Toby Greene, the paper analyses the context and approach taken by the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and outlines the lessons that can be learnt for our new Labour government. The Read more…
Since 7 October, Israel has come under repeated, unprovoked and indiscriminate attack by Iran and its proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. We do not believe that restrictions on UK arms sales will help bring the tragic conflict in Gaza to a close or help ensure the release of the 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…
Newly-elected Labour prime minister Keir Starmer has today spoken with the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas. In his call with Netanyahu, the Prime Minister “said he looked forward to further deepening the close relationship between the two countries”. They went on to discuss the Read more…
Israeli politicians from across the political spectrum have sent their congratulations to Keir Starmer upon his election as prime minister following yesterday’s general election. Israeli president Isaac Herzog, a former leader of Labour’s Israeli sister party, was among the first world leaders to tweet his congratulations, saying “I look forward Read more…
This week, an LFI delegation of MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates visited Israel and the Palestinian territories. Led by LFI chair Steve McCabe MP, this is the second such trip undertaken since October 7. The group met with Israeli and Palestinian politicians, officials and NGOs in Jerusalem and Ramallah, including Read more…
LFI director Michael Rubin has written the below article for the Fathom Journal. Click here to read the original. After 7 October the idea that any Palestinian actor can be trusted to control territory on Israel’s borders is scarcely credible to most Israelis. Yet the US, the UK, and the EU Read more…