Rt Hon Joan Ryan MP, Chair of Labour Friends of Israel, said: “To speak of Zionism – the right of the Jewish people to self-determination – and Hitler in the same sentence is quite breathtaking. I am appalled that Ken Livingstone has chosen to do so. There cannot be one Read more…
The Chair of LFI, Joan Ryan MP, has today written to Jeremy Corbyn following comments by Labour MP Naz Shah: Dear Jeremy, I was extremely disturbed to read this morning the reported comments by Naz Shah. They highlight once again a highly offensive and totally unacceptable discourse which is currently Read more…
Joan Ryan has urged the Prime Minister to “think again” after he rejected her call for an independent review into how Britain’s aid money is spent in Israel-Palestine. In February, LFI’s Chair wrote to David Cameron raising her concerns about the Palestinian Authority’s role in inciting the current wave of Read more…
Harold Wilson was a great friend of Israel and of LFI. Next Friday marks the centenary of the former Labour Prime Minister’s birth. As our former Director, Lady Valerie Cocks, tells this week’s Jewish Chronicle: “He loved Israel and went on being president of LFI until he couldn’t any more. He backed us in Read more…
Antisemitism cannot go unchallenged – by Joan Ryan MP for ProgressOnline. This article is available here. Free speech and robust debate have long been at the heart of Britain’s universities. Whether it be on campus or in the classroom, nobody should go to university and not expect to hear the beliefs Read more…
Calling Israel an “apartheid state” is a barrier to peace by Ian Austin MP for LabourList. This article is available here It’s extraordinary to think it’s been 25 years since millions of us sat transfixed by live footage of Nelson Mandela walking to freedom. As a teenager, I’d marched against Read more…
Labour inquiry attacked over cover-up concerns – by Marcus Dysch for the Jewish Chronicle, March 3, 2016 – This article is available here. Probe by students into hate claims goes unpublished as party calls in senior peer A new investigation ordered by the Labour Party will attempt to resolve claims against Read more…
Today Joan Ryan MP, Chair of LFI, wrote to Labour General Secretary Iain McNicol over concerns about the party’s inquiry into antisemitism allegations at Oxford University Labour Club: Dear Iain Further to our conversation on Monday evening, I write to express again my deep concern about the nature of the inquiry that has Read more…
This article was published in the Jewish News Online. Its original version is available here A former Labour Party strategist will condemn “grotesque” analogies between Israel and apartheid South Africa, as activists mark Israel Apartheid Week across the UK. Lord Livermore, a former director of strategy at Downing Street who advised Read more…
Click here for the original letter to Cameron on PA funding. Article by Sandy Rashty for the Jewish Chronicle. Article available here British taxpayers’ money cannot be used to provide a “blank cheque” to the Palestinian Authority, a Labour MP has said. Joan Ryan, Labour Friends of Israel chair, said she Read more…
Read the original article from the Guardian here. Labour opens inquiry into antisemitism allegations at Oxford student club, by Mark Tran for the Guardian, 17 February 2016 The Labour party’s national student organisation has launched an inquiry into allegations of antisemitic behaviour and intimidation at Oxford University Labour Club. Ed Read more…
Click here to read the original letter Read the JC’s article here Dear Grahame, I believe that you are planning to host an event in parliament next Tuesday, which Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East are promoting, at which Abdel Bari Atwan will be the moderator. I am Read more…