At today’s statement on the situation in the Middle East, LFI chair Jon Pearce asked the Middle East Minister about Hamas’s rejection of the US and Israeli-backed ceasefire proposal over the weekend. He said: “I thank the Minister for all the work he is doing and the endless number of Read more…
At today’s adjournment debate on arms and military cargo export controls on Israel, Trade Minister Douglas Alexander reiterated the government’s view on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and rejected calls to end trade between the UK and Israel. He said: “It is accepted on all sides of this House that, Read more…
An LFI delegation of Labour parliamentarians visited Israel and the Palestinian Territories as the region marked 600 days since the 7 October attacks which sparked the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The delegation, led by LFI chair Jon Pearce MP, included Labour Members of Parliament Cat Eccles, Kevin McKenna, Peter Prinsley and Mark Sewards, all Read more…
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening and must be urgently addressed. As we have consistently argued, Israel must ensure that humanitarian aid can flow freely into Gaza. We abhor Hamas’ theft and profiteering and its cynical use of the people of Gaza as human shields, but restrictions on aid Read more…
LFI director Michael Rubin has written the below article for Progressive Britain. Click here to read the original. The Netanyahu government has been a disaster – for Israel and its security, for the Palestinians, and for the prospects of a wider regional peace. It is time for it to go and for Read more…
At today’s repeat statement on the Middle East in the House of Lords, Labour peers asked a number of questions of the minister, Lord Collins. Lord Turnberg asked: “My Lords, the situation in Gaza is truly horrendous, but Hamas must bear some responsibility for that. Indeed, the Gazan population is Read more…
At today’s statement from on the visit of Palestinian Authority prime minister Mustafa, Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer clearly set out the government’s position regarding the circumstances in which the UK would recognise Palestinian statehood. He said: “Some 147 states have recognised a Palestinian state, yet no Palestinian state is Read more…
At today’s statement from on the visit of Palestinian Authority prime minister Mustafa, Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer discussed a number of points of UK policy towards the Middle East. He began: “During the visit, we reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to advancing a two-state solution as the only pathway to Read more…
LFI chair Jon Pearce MP has written the below article for Jewish News. Click here to read the original. As chair of Labour Friends of Israel, last week I became the first British MP to travel between Israel and the UAE – an unimaginable reality before the historic Abraham Accords in 2020. Read more…
At today’s Urgent Question on the Israeli Government’s announcement that they are expanding their military operations in Gaza, Labour MPs Jon Pearce and Blair McDougall asked what steps the government was taking to strengthen moderate voices for peace in Israel and Palestine. LFI chair Jon Pearce asked: “The resumption of Read more…
At today’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Questions session, Mansfield MP Steve Yemm raised the prospect of UK leadership on the International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace with the Foreign Secretary. He asked: “The Prime Minister’s commitment to host an international meeting this year in support of an international fund for Israeli-Palestinian Read more…
LFI chair Jon Pearce became the first British MP to travel directly between Israel and the United Arab Emirates on a visit to the region this week. While in Israel, the Labour MP for High Peak met with Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, opposition leader Yair Lapid, and the leader of the Democrats, Yair Golan, as Read more…