It is tragic and heartbreaking to see the resumption of hostilities in Gaza. Our thoughts are with both the Israeli hostages imprisoned by Hamas and their families, and with innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Over the past two weeks, Hamas has rejected two concrete hostage deal proposals which would have Read more…
We’re deeply concerned regarding the current situation in Gaza which risks a resumption of hostilities. It is imperative that Hamas agrees to the extension of the ceasefire which is on the table. It must release all Israeli hostages immediately and unconditionally. Israel must ensure that humanitarian aid can flow freely Read more…
LFI welcomes today’s ceasefire announcement. We commend the bravery and courage of the families of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza and hope to see the swift release of all of their loved ones. We hope too that the ceasefire will allow a surge in aid to ease the plight 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…
***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…
Former LFI chair Dame Louise Ellman has written the below article for the Jewish Chronicle. Click here to read the original. I was an MP for over two decades so am rarely surprised by the amount of time parliament spends focused on Israel. Even I, however, was taken aback by the degree to which Read more…
Merav Michaeli, sitting Knesset member and the former leader of the Israeli Labor party, this week visited London as a guest of Labour Friends of Israel. During her visit, Merav met with Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer MP and chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Emily Thornberry MP. Among Read more…
At today’s Prime Minister’s Questions, Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated the government’s view that claims that the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza constitute genocide are wrong. This follows comments from the Foreign Secretary on Monday that accusations of genocide against Israel “undermine the seriousness” of the term. Green Read more…
At today’s Urgent Question on the situation in the Middle East, Labour MPs raised the issue of the 101 remaining hostage still in Gaza and the need for UNRWA to be properly reformed in the House of Commons. Mansfield MP Steve Yemm asked: “It is incredibly concerning that the Knesset Read more…
At today’s statement from the Foreign Secretary on the situation in the Middle East, Labour MPs urged tougher action against the Iranian regime from the government. Dunfermline and Dollar MP Graeme Downie asked: “A year ago, despite the undoubted challenges, there were early signs of improved relations between Israel, the Read more…
At today’s statement on the situation in the Middle East, Foreign Secretary David Lammy made clear the government’s view that the use of the term ‘genocide’ to refer to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza “undermines the seriousness” of the term. In response to a question from a Read more…
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has announced a fresh round of sanctions targeting Iranian military figures and organisations for their continued role in destabilising political relations across the Middle East. In response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1, the government said it was taking action against senior figures in Read more…