At Monday’s Westminster Hall Debate, on three e-petitions relating to Israel and Palestine, Labour Opposition Whip, Christian Wakeford, stated that he supports increased humanitarian aid into Gaza, including “fuel, electricity and food” supplies, but currently sees a permanent ceasefire with Hamas as impossible, owing to the last pause that “broke Read more…
At today’s Urgent Question on the Israel-Hamas War in the House of Commons, LFI parliamentary supporter Catherine McKinnell MP asked the Minister what steps the UK is pursuing with international partners to ensure the security of Israel and to allow for the rebuilding and a path toward statehood for Palestine. Read more…
Today, LFI’s chair in the House of Lords, Baroness Ramsay, has written to the ambassadors of Qatar and Turkey in the UK, raising her “deep concern” about both states’ relationships with the Hamas terror group and the calling on them to apply pressure for the release of the around 130+ Read more…
*** Check against delivery *** Chief Rabbi, Ambassador Hotovely, friends. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Labour Friends of Israel Annual Lunch. And a warm welcome to our friends from the Abraham Accords countries. LFI’s work is more vital than ever, and the Read more…
*** Check against delivery *** Thank yous Thank you, Chief Rabbi, Ambassador, friends… some of you old friends. Sir David Garrard for the wonderful introduction. Isaac Kaye. Adrian Cohen. Steve McCabe for your advice and support. Tom Murray, Thomas Webster, Tina Bhartwas, Sam Rubens Read more…
David Lammy today used the LFI annual lunch to underline Labour’s commitment to Israel and set out a series of measures the party would take in government to support a renewed drive to kick-start the Middle East peace process. The shadow foreign secretary was addressing the biggest LFI lunch since Read more…
At today’s Urgent Question on the humanitarian pause in Gaza, a number of LFI parliamentarians pushed the government on a several issues relating to the current humanitarian pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. LFI chair Steve McCabe MP asked: “I welcome the pause, with hostages released and Read more…
Responding for the Labour party to today’s House of Commons statement on the situation in Gaza, shadow foreign secretary and LFI parliamentary supporter David Lammy reiterated Labour’s position of condemnation of Hamas and expressed the party’s desire to see a renewed Israeli-Palestinian peace process. With regard to Hamas, Lammy said: Read more…
Hostage deal On 21 November, the Israeli cabinet approved a deal to secure the release of at least 50 Israeli civilian hostages, beginning with women and children. Those released are expected to include 30 children, eight mothers and twelve elderly women. Around 240 hostages are being held in total. According Read more…
This afternoon, a number of Labour MPs and peers were briefed by the Israeli deputy ambassador, Oren Marmorstein, and Thomas Hand, whose 9-year-old daughter Emily has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since 7 October. The briefing, which took place in Parliament and was organised by LFI, included a Read more…
LFI director Michael Rubin has written the below article for the Jewish News. Click here to read the original. The catastrophic Israel-Hamas war is an irreversible turning point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The diplomatic priority for the international community in the short term is the massive humanitarian needs of Gazans and Read more…
Today, the Labour party has tabled an amendment to the King’s speech setting out its position on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The Labour amendment: “Unequivocally” condemns the “horrific terror attack and murder of civilians by Hamas” Calls for the “immediate release of all hostages” Reaffirms Read more…