Labour leader Keir Starmer has made clear that Labour does not believe that Israel is an apartheid state, in an interview with Jewish Chronicle editor Jake Wallis Simons. When asked whether he agreed with an Amnesty UK report, published earlier this year, which smeared Israel as an apartheid state, Starmer Read more…
LFI has today hosted a briefing for Labour parliamentarians from Joseph Gitler, founder and chairman of Leket – Israel’s National Food Bank. The briefing, hosted by LFI chair Steve McCabe MP, was an opportunity to hear about Leket’s work to tackle food insecurity in Israel, the changing nature of food Read more…
The shadow minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Bambos Charalambous, is with Labour Friends of Israel on a delegation this week – his first visit to the region since his appointment last November. He is being accompanied by LFI chair Steve McCabe. They will also both be speaking Read more…
LFI has today hosted a briefing for parliamentarians on ‘Settlements and Solutions’, as part of our Steps to a Two State Solution campaign. The session, hosted by LFI chair Steve McCabe looked at the building of Israeli settlements as an obstacle to peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. Parliamentarians were Read more…
Today, a number of LFI officers and parliamentarians addressed the Zionist Federation’s annual lobby day for Israel, held in Parliament. This year’s lobby day focused on the proscription of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a terrorist group that has already been proscribed by the US, EU, Canada, Read more…
At FCDO Questions today, LFI parliamentary supporter Christian Wakeford asked why the UK had played no role in agreeing the Abraham Accords in summer 2020, and called for the UK to be “central to encouraging more of our partners across the Arab world” to normalise ties with Israel, given its historic ties Read more…
LFI Parliamentary Supporter Christian Wakeford today took part in a backbench debate on recognising Palestinian statehood. In his contributions, Christian warned against unilateral actions and made clear that “the best route to sustainable progress lies through direct negotiations” between Israel and the Palestinians. He also made the case for “concrete Read more…
LFI vice-chair Cat McKinnell MP has today written to Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Secretary Liz Truss calling for the FCDO to approach the Biden administration to discuss the UK taking up one of the international seats on the board of the International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace. This followed the news Read more…
Labour Friends of Israel was delighted to host a parliamentary briefing on Israel’s Arab community today, exploring the place of Arab Israelis in the country’s society, the challenges they face, and recent progress towards overcoming those challenges. Labour MPs and peers were joined by Amnon Be’eri-Sulitzeanu and Dr. Thabet Abu Read more…
A number of LFI vice-chairs and parliamentary supporters took part in today’s debate marking Holocaust Memorial Day in the House of Commons on Thursday 27 January. This annual debate is an opportunity for parliamentarians from across the House to unite in remembering the victims, honouring survivors, and remembering where antisemitism, Read more…
Labour’s shadow International Trade Minister Ruth Cadbury today took part in a Westminster Hall Debate on UK-Israel trade negotiations today. In her contributions, Ruth spoke about Labour’s “strong and historic links” with Israel and Labour’s support for the growing UK-Israel trade relationship. She also reiterated Labour’s opposition to boycotts and sanctions against Read more…
At International Trade questions today, LFI parliamentary supporter Barry Sheerman MP pushed the government to promote, facilitate and devote resources to partnerships between British and Israeli universities, with a special focus on research, development and innovation. You can watch Barry’s question and the minister’s answer here.