Joan Ryan Writes to Andy McDonald Over Holocaust Comparison
LFI chair Joan Ryan MP has written to shadow secretary of state for transport, Andy McDonald MP over his Holocaust comparison on Sky News. Click here to read the full letter.
LFI Chair Joan Ryan MP writes to Jeremy Corbyn over ‘Palestine Live’
Joan Ryan MP has written to Jeremy Corbyn over his membership of the anti-semitic Facebook group ‘Palestine Live’. Ms Ryan writes: “I was deeply disturbed to read reports that you were a member of the anti-semitic Facebook group ‘Palestine Live’, where neo-Nazi material and Holocaust denial was widespread…I was further shocked Read more…
Pledge to end Gaza crisis offers a solution, not a soundbite
This op-ed by Joan Ryan first appeared in the JewishNews, click here to read it. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is desperate and deeply concerning. Electricity supplies are highly restricted; water and sewage facilities are under strain; rising unemployment has hit 40 percent, with an estimated six in 10 young Read more…
LFI launches Pledge for Gaza
LFI today launches our new Pledge for Gaza campaign – part of our long-standing work to encourage the economic revitalisation of the coastal enclave. We will be inviting Labour parliamentarians to sign the five-point plan. It seeks to provide a multifaceted response to the challenges facing Gaza. The pledge recognises the plight of the Read more…
Time to get tough, Prime Minister
This op-ed first appeared in the Jewish Chronicle, click here to view the original. Britain is a major donor to the Palestinian Authority. Over the period to 2021, £125m of taxpayers’ money will be sent to Ramallah. Supporting a viable Palestinian administration is key to the UK’s goal of achieving Read more…
Government offers support for International Fund
The government this week said it supported the establishment of an International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace. Asked by LFI parliamentary supporter Luciana Berger at Foreign Office questions to “pledge the UK’s diplomatic support”, Middle East minister Alistair Burt announced: “The UK supports the concept of an International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace.” Read more…
LFI secures parliamentary debate on Hezbollah proscription
LFI chair Joan Ryan has secured a cross-party parliamentary debate on the proscription of Hezbollah on Thursday 25 January. LFI has long called for the complete proscription of the terrorist group Hezbollah. Currently, the UK only proscribes Hezbollah’s ‘military wing’, but not its ‘political wing’. The UK’s distinction is not Read more…
LFI chair writes to Kate Osamor over BDS statement
LFI chair Joan Ryan has written to the shadow international development secretary, Kate Osamor, asking her to clarify Tweets she made over the weekend supporting the BDS movement. Below the words “BDS movement #freedom #Justice #Equality”, Ms Osamor added a link to the Middle East Institute for Understanding and an explanation Read more…
LFI raises questions over anti-Israel US Embassy protest
LFI has written to Labour MP Andy Slaughter asking him to condemn antisemitic chanting which occurred at a demonstration he attended last week outside the US Embassy. Mr Slaughter was one of a number of speakers at a rally called to protest at President Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Read more…
New Palestinian Authority school lessons in hate raise concern over UK aid funding
This article originally appeared in the Jewish Chronicle, click here to read it. The Palestinian Authority school curriculum is teaching children the ‘virtues of martyrdom’ and repeatedly refers to Israel as the ‘Zionist Occupation’, an alarming new report has revealed. The newly updated syllabus, the first since the PA published Read more…
LFI Statement on Jerusalem
An LFI spokesperson said: “LFI’s position is unchanged. Unilateral international moves – such as those by President Trump today – do not advance the peace process. It is important that formal recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is part of a reinvigorated and renewed peace process in pursuit Read more…
Ambassador Mark Regev’s Speech to LFI Annual Lunch 2017
*** CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY *** HMA Mark Regev, Israeli Ambassador, speech to Labour Friends of Israel Annual Lunch 2017 Chief Rabbi, Lords and Ladies, Members of Parliament, Distinguished guests, It is a real pleasure to be back here at Central Hall for LFI’s Annual Lunch. I would like to begin by Read more…