LFI vice chair Michael Dugher has said Labour must “root out those people who hold extreme views and expel those who perpetrate anti-Semitism” In a speech to Young UJIA last night, Michael Dugher said: “There is a problem of anti-Semitism in some parts of the Labour Party. “One of the Read more…
Rt Hon Joan Ryan MP, Chair of LFI, said: “We are disappointed at the NEC’s decision not to publish Jan Royall’s report in full, in contradiction of her express wishes. It makes it difficult to judge the report and opens the party to charges of a cover-up. Most importantly, for Read more…
This news item was first published by the Jewish Chronicle on 16th May and the full story can be found here: http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/158247/head-inquiry-labour-antisemitism-shami-chakrabarti-reveals-she-has-joined-party The news that Baroness Royall was joining the inquiry was welcomed by Joan Ryan MP, chair of Labour Friends of Israel. In a statement, she said: “It is now Read more…
This article was published by Jewish News on 3 May 2016 and is available here: http://www.jewishnews.co.uk/lfi-chair-calls-for-end-to-uk-aid-to-palestinian-civil-servants-amid-terror-funding-claims/ MP calls for end to UK aid to Palestinian civil servants amid terror funding claims Labour Friends of Israel chair Joan Ryan has called for the suspension of UK government aid to Palestinian civil servants Read more…
Rt Hon Joan Ryan MP, Chair of Labour Friends of Israel, said: “To speak of Zionism – the right of the Jewish people to self-determination – and Hitler in the same sentence is quite breathtaking. I am appalled that Ken Livingstone has chosen to do so. There cannot be one Read more…
The Chair of LFI, Joan Ryan MP, has today written to Jeremy Corbyn following comments by Labour MP Naz Shah: Dear Jeremy, I was extremely disturbed to read this morning the reported comments by Naz Shah. They highlight once again a highly offensive and totally unacceptable discourse which is currently Read more…
Joan Ryan has urged the Prime Minister to “think again” after he rejected her call for an independent review into how Britain’s aid money is spent in Israel-Palestine. In February, LFI’s Chair wrote to David Cameron raising her concerns about the Palestinian Authority’s role in inciting the current wave of Read more…
Harold Wilson was a great friend of Israel and of LFI. Next Friday marks the centenary of the former Labour Prime Minister’s birth. As our former Director, Lady Valerie Cocks, tells this week’s Jewish Chronicle: “He loved Israel and went on being president of LFI until he couldn’t any more. He backed us in Read more…
Antisemitism cannot go unchallenged – by Joan Ryan MP for ProgressOnline. This article is available here. Free speech and robust debate have long been at the heart of Britain’s universities. Whether it be on campus or in the classroom, nobody should go to university and not expect to hear the beliefs Read more…
Calling Israel an “apartheid state” is a barrier to peace by Ian Austin MP for LabourList. This article is available here It’s extraordinary to think it’s been 25 years since millions of us sat transfixed by live footage of Nelson Mandela walking to freedom. As a teenager, I’d marched against Read more…
Labour inquiry attacked over cover-up concerns – by Marcus Dysch for the Jewish Chronicle, March 3, 2016 – This article is available here. Probe by students into hate claims goes unpublished as party calls in senior peer A new investigation ordered by the Labour Party will attempt to resolve claims against Read more…
Today Joan Ryan MP, Chair of LFI, wrote to Labour General Secretary Iain McNicol over concerns about the party’s inquiry into antisemitism allegations at Oxford University Labour Club: Dear Iain Further to our conversation on Monday evening, I write to express again my deep concern about the nature of the inquiry that has Read more…