The newly elected MP for High Peak, Jon Pearce, is to become the new parliamentary chair of Labour Friends of Israel.
Pearce succeeds Steve McCabe, who stood down from parliament at July’s general election.
LFI’s new parliamentary chair takes the helm as the group outlines plans to focus its work on five key areas: working for a two-state solution, promoting peacebuilding, strengthening regional security and prosperity, enhancing the relationship between Britain and Israel, and fighting anti-Zionist antisemitism.
In his first official visit as LFI chair, Pearce will meet with the leadership of the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) to discuss the pressing issues of antisemitism and the safety of Jewish students on UK campuses.
Speaking after his appointment as LFI chair, Jon Pearce MP said:
“After 14 long years in opposition, this is a moment of great hope for LFI. A chance to work with a Labour Government to help make Britain and the world safer, less divided, more prosperous.
But it’s also a moment of great challenge. As we approach the anniversary of the 7 October pogrom, the hostages remain in Hamas’ hands, the torment of their families is ongoing, and the terrible suffering of Israelis and Palestinians continues.
I believe there’s rarely been a more important time for the shared ambitions of LFI and our new Labour government: to work towards two states for two peoples, promote peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians, strengthen regional security and prosperity, enhance the relationship between Britain and Israel, and fight anti-Zionist antisemitism.
I’ve been appalled and sickened by the surge in antisemitism we’ve seen on the streets of Britain since 7 October.
It is utterly intolerable. We mustn’t accept that Britain is a country where Jewish places of worship are protected by security guards; Jewish pupils can’t wear their uniforms on the way to school; and antisemites feel free to intimidate Jews by chanting for Jihad, glorifying Hamas’ crimes, and comparing the State of Israel to those who sought to annihilate European Jewry less than a century ago.
Keir Starmer defeated antisemitism in the Labour party. Now we must work with our new Labour government to defeat the scourge of antisemitism in the country.
That will always be at the heart of my work as LFI’s chair – as it was for my predecessors, Steve McCabe, Louise Ellman and Joan Ryan.”
Quote from Michael Rubin, director of LFI:
“I am delighted to welcome Jon as the new chair of LFI. I look forward to working with him, the wider Labour parliamentary party and ministers to deliver Keir Starmer’s commitment to a government which is pro-Israel, pro-Palestine and pro-peace. I also want to pay tribute to Steve McCabe for his outstanding leadership of LFI in the last parliament. Steve’s support for our work was principled, unwavering, and hugely respected and appreciated.”
