Labour Friends Of Israel - Connecting UK And A Middle East Partner
There's a group working within the British Labour Party, you know, that has a real interest in the connection between the United Kingdom and Israel. This group, Labour Friends of Israel, has been around for some time, actually, and they have a clear mission: to really make sure the ties between these two countries stay strong and grow even more. They see this relationship as something very important, particularly when we think about the wider Middle East, and they're always looking for ways to help it along.
For them, it's pretty clear that a good relationship brings a lot of good things. We're talking about things like better money matters, more political chat, and even working together on safety issues. These connections, they believe, are really good for everyone involved, adding to the well-being of people in both places. So, it's not just about politics; it's also about making sure people feel more secure and have more chances to do well, in a way.
They've been pretty active, too, with people from the Labour Party visiting Israel and the Palestinian territories, having conversations, and just generally trying to keep things moving forward. This group, you know, tends to be quite vocal about their views, especially when it comes to supporting a secure Israel that can live side-by-side with a Palestinian state that is truly independent and works for its people. They've got a lot of history behind them, as a matter of fact, even going back to when Australia, led by a Labour Prime Minister, was one of the first countries to recognize Israel.
Table of Contents
- What is Labour Friends of Israel and What Do They Do?
- A Look Back - How Has Labour Friends of Israel Shaped History?
- Financial Connections and Transparency - The Labour Friends of Israel Story
- Recent Engagements and Concerns - Labour Friends of Israel in the News
- What Are the Goals of Labour Friends of Israel Regarding Peace?
- Labour Friends of Israel - A Lobby Group's Self-Description
- Why Did Labour Friends of Israel Remove Their Public Supporters List?
- Key Individuals and Connections Within Labour Friends of Israel
What is Labour Friends of Israel and What Do They Do?
So, you might be wondering, what exactly is Labour Friends of Israel? Well, it's a group that works right there in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Their main aim, you know, is to push for a really strong connection between the United Kingdom and Israel. They also put in a lot of effort to make the ties between the British Labour Party and the Israeli Labor Party even tighter. It's pretty much about building bridges and keeping lines of communication open, in a way.
They see Israel as a very important partner in the Middle East, a place where things are always moving and changing. For them, working to make economic, political, and security ties better between the two countries is something that brings direct advantages to everyone's safety. It's about shared interests and making sure that both nations can feel more secure. They really believe in this idea of working together for common good, as a matter of fact.
One of the big things they talk about is the vision of Israel being safe, truly secure, and accepted within its own borders. But that's not all; they also believe this should happen while living right next to a Palestinian state that is truly viable, democratic, and can stand on its own two feet. This idea of two peoples living side-by-side in peace is something they often speak about, you know, as a core part of their outlook.
A Look Back - How Has Labour Friends of Israel Shaped History?
If we take a look back, the Labour Party in government has a record they're quite proud of when it comes to making the connections between Britain and Israel stronger. They see this as a continuation of efforts that go way back. For example, it's pretty interesting that Australia, with its Labour Prime Minister Ben Chifley, was the very first country in the whole world to formally say it recognized Israel, and that happened back in January of 1949. This really shows a long-standing historical link between Labour movements and the recognition of Israel.
Over the years, there have been many occasions where members of the Labour Party have visited Israel, often with financial help from groups that support Israel. We're talking about more than 50 visits since 1999, which is quite a lot, actually. These trips, you know, are often seen as ways to build personal connections, learn more about the region, and strengthen the bonds between politicians and people from both places. It's about creating a deeper appreciation for the issues at hand, as a matter of fact.
Just last year, in July 2023, Labour Friends of Israel even helped four people who were hoping to become Labour Members of Parliament travel to Israel. This happened a full year before they were even elected to Parliament. These folks included Kevin Bonavia, who is now the MP for Stevenage, Jon Pearce, the MP for High Peak, Mike Tapp from Dover, and Jessica Toale, who represents Bournemouth West. This kind of support, you know, really shows how they try to bring new people into the fold and get them familiar with the issues early on.
Financial Connections and Transparency - The Labour Friends of Israel Story
When it comes to how Labour Friends of Israel gets its money, there's been some talk, you know. The group doesn't actually tell everyone who their funders are. This has led to some questions over time. For instance, back in 2017, an undercover documentary by Al Jazeera apparently showed that the group had really close connections with the Israeli embassy in London. This was a pretty big deal at the time, actually, and it brought a lot of attention to their operations.
In that documentary, a person who worked for the organization in Parliament, Michael Rubin, was filmed without knowing it, saying that Labour Friends of Israel and the Israeli embassy "work really closely together." He even added that "a lot" of their work is intertwined. This kind of statement, you know, really highlighted the nature of their relationship and how they cooperate on various things. It raised eyebrows for some people who felt that such close ties should be more openly shared.
The money involved is quite something, too. The value of donations that have come from groups that lobby for Israel has added up to more than £280,000. A good chunk of this money, as a matter of fact, has gone towards paying for Labour Members of Parliament to visit Israel. As we mentioned, these visits have happened on over 50 different occasions since 1999. It's a significant amount of money and a lot of trips, which shows a consistent effort to build these connections through direct experience.
Recent Engagements and Concerns - Labour Friends of Israel in the News
Recently, Labour Friends of Israel has been in the news for a few reasons. For instance, a person named McCabe mentioned that the group has some worries about certain parts of the new government led by Benjamin Netanyahu. He has apparently made these concerns known, which shows that while they support the country, they also have opinions about its leadership. This indicates, you know, that their support isn't without some level of critique or observation.
A group of Labour Members of Parliament, who were part of a Labour Friends of Israel delegation, visited Israel and the Palestinian territories. This trip happened around 600 days after the attacks on October 7th, which, as you know, started the current conflict in Gaza. The delegation was led by Jon Pearce MP, who is the chair of Labour Friends of Israel. Other Labour MPs on the trip included Cat Eccles, Kevin McKenna, Peter Prinsley, and Mark Sewards. These visits are pretty typical for the group, allowing them to see things firsthand and talk to people on the ground.
There have been other moments that have drawn attention, too. For example, the mother of a British hostage, Emily Damari, spoke at Labour Friends of Israel's annual lunch. She talked about the UK's vote at the UN for a ceasefire in Gaza that wasn't tied to other conditions, and how that wasn't quite what she felt was needed. This kind of public event, you know, brings together various voices and perspectives, even those that might be a bit challenging for the group's usual stance. Also, a journalist named Owen Jones once pointed out that a former director of Labour Friends of Israel seemed to suggest that reports of patients dying in a hospital after an Israeli missile strike were made up. This kind of comment, you know, really sparks a lot of discussion and concern.
What Are the Goals of Labour Friends of Israel Regarding Peace?
When it comes to peace, Labour Friends of Israel has a very clear idea of what they want to see happen. They constantly talk about Israel being safe and secure, and accepted within its own established borders. But, you know, they also strongly believe that this security for Israel should exist right alongside a Palestinian state that is truly able to stand on its own, is democratic, and independent. It's about finding a way for both peoples to live with dignity and security, in a way.
Members of Parliament from the Labour Party have also been vocal about encouraging the government to support voices in Israel and Palestine that are seen as moderate and willing to work things out. This came up during a statement from the Middle East minister in the House of Commons, where several Labour MPs asked questions about the government's approach to supporting those who seek common ground in the region. This shows, you know, a desire to promote dialogue and practical solutions, rather than just taking sides. They are looking for people who can actually make things happen on the ground, as a matter of fact.
They believe that by strengthening the ties between Britain and Israel, they are also helping to create a more stable environment where a lasting peace can eventually take root. It's a long-term view, you know, that sees the relationship between the UK and Israel as a key part of supporting a future where both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security. This is pretty much at the core of what they advocate for, at the end of the day.
Labour Friends of Israel - A Lobby Group's Self-Description
Labour Friends of Israel has actually described itself as a "Westminster based lobby group." They say their work is all about promoting the state of Israel from within the British Labour Party. This pretty much tells you what their main activity is: trying to get the Labour Party to adopt policies and views that are friendly to Israel. It's a straightforward statement about their purpose, you know, putting it out there for everyone to see.
However, despite this clear self-description, the group has chosen not to share who gives them money. They've also, as a matter of fact, refused to answer questions from publications like Declassified when asked about where their income comes from. This lack of transparency about their funding has been a point of discussion and criticism for some people. It makes some wonder about the influences behind their advocacy, you know, and why they prefer to keep that information private.
There was even a rather direct quote from someone back in 2016, who told Electronic Intifada, "this is not the Labour Friends of Palestine, it's the Labour Friends of Israel." This statement really cuts to the chase, highlighting the group's specific focus and distinguishing it from other groups that might have different priorities in the region. It shows, you know, that they are very clear about whose interests they are working to promote within the Labour Party.
Why Did Labour Friends of Israel Remove Their Public Supporters List?
It's interesting to note that Labour Friends of Israel recently took down its public list of "parliamentary supporters." This happened right before the UK's general election, which is set for July 4th. The timing of this removal, you know, has led to some questions and speculation. Groups often keep such lists public to show their reach and influence within Parliament, so taking it down is a bit unusual for some observers.
Some people have suggested that this move might be related to the upcoming election, perhaps to avoid unwanted attention or scrutiny on individual Labour politicians who support the group. It's pretty common for political groups to adjust their public presence during election campaigns. This decision, you know, could be seen as a way to manage perceptions or to simply avoid making things more complicated for their supporters as they seek re-election or new seats. It’s a strategic choice, as a matter of fact.
The group has been described by some as an "Israeli embassy front group," a term that suggests a very close working relationship. Given this kind of perception, removing the list might be a way to reduce any potential negative associations for Labour candidates during a sensitive political period. It's about controlling the message, you know, and how they are seen by the wider public, especially when every vote counts. This sort of action tends to be very carefully considered.
Key Individuals and Connections Within Labour Friends of Israel
The Labour Friends of Israel group has a number of key people involved, both past and present. For instance, Jon Pearce MP is the current chair of Labour Friends of Israel, and he often leads delegations and speaks on behalf of the group. He's pretty central to their activities, you know, guiding their work and public statements. His role is quite significant in shaping the group's direction and how it interacts with others.
We've also seen other Labour Members of Parliament participate in their activities, such as Cat Eccles, Kevin McKenna, Peter Prinsley, and Mark Sewards, who were part of a recent visit to the region. These individuals, you know, help to give the group a broader base of support within Parliament. Their involvement shows a commitment to the group's goals and a willingness to engage directly with the issues at hand, as a matter of fact.
Looking back a little, Damien Egan, who used to be a mayor in the London Borough of Lewisham, has also been mentioned in connection with the group. And back in 2017, Labour lawmaker Jess Phillips was seen posing with a member of Israel's parliament and Joan Ryan, who was the chairperson of Labour Friends of Israel at the time. These connections, you know, really show how the group builds relationships across different levels of politics, both in the UK and with Israeli figures. It's about networking and building a community of support.
Labour Friends of Israel hides “supporters” list ahead of election
Labour Friends of Israel hides “supporters” list ahead of election
Labour Friends of Israel director to step down - LabourList
