Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel explained

Type:Associated Organisation of the Liberal Democrats
Purpose:Support and promote policies which lead to peace and security for Israel
Leader Title:President
Leader Name:Baron Palmer
Leader Title2:Vice Presidents
Leader Name2:Baron Alliance
Alan Beith
Baroness Ludford
Affiliations:Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel (LDFI) is an associated organisation whose stated objective is to 'maximise support for the State of Israel within the British Liberal Democrat Party', and to 'promote policies which lead to peace and security for Israel within a Middle East peace settlement'.[1]

History

The Liberal Friends of Israel group was the first friends of Israel group in the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

The SDP Friends of Israel group was formed in July 1981 with Bill Rodgers as President.[2]

The Liberal Friends of Israel and the SDP Friends of Israel groups were amalgamated into the Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel when the parties merged in 1988.

In July 2020, the LDFI issued a statement expressing "deep concern" about plans by the Israeli government to annex part of the West Bank.[3]

In October 2020, the LDFI and the Board of Deputies of British Jews jointly wrote to Mendip District Council urging it to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, after the council voted unanimously against adopting it.[4]

Leadership

The President of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel is Lord Palmer of Childs Hill. The Vice Presidents are Lord Beith, Lord Alliance, and Baroness Ludford. The Chair is Gavin Stollar and the Vice Chair is Jonathan Davies.[5]

Members of LDFI

In alphabetical order, members of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel include:

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Objectives of LDFI. Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel. 2007-12-18.
  2. Book: Kochen. Lionel. The American Jewish Year Book. Kochan. Miriam. Springer. 1983. 83. 199–207. Great Britain. 23604814.
  3. News: Davis. Toby. 1 July 2020. Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel Statement on the proposed Israeli annexation of the West Bank. Liberal Democrat Voice. 27 March 2021.
  4. Web site: 6 October 2020. Board of Deputies - Board of Deputies and Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel urge Mendip Council to support international definition of antisemitism following vote to reject it. 27 March 2021. Board of Deputies of British Jews.
  5. Web site: The Committee Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel. 27 March 2021. Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel.
  6. News: Boycott plan puts our reputation at risk. 12 June 2007. The Guardian.
  7. News: Lib Dems defend Lord Wallace 'anti-Zionism'. April 22, 2010. The Jewish Chronicle.
  8. News: Election 2010: Profile for Matthew Harris, Liberal Democrat candidate for Hendon. 19 April 2010. Times Series. Alex Hayes.
  9. News: Why You'll Need a Brave Heart to Vote Lib Dem. April 22, 2010. The Jewish Chronicle.
  10. News: It's naive to think David Ward is the true voice of the Lib Dem's on Israel . 28 August 2013. The Jewish Chronicle.