Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel
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]
| Type | Associated Organisation of the Liberal Democrats |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Support and promote policies which lead to peace and security for Israel |
President | Baron Palmer |
Vice Presidents | Baron Alliance Alan Beith Baroness Ludford |
| Affiliations | Liberal Democrats |
| Website | Official website |
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.[2]
History edit
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.[3]
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.[4]
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.[5]
Members of LDFI edit
In alphabetical order, members of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel include:
- Lord Beith, Vice President of LDFI[6]
- Ed Fordham, PPC for Hampstead and Kilburn in 2010 General Elections[7]
- Matthew Harris, PPC for Hendon in the 2010 General Elections[8]
- Lord Palmer of Childs Hill, President of LDFI[9]
- Gavin Stollar, Chairman[10]
- Baroness Ludford, MEP for London
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Objectives of LDFI". Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel. Retrieved 18 December 2007.
- ^ "The Committee | Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel". Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ Kochen, Lionel; Kochan, Miriam (1983). "Great Britain". The American Jewish Year Book. Vol. 83. Springer. pp. 199–207. JSTOR 23604814.
- ^ Davis, Toby (1 July 2020). "Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel Statement on the proposed Israeli annexation of the West Bank". Liberal Democrat Voice. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "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". Board of Deputies of British Jews. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "Boycott plan puts our reputation at risk". The Guardian. 12 June 2007.
- ^ "Lib Dems defend Lord Wallace 'anti-Zionism'". The Jewish Chronicle. 22 April 2010.
- ^ "Election 2010: Profile for Matthew Harris, Liberal Democrat candidate for Hendon". Times Series. 19 April 2010.
- ^ "Why You'll Need a Brave Heart to Vote Lib Dem". The Jewish Chronicle. 22 April 2010.
- ^ "It's naive to think David Ward is the true voice of the Lib Dem's on Israel". The Jewish Chronicle. 28 August 2013.
External links edit
- Official website
- Speech to the Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel, Charles Kennedy, 4 November 2004