Labour Friends of Israel

Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) is a parliamentary group within the UK Labour Party that aims to promote a strong bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Israel. It advocates for policies that support Israel's security and its right to self-determination. LFI is currently newsworthy due to the cancellation of a school visit by Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East, who also serves as a vice-chair of LFI. The cancellation occurred after opposition from pro-Palestine activists and members of the National Education Union, who cited Egan's perceived support for Israel's military actions in Gaza as the reason for their objection. This incident has led to a snap inspection of the school by Ofsted and a promise of action from Labour leader Keir Starmer against those who pushed for the cancellation. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions and debates surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on political discourse within the UK.