Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel
 | |
| 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 |
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'.
The President of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel is Baron Palmer. The Vice Presidents are Alan Beith, Baron Alliance, and Baroness Ludford. The Chair is Gavin Stollar and the Vice Chair is Jonathan Davies.
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.
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.
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.
Members of LDFI
In alphabetical order, members of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel include:
- Alan Beith, Vice President of LDFI
- Ed Fordham, PPC for Hampstead and Kilburn in 2010 General Elections
- Matthew Harris, PPC for Hendon in the 2010 General Elections
- Baron Palmer, President of LDFI
- Gavin Stollar, Chairman
- Baroness Ludford, MEP for London