ZF/CFI Lobby Day

The annual lobby of parliament organised jointly by the Zionist Federation and Christian Friends of Israel took place on 5th March. A number of us used the opportunity to make contact with our local North London MPs.

The picture shows Theresa Villiers MP (Con, Chipping Barnet) with a number of her constituents. The main topic of the day was the racist, hate-filled curriculum used in Palestinian schools. However, the discussion took in a number of topics including settlements, Jews from Arab lands and intimidation of pro-Israel speakers in our universities.

Thanks to Theresa for her time and support, and to her staff for organising the meeting.

More pictures from the Lobby Day

The IHRA definition of antisemitism

Israel-haters demonstrate against the IHRA definition.

Debates about Israel have recently been intimately bound up with debates about antisemitism. The resurgence of antisemitism – particularly, but not exclusively, in the Labour Party – has frightened and angered the Jewish community, and indeed all decent people.

But what is antisemitism? The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is a group of countries, including the UK, that has sought to combat this evil, and has produced a working definition of antisemitism to guide people working in this area. This definition has widespread support within the Jewish community and among pro-Israel activists. It is accepted by the British government and most public authorities in this country.

However, it has come under attack from Israel-haters, precisely because it recognises that many anti-Israel tropes are, or can be, antisemitic.

This article by a philosopher and a lawyer defend the definition. A must-read for anyone in the position of having to promote or defend the definition within their workplace, trade union or other organisation.

 

New BICOM Report: Britain and Israel building new strategic partnership

An encouraging report from BICOM about the state of UK-Israel relations. Spoiler alert – they’re in great shape.

Read the report here: UK-Israel_The-New-Strategic-Relationship-Jan-2020.

Another successful street stall

This time in Hampstead, last Sunday 19th January. Lots of leaflets given out and new people signed up to our mailing list.

Street stall in Golders Green

With renewed hope and optimism, and faith in our fellow countrymen and women, we continued our campaigning for Israel with a street stall in Golders Green on Sunday. Thanks to all who helped, and to the members of the public who engaged with us and signed up to our mailing list.

The threat of Corbynism is removed from our lives – for now

Thank you Britain. Thanks to the millions of decent voters, of all political persuasions, who saw through the hatred and bigotry of the present Labour leadership and ensured that Jewish people will continue to feel comfortable regarding this wonderful country as their home.

We hope that Labour will reflect and learn from this so that organisations like ours will never again have to take up partisan positions, and so that Jewish people and supporters of Israel can feel comfortable in any UK political party.

We are delighted at the return to Parliament of some local friends. Theresa Villiers, Matthew Offord, Mike Freer, Bob Blackman.

Theresa Villiers MP speaking at our 2017 event

Joan Ryan

We are deeply sorry that former Enfield North MP Joan Ryan was driven out of Parliament by the extremists in her party. Joan, we will miss your passion and commitment on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people. We thank you for everything and wish you well for the future.

Joan Ryan MP speaking at an NLFI event in 2018

 

The General Election. An urgent message to our supporters

The General Election – an urgent message to our supporters

North London Friends of Israel has always been, and remains, an inclusive, non-partisan and non-sectarian organisation. We are neither right-wing nor left-wing, Brexit or Remain. Our supporters include people who are all of these. We welcome everyone, of all faiths and none, who supports Israel and wishes to help us put Israel’s case to our local community. We have always sought to do this in a non-partisan fashion.

However, this is no ordinary general election.

The leader of the Labour Party, and its candidate for Prime Minister of this country, has turned his party into a haven for Jew-haters, Israel boycotters and Holocaust deniers.

Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party is not the party we knew – and many supported – in the past.
Good, principled MPs – Ian Austin, John Mann, Luciana Berger, Louise Ellman, John Woodcock, Joan Ryan and many others – have left or been hounded out of Labour by overtly racist, antisemitic intimidation.

Moderates who remain are falling into line behind Corbyn. This sanitises his racist policies and those of his supporters, increasing the likelihood of him becoming Prime Minister.

A victory for Labour would radically increase the level of open antisemitism in Britain. It would destroy Britain’s relationship with Israel and align it with  genocidal terrorists and dictatorial regimes who wish to wipe Israel off the map.

Unfortunately, it no longer matters how good or decent your local Labour candidate is. All Labour candidates are committed to making Corbyn Prime Minister.

A vote for Labour is a vote for Corbyn.

To fight this hatred we urge you to Stop Corbyn.

Please vote for whichever candidate is most likely to prevent a Labour victory.

Signed North London Friends of Israel.

Corbyn lays a wreath at the graves of the Munich terrorists