Labour Friends of Israel stand missing from annual conference
LFI will not exhibit for first time in recent memory but its fringe will go ahead with Tom Watson among speakers
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
Labour Friends of Israel will be conspicuous by its absence among the exhibitors at the party’s annual conference this year.
Jewish News has learnt LFI will not be joining organisations as diverse as Young Labour, the BBC, British Heart Foundation and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in taking a stand at the event in Liverpool. It is the first time the group doesn’t feature in the diverse list of exhibitors in recent memory.
A source told the Jewish News: “Last year the LFI stand at conference became a magnet for conspiracy theorists and young staff members were put in uncomfortable positions. It is with great regret that it was therefore decided not to have a stand this year.”
As in previous years, LFI will hold a fringe event, with deputy leader Tom Watson and LFI chair Joan Ryan among the speakers. Israel Labor MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin will also take part.
The Jewish Labour Movement will today hold a rally featuring a number of MPs including Rosie Duffield, who recently faces the threat of censure by her local party, and Jon Lansman.
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