CFI director Stuart Polak elevated to House of Lords

By Justin Cohen

Long-term Conservative Friends of Israel director Stuart Polak has been elevated to the House of Lords – and will leave the post he has held for a quarter of a century.

Lord Polak’s peerage was announced just months after he picked up a CBE at Buckingham Palace earlier this year.
He will vacate his CFI role ahead of his introduction to the upper chamber.

A statement from the organisation’s chairs Andrew Heller and Hilda Worth, treasurer Stephen Massey and parliamentary chair Sir Eric Pickles said: “This notable achievement is the culmination of work done, over many years, in both strengthening and developing the Anglo-Israel relationship. It is also recognition of the significance and success of CFI as an organisation. We celebrate this richly deserved accomplishment.

“We are confident that CFI’s significant contribution to UK-Israel relations will continue to grow.”

Robert Halfon, deputy chair of the Conservative Party who worked under Polak at CFI before entering the commons in 2010, said: “I am absolutely delighted for Stuart, who is a wonderful person, a brilliant campaigner for Israel and the Conservative Party. The Lords will be enriched with his wisdom, political nous and knowledge of the Party.”

Lynne Featherstone, who served as equalities minister in the Coalition Government before losing her seat at the last election, is also awarded a peerage.