Jeremy Corbyn WILL speak at Labour Friends of Israel event

Jeremy Corbyn has accepted an invitation to address Labour Friends of Israel’s fringe event at the party’s annual conference next week.

Reappointed shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn and Erel Margalit of the Israeli Labor Party are already confirmed for the reception in Brighton.

Ed Miliband, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair were all regular speakers at the annual gathering but all eyes will be on whether Corbyn, one of the most prominent critics of Israel as a backbencher, takes the opportunity to set out his stance as leader.

LFI parliamentary chair Joan Ryan said: “I’m looking forward to welcoming the leader of the Labour party and shadow foreign secretary to this year’s LFI reception. I hope this will mark the start of a conversation on how the next Labour government can best contribute to the peace process and a two-state solution.”

She added: “It would be wrong to turn away. There’s no reason to believe dialogue is not welcome. We have an open door and we will go through it with all our good and strong arguments.” 

LFI will also hold a joint panel discussion with BICOM on why one state is no solution. Speakers there will include Ilford South MP Mike Gapes, parliamentary candidate at the last election Sarah Sackman and Ryan.