Keir Starmer holds call with Israeli Labor leader Merav Michaeli

Sir Keir Starmer held a phone call with Israel’s Labor leader Merav Michaeli, days before the Jewish state goes to the polls again.

Taking to Twitter, Michaeli shared a picture of herself on the phone, saying: “The connection between Havoda Party and Labour is critical. We agreed that that Labor must strengthen, grow and rebuild to once again be a party of power. Israel needs to rebuild its international links. I’m on it.”

Welcoming the conversation between the two leaders, Labour Friends of Israel chair Steve McCabe MP said: “I’m delighted that Keir has spoken to Israeli Labor leader Merav Michaeli to wish her good luck for the Israeli election.

“This is a positive first step in rebuilding the relationship with our sister party and demonstrating to it, and the wider Israeli public that, under Keir, Labour is changing for the better: progress is being made on tackling antisemitism and the party is returning to its longstanding position of support for the Jewish state.”

READ MORE:

• Meet the driving force behind Israeli Labor’s rebuild  
• Voice of the Jewish News: To Bibi or not to Bibi?  

This comes after strained relations between the Israeli Labor party and the UK Labour Party, under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.

Havoda leader between 2017 and 2019, Avi Gabbay, suspended ties with Jeremy Corbyn in April 2018, accusing him “showing hostility to the Jewish community” and “allowing antisemitic statements and actions”.

Corbyn had the Labour whip suspended in October 2020 following comments about the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report into antisemitism.

Israel is holding its fourth election in two years on 23 March.