Labour Party activists shown ‘realities of daily life’ on visit to Israel and the West Bank
The Labour Friends of Israel and the We Believe In Israel groups staged a joint delegation saying it is 'crucial as many people in the Party at all levels have the opportunity to visit' the region
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
A delegation of senior Labour Party activists have been taken on a first time visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories to help improve understanding of the complex issues at stake in the region.
The group, who included leaders from Labour affiliates, think tanks and campaign groups, visited Yad Vashem, the Knesset, met with Israeli Labor leader Merav Michaeli, and Palestinian representatives , during last week’s visit, organised jointly by the Labour Friends of Israel and We Believe In Israel organisations.
One of the participants, Josh Willams, deputy director of the influential Labour Together group, and a speechwriter for senior MPs, tweeted that the visit allowed him to meet “extraordinary people, both Israelis and Palestinians, committed to two states and peace. ”
He added “whether you are of any faith or none” the opportunity to visit the region had proved “profoundly powerful .”
Peymana Assad, Harrow Labour councillor and Labour Foreign Policy Group co-founder and co-chair said: “It has been a privilege to join this delegation and to see first-hand the realities of everyday life for Israelis and Palestinians.
“Visiting the region has furthered my understanding of the challenges and complexities, and ultimately the need for a negotiated two-state solution.
“It has been an honour to meet young Israelis and Palestinians who continue to have hope for a more peaceful and prosperous future.”
During their time in Israel activists visited the Gaza border and while in the West Bank they travelled to Ramallah, meeting with Elias Zananiri, vice-chairman of the PLO’s committee for interaction with Israeli Society.
LFI director Michael Rubin said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to take this delegation of senior Labour activists to Israel.
“As we approach the next General Election and work towards a Labour government, it’s crucial that as many people in the Party at all levels have the opportunity to visit Israel.
“Being here has allowed the activists to understand the beauty and complexity of this region, and to give their support and solidarity to the progressives in both Israel and Palestine who are working in pursuit of peace and a two-state solution.”
We Believe in Israel Director Luke Akehurst said: “We are very proud to partner with LFI on bringing this high-powered group of Labour activists to see Israel and the West Bank on their first visit.
“This is the latest in a long-standing successful series of study tours where we have taken British political activists to the region to deepen their understanding of Israel and the issues it faces.”
Participants also toured Jerusalem’s Old City, Ben Gurion University, and the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation.
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