New LFI parliamentary chair makes first official visit to Israel and Bahrain
Mark Sewards MP pledges support for peace efforts
Labour Friends of Israel’s parliamentary chair, Mark Sewards MP, has undertaken his first official visit to Israel in the role, meeting with senior leaders including Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Democratic leader Yair Golan.
During his trip, Sewards also travelled to Bahrain.
Reflecting on his visit, he said: “After two years of bloodshed and tragedy for Israelis and Palestinians, it’s never been more critical for the UK to deepen its engagement with longstanding regional allies and partners in pursuit of peace and prosperity.
“I was pleased to visit the Middle East to meet with Israelis, Palestinians, and Bahrainis to explore ways Britain can help build upon the renewed hope provided by the ceasefire in Gaza to advance a two-state solution and expand Israel’s regional integration.”
Sewards’ itinerary included meetings with Yesh Atid MK Shelly Meron, Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, Palestinian political activist Samer Sinijlawi, former Israeli ambassador to Egypt Amira Oron, national security analyst Miri Eisin, British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters, INSS researcher Raz Zimmt, and Gili Roman, brother of former Israeli hostage Yarden Roman-Gat.
He also visited the Civil-Military Coordination Centre in Kiryat Gat, where he was briefed on the recent recovery of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili’s remains from Gaza and discussed issues related to aid delivery and ceasefire monitoring.
In a historic first ever LFI visit to Bahrain, the MP met with government and civil society leaders. In his meetings with Members of Parliament and Members of the Shura Council, Britain’s ambassador to Bahrain, Alistair Long, and Bahrain’s Ambassador to Israel, Khaled Yousef Al Jalahma, he discussed the transformative potential of the Abraham Accords and the role of regional states in advancing the ceasefire in Gaza.
He also met with Houda Nonoo, founding board member of the Association of Gulf Jewish Communities and former Bahraini ambassador to the United States, and went on a tour of Manama’s Coexistence Pathway. He expressed his hope for greater regional harmony and integration in the year ahead.
In his meeting with President Herzog, Sewards emphasised the importance of UK-Israel relations and addressed the global rise in antisemitism.
He also praised Israel’s centre-left parties in discussions with Golan and Meron, commending their efforts to safeguard Israel’s liberal democratic identity.
Sewards reaffirmed his support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Iranian-backed terror groups, and highlighted the need for the UK to deepen diplomatic and defence ties with Israel, while cautioning against unilateral actions that could impede progress towards a two-state solution.
He met with Sinijlawi to discuss Palestinian Authority reforms and the vital work of grassroots organisations countering extremism.
Sewards reiterated LFI’s longstanding commitment to peacebuilding, noting its support for the upcoming International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, which will convene in London this March.
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