Rachel Reeves tells conference reception: I will always be a friend of Israel
In emotional speech at LFI's annual reception at Labour conference the chancellor said she recognised many in the community had 'disagreements with decisions the government has made'
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered an emotional speech at Labour Friends of Israel’s conference reception in which she stressed her own support for the Jewish state at a time many in the community had “disagreements with decisions the government has made.”
Speaking at Tuesday evening’s event in Liverpool – which also saw Shaun Lemel, a survivor of the Nova music festival massacre on 7 October 2023, speak to the 500 attendees – Reeves said:”I will be here for you this year, next year, and the year after that – I will always be with you.
“As a friend of Israel, and as a Labour Friend of Israel.”
But in a clear reference to Keir Starmer’s government stance on Israel, including the recent decision to recognise a Palestinian state, she added:”I know many of you have had disagreements with decisions the government has made – but you know that in me you will always have a friend in the cabinet to the Jewish community and to Israel.”
Reeves later said she wanted to stress the sincerity of her message to Jewish News readers. She also praised the bravery of Nova music festival survivor Lemel, saying, “It can’t be easy to tell that story and relive those memories. But it is so important that you do, so that people never forget what happened on October 7, the biggest single massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.”
Reeves added she was “very sorry to have had to stand down” as an LFI vice-chair upon her appointment as Chancellor, but that the Jewish community would “always have a friend in the cabinet and in the battle against antisemitism” in her.
Jewish News understands that Keir Starmer was travelling as part of a prior commitment and had left Liverpool following his keynote conference speech earlier.
Lemel, a 26-year-old Israeli–American, had flown to the UK with his younger brother, Ben, to speak at the LFI event at the Labour conference.
He recalled the nightmare of the Hamas massacre and said, “as much as October 7 was about terror and loss, it also revealed to me. something strong.
“I saw courage, I saw solidarity, and I saw humanity. Even in the darkest hour, people chose to save someone. This is why I chose to move back to Israel. I was lucky to survive and continue with my life. But also, I want to be honest with you, something is wrong. It can be a sound, or a smell… it takes me straight back to October 7.”
In his remarks, LFI vice-chair Damien Egan MP, paid tribute to former chair Jon Pearce MP, who stepped down this month following his appointment as the Prime Minister’s parliamentary private secretary.
Reflecting on developments towards a ceasefire yesterday, he added: “Israel has accepted the deal; the ball is in Hamas’ court: It’s time for a ceasefire; the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages; and a surge of aid into Gaza.”
He also condemned the motion passed at the Labour conference on Monday, which made no reference to Hamas or the 7 October attacks, as “shameful” and “doing nothing to advance the goals that the government and we in this room all share”.
International Development Minister Baroness Chapman told the assembled crowd that meeting with Israeli hostage families in May 2025 was “something I will never forget” and the commitment she made to work to free the hostages as a minister.
Referencing the US-Israeli agreed peace deal announced yesterday, she said: “We will do everything we can to secure that peace”.
The reception was also addressed by LFI lay chair Adrian Cohen and LFI director Michael Rubin.
Middle East minister Hamish Falconer also attended.
Others to attend the reception included MPs Luke Akehurst, Christian Wakeford, Gurinder Josan, along with the peer Lord Katz.
Communal leaders at the event included Jewish Leadership Council chief executive Keith Black, Board of Deputies president Phil Rosenberg, and Holocaust Educational Trust chief exec Karen Pollock, along with Adam Langleben, Progressive Britain’s executive director, and former Board president Marie van der Zyl.
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