British parliament to debate Israeli influence on UK politics: What we know
The debate comes after a petition expressed concern over Israeli lobbies’ influence in the UK. The UK’s parliament is expected to debate the need for
The debate comes after a petition expressed concern over Israeli lobbies’ influence in the UK. The UK’s parliament is expected to debate the need for an inquiry into Israeli influence on British politics on Monday. This debate, which will be broadcast on the parliament YouTube channel, was triggered after a petition gathered more than 118,000 signatures. Launched on January 28 this year, the petition raises concerns “about reported Israeli state-linked and pro-Israel lobbying activity in UK politics. We believe it is important to determine the scope and impact of any such influence campaigns”. It adds: “We feel that the horrific devastation in Gaza, the ongoing suppression of Palestinians in the West Bank, and the UK’s political response underline the urgent need to scrutinise how pro-Israel organisations, networks, and lobbying efforts may shape government decisions, party policy, and public debate.” The petition has gained 118,306 signatures so far. Petitions which gain more than 100,000 signatures are automatically put forward for parliamentary debate. The country’s Labour government has said it does not support the petition. It stated on April 17: “There is an existing framework for transparency around lobbying of the UK government and Parliament.” Are pro-Israeli government lobbies trying to influence British politics? Why do UK members of parliament want to debate the issue of Israeli influence on politics? Here’s what we know Who has put forward this petition and why? A member of the public, Andy Kalil, started the petition in January. Kalil told The New Arab publication in March: “I launched the petition after seeing a parliamentary petition about Russian influence in UK politics. Many of the comments underneath were asking, ‘What about Zionist influence?’ So, I thought I’d write the petition. I was a bit surprised that no one had got there before me.” “The response has been remarkable and very much a collective effort. I’m extremely grateful to everyone who’s signed or shared it,” he said. Kalil said he had attempted two previous petitions. One which called for aid flotillas to be dispatched to Gaza was unsuccessful, and the other calling on the British government to recognise Israel’s war on Gaza as a genocide was blocked. What are some of the known pro-Israeli lobby groups in the UK? According to the watchdog Track Israel Lobby UK and British media organisation Declassified UK, some of the Israeli lobbies, most of which advocate for a two-state solution for Palestine, include Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI), which dedicates itself to strengthening ties between the former ruling Conservative Party and the State of Israel. Labour Friends of Israel (LFI), which focuses on strengthening ties between the ruling Labour Party and Israel. Liberal Democrats Friends of Israel, which is an affiliated grassroots organisation within the UK Liberal Democrat Party. Northern Ireland Friends of Israel which focuses on improving relations between Northern Ireland and the State of Israel.
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