JJP lobbies Labour Shadow Minister for the Middle East

On 6 September 2023, JJP lobbied Wayne David MP, the Shadow Minister for the Middle East. We discussed the Conservative Party’s shameful Policy Paper “2030 roadmap for UK-Israel bilateral relations “, and the anti-BDS bill which is the policy paper’s evil child. We originally asked for the meeting in March before Bill was published, when Bambos Charalambous was Shadow Minister. Due to delays after he was replaced by Wayne David, the meeting only took place in September.

Our letter to the former Shadow Minister is below.

13 May 2023

Bambos Charalambous MP

Shadow Minster for the Middle East

Dear Mr. Charalambous,

We are writing to request a meeting to discuss two current issues affecting the United Kingdom’s polices towards the Israeli occupation and Palestinian rights. .

Firstly, we urge the Labour Party to support Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran’s Private Members Bill mandating recognition of the State of Palestine. We understand that the Party intends to support it.

Secondly, we want to discuss the present Conservative Government’s shameful “policy paper”, “2030 roadmap for UK-Israel bilateral relations “. Its only reference to Palestine or Palestinians is this single sentence: “We will cooperate in improving Palestinian livelihoods and Palestinian economic development.” It completely ignores the occupation, the settlements, and Palestinian rights. It treats serious criticism of Israeli policies as “disproportionate” or proof of antisemitism.

We are seeking an assurance that a Labour Government would continue to uphold UK policies of supporting the rulings of the International Court of Justice and the Security Council that settlements are illegal, discouraging trade with settlements, working to end the occupation and supporting Security Council resolutions which hold israel to account for breaking internationa law.

We hope to hear from you shortly to arrange a meeting.

Yours sincerely,

Arthur Goodman, Diplomatic and Parliamentary Officer,