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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

LFPME welcomes Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband's statement today. We are proud to support a Labour Government committed to justice, peace and equality. (1/6) 🧵

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Congratulations to Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband. As Labour Leader, he led the 2014 vote to recognise Palestine, demonstrating the principled leadership and moral conviction that have defined his career. We welcomed him to our xmas reception and look forward to working together. 🌹

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Congratulations to @andyburnham.bsky.social on becoming Prime Minister. We look forward to working together on our shared commitment to the rule of law and ensuring the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination through a safe, sovereign, and viable two-state solution. 🇬🇧🤝🇵🇸

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Thank you to Yvette Cooper, @lucympowell.bsky.social, Hamish Falconer, Husam Zomlot and the PLP for joining our annual Summer Reception last night, and to our co-Chairs @sarahowen.org.uk and @jamesasser.bsky.social. We re-affirmed our commitment to peace, accountability and a two-state solution.

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Lucy Powell MP @lucympowell.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Good to be with so many friends and colleagues tonight at @lfpme.bsky.social The Labour Party’s commitment to justice, freedom and security for Palestinians is unwavering.

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

LFPME welcomes the measures announced yesterday - but they must be followed up with robust enforcement measures to ensure no UK entity is complicit in supporting illegal settlements.

LFPME welcomes yesterday's package of measures to tackle the unacceptable and illegal increase in settler activity across the West Bank.

Settler violence is a tool used to dispossess Palestinians, seize land, expand settlements, and undermine the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.

The UK Government has long acknowledged that illegal settlements are a major obstacle to peace and to a viable two-state solution; in the months since recognising the State of Palestine, Israel has accelerated settlements, obstructed humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza and expanded its war to destabilise the region. The government of Israel has made clear its total disregard for international law and multilateral efforts to secure peace and accountability.

The UK must ensure that British companies, banks, investment funds, charities, and public institutions are not complicit in activities that sustain or benefit from illegal settlements. Anything less risks undermining both international law and the UK's commitment to uphold it.

If the international community is serious about defending a rules-based international order, there must be clear legal, financial, and diplomatic consequences for those who support, enable, or profit from settlement expansion and the ongoing occupation.

The government should not rule out further sanctions if necessary to protect the survival of a two-state solution which remains the only path to a sustainable peace.

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Melanie Ward MP @melanieward.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

We are deeply concerned at the vast rise in violent Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians, and at settlement expansion, which forces Palestinians off their land. The Israeli government itself is clear this is designed to prevent a 2 state solution ever being realised. (2/2)

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Melanie Ward MP @melanieward.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Together with almost 140 fellow Labour MPs, I have written to the Foreign Secretary to call for a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements. Our group includes every Labour select committee chair. It’s time to be clear that settlements have no viable economic future (1/2)

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Words of condemnation have so far done little to deter ongoing violations. We must now act to pressure Israeli authorities to adhere by the terms of the October ceasefire, protect international law, increase aid and humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and uphold accountability.

Statement that reads:

"Netanyahu’s announcement yesterday of an order to seize 70% of the Gaza strip is an act that violates the ceasefire agreed in October, breaks international law, and critically undermines any future for Palestinian statehood.

Since the UK’s recognition of the State of Palestine, increasing settler activity and violence in the West Bank, including the E1 plan, has put the two-state solution at enormous risk. If Israel is allowed to expand its de-facto annexation to Gaza, we will be as far as ever from the possibility of peace.

The UK government must increase the range of sanctions, and extend those already placed on violent settlers and extremist politicians, to stand up for the viability of the state it has recognised, and the rule of international law.

Words of condemnation have so far done little to deter ongoing violations. We must now act to pressure Israeli authorities to adhere by the terms of the October ceasefire, protect international law, increase aid and humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and uphold accountability.

This is the only way to preserve the viability of the State of Palestine and thus the two-state solution to which we are committed."

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

LFPME are deeply saddened to see another violent attack targeting the Jewish community in London. Antisemitism should have no place in the UK and these latest attacks are abhorrent.

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 28/04/2026

Israel's E1 settlement plan is a particular concern - it undermines the viability of a Palestinian state and is a direct breach of international law. I will continue to take this matter up at the highest levels.

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 28/04/2026

It was a pleasure to meet with Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan HE Manar Dabbas, to discuss shared concerns about the escalating situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and peace in the region more generally. 🇬🇧🇯🇴

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

LFPME is deeply concerned that the FCDO is closing the international humanitarian law (IHL) cell. The cell did essential work establishing the UK government’s obligations under IHL and tracked breaches in Gaza and Lebanon. (1/5) 🧵

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

LFPME welcomes the ceasefire agreed between Israel and Lebanon yesterday. We ask the international community to use every diplomatic channel to hold all parties to this agreement. (1/5)

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 08/04/2026

“We call upon all sides to implement the ceasefire, including in Lebanon.” A key and important sentence in a welcome joint statement from our government, European countries, Canada and Japan.

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

The E1 settlement plan is a flagrant breach of international law and critically threatens the viability of a Palestinian state.

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Yesterday alongside @caabu.bsky.social & the Britain-Palestine APPG we hosted the Ambassadors of Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Jordan & Saudi Arabia, and representatives from Qatar & the Arab League, for a briefing on the US-Israel war in the Middle East and its impact on the region.

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

LFPME Statement on military escalation in the Middle East 👇

Statement that reads: Unilateral military action by the USA and Israel, and retaliatory strikes by Iran, have set off a regional conflict, leading to mass instability and civilian casualties across the Middle East. We welcome the Prime Minister's commitment to refrain from further UK involvement without lawful justification, a viable plan and Parliamentary agreement. It remains crucial that we focus on de-escalation and negotiation with allies committed to peace, security and the rule of law.

We must learn from history that military escalation leads only to long-term instability. The Iranian regime brutally repressed and murdered its own people, and the death of Ayatollah Khamenei will not be mourned.

The United Nations Secretary General and our European allies have warned that this military action risks violating international law and have called for de-escalation and the resumption of diplomatic talks. It is crucial we work with them and our regional allies to prioritise peace and stability, not more violence.

We urge the government to ensure that any further UK involvement does not breach international law or threaten the security of the UK and its citizens.

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

LFPME welcomes @jamesasser.bsky.social, who is taking on the role of co-Chair alongside @sarahowen.org.uk from this month. 🌹🤝🇵🇸

Picture of James Asser MP with the title "co-Chair: LFPME"

Picture of Sarah Owen MP with the title "co-Chair: LFPME"

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Building a strong and lasting peace in Gaza must be led by existing international bodies and within existing frameworks of international law, and must involve Palestinians.

Statement that reads:

*LFPME Statement on Gaza “Board of Peace”*

Building a sustainable and lasting peace in Gaza must be led by existing international bodies and within existing frameworks of international law.

The US President’s “Board of Peace”, which has been widely criticised by UN member states, is not a solution. It includes no Palestinian representation. In including Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for violations of international law, and whose government and ministers oppose a two-state solution, the Board has shown that it cannot be a vehicle of peace.

Netanyahu’s government continues to undermine the UN, recently demolishing UNWRA buildings in East Jerusalem and de-registering international NGOs distributing humanitarian aid.

A path forward must respect the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, a two-state solution, and prioritise alleviating the enormous suffering still present in Gaza. It must be rooted in international law and uphold the principles of equality and human rights. Trump’s “Board of Peace” undermines these goals and those working to achieve them.

The UK government must redouble its efforts to work with our allies to achieve a genuine and lasting peace that involves representation from Israelis and Palestinians.

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 09/01/2026

Winter in Gaza is making the need for aid even more urgent - yet the Israeli government has de-registered key NGOs that provide this aid. I have written to the Middle East Minister alongside our members, to ask what more the UK is doing to ensure innocent civilians urgently get the aid they need.

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 11/11/2025

Today, we honour the memory of all who gave their lives in service to our country, and extend heartfelt thanks to the courageous personnel who continue to serve. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 25/10/2025

Congrats to @lucympowell.bsky.social! You’ve got the guts and the fight in you to help us win again. 🌹 Time to unite, be bold and true to our Labour values. We're the party that built the NHS, the minimum wage and equal pay. Labour wins not despite our progressive values, but because of them.

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Lucy Powell MP @lucympowell.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

Really delighted to have the support of Labour Friends of Palestine @lfpme.bsky.social Thank you.

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

Following a decision of our Executive Committee, LFPME is endorsing Lucy Powell to be Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. You can read Lucy’s statement to us here ⬇️ @lucympowell.bsky.social

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 09/10/2025

This morning’s news of a deal being reached for the first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza is a moment of hope at a time when endless violence felt inevitable.

Statement from Sarah Owen MP that reads:

This morning’s news of a deal being reached for the first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza is a moment of hope at a time when endless violence felt inevitable.

It will come as an enormous relief for the millions who have been trapped in Gaza and faced endless bombardment from the Israeli military, famine and forced displacement. It will also come as a relief for the hostages and their families. All have endured unimaginable suffering.

The plan must now be implemented in full. There must be no delay to an end to the Israeli military’s offensive in Gaza, nor to an immediate increase in aid reaching civilians in Gaza. It must also be the start of a longer process, supported by allies in the region, leading to a two-state solution.

May this moment of hope be the start of the end for a war that has caused unconscionable suffering to Palestinians, Israelis and countless others in the Middle East.

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 07/10/2025

Two years on from the horrific terror attacks of 7th October that resulted in the largest killing of Jewish people since the Holocaust, renewed focus must be placed on peace in the Middle East.

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

We are sickened by the antisemitic terrorist attack on a synagogue in Crumpsall this morning. We send our condolences to the loved ones of those killed. We are also sending our thoughts and support to Jewish communities here in the UK. [1/4]

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 02/10/2025

My thoughts are with the victims of the horrendous attack in Crumpsall today, and the whole Jewish community in Manchester and across the UK on Judaism's holiest day, Yom Kippur. There must never be any place for this sickening violence in our country.

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 30/09/2025

Day 2 at #Lab25 involved… A meeting with the British Deaf Association to discuss their work on access to BSL 🧏🏻‍♀️ Speaking to @lfpme.bsky.social as we mark our recognition of Palestine 🇵🇸 Celebrating the contributions of British Muslims with Equi 🎂 Looking forward to more today! 🌹

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

LFPME’s statement on the UK Government’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine ⬇️ /🧵 [1/7]

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 21/09/2025

🇬🇧🤝🇵🇸 The UK has formally recognised the State of Palestine. 🧵👇

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Lucy Powell MP @lucympowell.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Good to join so many colleagues with Ambassador of Palestine, Husam Zomlot to commemorate recognition of Palestine, something I’ve long supported. Great to see so much support of @lfpme.bsky.social at this important moment.

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Simon Opher @simonforstroud.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

A further statement on my denial of entry into Israel.

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Dr Peter Prinsley MP @peterprinsleymp.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

A joint statement from Dr Peter Prinsley MP and Dr Simon Opher MP:

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 05/09/2025

I’m incredibly sad to see my friend Angela Rayner leave government. We can’t now risk losing touch with who we are and who our party was founded to serve. Whatever comes next, the Labour Party must speak to, deliver for and unite the country. That’s what people asked us to do last year.

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Tan Dhesi MP @tandhesi.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

#Netanyahu’s blockade and weaponisation of starvation have plunged #Gaza into #famine. The Israeli Government, which continues to deny the #starvation that exists in the very territory it seeks to #occupy, must bring to an end the horrors unfolding before our eyes.

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 02/09/2025

55,000 pregnant women face starvation by this time next year unless more aid gets into Gaza now. Yet this man-made famine continues as the Israeli military blocks aid access. The UK must use sanctions and every diplomatic avenue to end the Israeli government's starvation of Gaza.

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Tan Dhesi MP @tandhesi.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

As #famine in #Gaza is officially declared by the UN, this man-made disaster must spur humanity into action. With intolerable starvation, we need immediate ceasefire, unhindered aid access, end to occupation and settlements, and #Palestine recognition. www.sloughexpress.co.uk/gallery/coun...

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 18/08/2025

"Recognition is neither a reward for one party nor a punishment for another; it is a long-overdue affirmation of the Palestinian people’s unconditional right to exist and live freely in a state of their own" Read @lfpme.bsky.social article in @labourlist.bsky.social 👇

labourlist.org

'Palestine recognition is the first, not final, step to achieving a durable peace' - LabourList

Calls to delay recognition until after negotiations serve only to entrench the status quo, granting the occupying power, Israel, an effective veto over Palestinian rights.

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 11/08/2025

Any targetting of journalists in Gaza and across the world is a blatant and despicable breach of international law. Article 79 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Convention, explicitly states that journalists in war zones should be treated as civilians and protected. /1

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Yuan Yang @yuanfenyang.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

I’ve long called for recognition of the state of Palestine. This week the UK has taken leadership on this issue internationally - making historic progress with its allies… 🧵 (0/5)

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Tan Dhesi MP @tandhesi.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

#UK recognition of a #Palestinian state would have a profound impact on advancing #TwoStateSolution. Facing unconscionable suffering in #Gaza, we must act and I’m grateful to the Government for having listened to us, so that lasting #peace and #progress for all can be achieved.

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 30/07/2025

Recognition is not a reward, it is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and an essential part of a two-state solution and path to peace. (1/3)

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Our statement in response to the UK Government's announcement of Palestinian state recognition 👇

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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 28/07/2025

The right to self-determination for Palestinians is absolute. I spoke to Radio 4 about recognition being only the first step towards peace - but it is an essential one.

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

We are grateful to Scottish Labour MSPs for adding their names in support of our statement on recognition. Alongside yesterday’s statement from Anas Sarwar, it sends a clear message that all Scottish Labour MSPs support recognition of the State of Palestine.

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Yuan Yang @yuanfenyang.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Tonight, France has announced it will recognise the state of Palestine at the UNGA conference in September. Since this letter was published, many more Labour MPs have joined our call for immediate recognition. I urge the UK to make progress on this issue with our European partners tomorrow morning.

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Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Statement from PM Starmer just now on Gaza

“The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible. While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe.

“I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace. We all agree on the pressing need for Israel to change course and allow the aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay.

“It is hard to see a hopeful future in such dark times. But I must reiterate my call for all sides to engage in good faith, and at pace, to bring about an immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages. We strongly support the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure this.

“We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis

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Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Our position on recognition of the State of Palestine ⤵️ and in 🧵. We urge the British Government to take this step, which would be backed by a majority of MPs, and most of the Labour movement.

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