JLC's Political Engagement Continues at Full Speed

The JLC's political engagement has continued at full speed over the past month, as we magnify and amplify the voice of the Jewish community to policymakers. With the return of Parliament from recess at the start of September, we continued our work meeting with parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, including many MPs elected for the first time in July. We also met with the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, and key officials in 10 Downing Street to raise issues of concern for the Jewish community, ensuring that these issues remain at the top of the government's agenda.

Much of the JLC's political engagement recently has related to the continued Israel-Hamas War and the plight of the over one hundred hostages still in captivity. In response to the government's decision to suspend certain arms exports licenses to Israel, we released this statement, outlining our concern and disappointment at the decision, which was announced during the funerals of hostages murdered by Hamas.

Over the past fortnight, we have been attending party conferences. Last week, we went to the Liberal Democrats' conference in Brighton, where we listened to a meaningful fringe by Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel with hostage families and Tim Farron MP. We also attended a number of other fringes, including one organised by the Antisemitism Policy Trust, and we met with stakeholders and Liberal Democrat parliamentarians at the conference. This week, we went to Labour party conference in Liverpool, where we met with a large number of MPs and party decision-makers. We also attended fringes organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust, the Antisemitism Policy Trust, and Labour Friends of Israel, where we were moved to hear the testimonies of hostage families. Next week, we will be travelling to Birmingham for the Conservative party conference, completing this year's trifecta.