Welcome to the Liberal Democrats Friends of Palestine (LDFP) news bulletin. This bulletin aims to keep you informed about the latest updates related to LDFP and wider party activity on Palestine.  The bulletin is sent to a mailing list of Lib Dems who have expressed interest in our work. We encourage those who are not already members of LDFP to consider joining. Details are available here.

Join us at Conference! As conference season approaches, we’re preparing for a busy line-up of events, from the Autumn Federal Conference in Bournemouth to regional gatherings across the UK. Conference is always a great chance to connect – we hope to see many of you there, and would welcome your support in running our stalls. Read on for more details.  Autumn Conference – Bournemouth 📅 Saturday 20 September, 7.45pm Crisis in the Middle Eas Fringe meeting at the Bournemouth International Centre, Avon Room. Organised by Cllr Zuffar Haq (Leicester) in partnership with LDFP, with guest speaker Arwa Damon (former CNN Middle East Correspondent). Arwa will share insights from her reporting across the region and reflect on the role of international media in shaping narratives on Palestine. 📅 Sunday 21 September, 7.45pm Rebuilding a Pathway to Peace LDFP panel event at the Bournemouth International Centre, Meyrick Suite, with: Dr. Husam Zomlot (Head of Palestinian Mission to the UK) Daniel Levy (President, U.S./Middle East Project & former Israeli government peace negotiator) Tayab Ali (Director, International Centre of Justice for Palestinians) Ben Jamal (Director, Palestine Solidarity Campaign). This high-profile panel will explore the prospects for securing peace and justice in Palestine, bringing together leading voices from diplomacy, law, and civil society. 📅 Monday 22 September, 5.00 – 8:00pm Annual Palestine Reception  We are pleased to invite all LDFP members to a joint evening reception hosted by LDFP and the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians at the Nici Hotel (W Hill Rd, Bournemouth BH2 5EJ), just five minutes from the conference centre. Refreshments and finger food will be available, and the reception will provide an opportunity to meet with likeminded individuals who are interested in defending and upholding Palestinian people’s human rights. Further details will be circulated closer to the time. Exhibition Stall: All weekend Throughout the Autumn Conference, LDFP will have our usual stall in the exhibition centre, sharing resources and raising awareness about the situation in Palestine and our work. The stall is a central part of our presence, and we rely on volunteers  to help run it. Volunteering is a great way to meet other members, share ideas, and ensure Palestine remains visible in the conference space. 👉 If you’d like to volunteer some of your time to help run our stall, please let us know by contacting info@ldfp.org.uk. Regional Conferences The regional conference programme for this year has just been announced, and LDFP hopes to have a presence at as many events as possible. The dates are: Wales (10–12 Oct), London (11 Oct), Scotland (18 Oct), North West (25 Oct), East of England (2 Nov), South Central (9 Nov), South East, Western Counties, Yorkshire & the Humber, West Midlands (all 16 Nov), and Devon & Cornwall (30 Nov). 👉 We’re looking for volunteers to help run our stalls at each of these events. If you can help, please contact info@ldfp.org.uk.

Next National March for Palestine: 6 September, Central London The next national demonstration for Palestine will take place on Saturday 6th September at 12 noon in Central London (Russell Square to Whitehall). March with us under the LDFP banner and stand alongside thousands showing solidarity and support for Palestinian rights. For details on where to meet on the day, email info@ldfp.org.uk.

Renewing your LDFP membership Many of our members’ subscriptions will be expiring next month. If you haven’t renewed your membership in a while, now is the perfect time to do so. Membership runs for one year, so if you pay before your current membership expires, your new year will start from the date your current one ends. For the first time in five years, we are introducing a modest increase in subscription rates. Membership is now a minimum of £36/year, with a reduced rate of £12/year offered to students, or any others who find the full subscription too burdensome. This price change reflects the expansion of our activities over recent months, including taking on our first full-time staff member in March. Your support allows LDFP to continue lobbying effectively for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. You can make a payment or standing order directly to our HSBC bank account: Account name: Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine: Account number: 22421437 Sort code: 40-27-06 Alternatively, membership payments can also be made via PayPal by clicking here. We encourage monthly payments as this helps us to manage our administrative costs. You can set up monthly payments via standing order or by choosing the pay monthly option on PayPal.

LDFP August Recap  Panel event: Israel-Palestine: Understanding the Conflict and Taking Action  On 17th August 2025, LDFP hosted a panel at the Young Liberals Summer Conference exploring the Israel-Palestine conflict from the UK perspective. The discussion highlighted the realities of life in Gaza and the West Bank, the urgent need for UK action, and the role young people can play in driving change.Speakers included Marwan Yaghi (Palestinian Mission to the UK), Raphael Kober Hoffman (Yachad), and Will Forster (Liberal Democrat MP for Woking), with Lucia Messent (LDFP Policy Officer) as Chair. The event was broadcasted by the Young Liberals and can be watched from 4 hours 21 minutes via the button below. Watch the recording Policy motion: A Liberal Future for both states  During the conference, the Young Liberals overwhelmingly passed a landmark motion calling on the UK government to take urgent and concrete steps to confront Israel’s genocide in Gaza, end the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, and support a just, secure, and liberal future for both states. The motion was drafted by the Young Liberals International Committee, in consultation with LDFP, and was proposed by LDFP Policy Officer Lucia Messent and summated by Rowan Fitton of the International Committee. Read the motion Latest Articles Palestine and Israel – language matters – Jonathan Brown, 5 August on Lib Dem Voice In this article, LDFP Vice-Chair Jonathan Brown reflects on a new Centre for Media Monitoring report showing that BBC coverage on Gaza overwhelmingly echoes Israeli narratives, downplays Palestinian suffering, and sidelines Palestinian voices. Jonathan argues this bias reflects a wider political and media culture that obscures Israel’s violations of international law and silences Palestinian perspectives. What I’ve noticed, while marching for Palestine – David McDowall, 28 August  LDFP member David McDowall (who at one time worked for UNRWA in Palestine) reflects on the monthly pro-Palestine marches in London and the growing public awareness of Britain’s historic and ongoing complicity in Israel’s illegal occupation. He traces the UK’s failure to uphold its obligations under international law – from ignoring Israel’s war crimes to refusing to recognise Palestinian statehood – arguing that successive governments have abandoned both legal duty and moral responsibility. The article contains historical information that may be new to some readers. Download a copy of the article here (shared with David’s permission).

Lib Dem Activity on Palestine This month has seen famine formally declared in Gaza, a renewed assault on Gaza City, the continued targeting of medics and journalists by Israel, and the revival of settlement plans designed to split the West Bank in two – all while the UK Government deepens its complicity by silencing dissent and overseeing mass arrests of peaceful protestors. Despite the parliamentary recess, Liberal Democrat parliamentarians have remained active in pushing these issues onto the national agenda, pressing ministers on their failures, exposing the hollowness of government rhetoric, and using the media to demand accountability.  Here are the highlights: Ed Davey to Boycott State Dinner in Protest over Gaza On 28th August, Ed Davey announced that he will boycott the King’s Banquet to be held during Donald Trump’s upcoming State Visit because of Trump’s complicity in the famine unfolding in Gaza.  Explaining the decision in a Guardian article, he said:  “I fear we could have a situation where Trump comes to our country, is honoured with a lavish dinner at one of our finest palaces, and nobody reminds him that he has the power to stop the horrifying starvation, death and captivities in Gaza. And no one uses this moment to demand that the US president pick up that phone to Netanyahu and the Qataris and do the right thing. “I feel a responsibility to do whatever I can to ensure the people in Gaza are not forgotten during the pomp and ceremony, and to ensure the UK makes Trump’s personal responsibility for securing peace in Israel and Palestine an issue.” BBC Newscast: Ed speaks with clarity and force on Gaza Ed Davey made a forceful and principled intervention on Gaza in his appearance on BBC Newscast this week, clearly setting out his reasoning for boycotting the King’s Banquet during Donald Trump’s State Visit.  He described the boycott as a way to send a clear message: the UK cannot allow Trump to visit without confronting him over his complicity in the “man-made famine” in Gaza. With limited opportunities as Liberal Democrat leader to influence government decision-making, Ed said that boycotting the banquet was the best way he could ensure that Palestine remains high on the agenda during Trump’s visit. He added that, in the face of devastating daily reports from Gaza – despite Israel systematic restriction of media access –“reasonable people cannot just sit and watch” without taking action.  The discussion then turned to what the UK government should be doing: halting F-35 exports, imposing sanctions on more Israeli ministers, including Netanyahu, and supporting unconditional recognition of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting. Ed stressed the urgency of the crisis and the need for Britain to “ramp up the pressure at every moment.” Listen to the full podcast here.  Lib Dem Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Calum Miller writes to David Lammy in response to the IPC’s declaration of famine in Gaza On 28th August, Lib Dem Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Calum Miller wrote to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in response to the IPC’s declaration of famine in Gaza, Israel’s new assault on Gaza City, the revival of Israel’s E1 settlement plan in the West Bank, and the 700-day anniversary of the capture of Israeli hostages by Hamas.  The letter said: “It is clear that the Netanyahu cabinet continues egregiously to violate international and humanitarian law, across both Gaza and the West Bank. Yet the UK has been reluctant to apply any genuine pressure on the Israeli Government to stop these violations across the Occupied Territories – or to publicly call on President Trump to do the same.” Calum called for wider sanctions, a comprehensive arms ban, and a ban on trade with illegal settlements. Read the full letter here.  Palestine Action arrests: Lib Dems call on terrorism Tsar to review legislation On 15 August, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Lisa Smart wrote to Jonathan Hall KC, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, calling on him to review legislation that led to the arrest of more than 500 protesters for expressing support for the proscribed group Palestine Action.In the letter, Lisa said that the use of terrorism legislation to arrest those who were peacefully protesting “sets a troubling precedent and risks having a chilling effect on both free speech and legitimate democratic dissent.” She called on Hall to “review these sections of the Terrorism Act 2000 and assess whether the application of Section 13 in this context is appropriate”. If it was found not to be then Hall should “consider whether the legislation requires amendment to prevent misuse in future.”Read the full letter here. Alistair Carmichael: Palestine Action ban reveals Labour’s dangerously authoritarian instincts In an article for The Scotsman, Alistair Carmichael criticised the Labour Government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action, calling it “illiberal and oppressive.” He argued that while vandalism of military sites is unacceptable, it does not make Palestine Action a terrorist group, and that proscription represents Labour’s authoritarian instincts overriding fundamental freedoms of speech, protest and assembly. “Anti-terrorism laws should be used to deal with terrorists, not our own citizens who wish to demonstrate their disagreements with their government,” Alistair said.  The article is unfortunately behind a paywall, but a summary can be found here.

Latest News Gaza Genocide:  Famine confirmed for first time in Gaza – World Health Organisation, 22 August  Pope demands ‘collective punishment’ end in Gaza as 10 more die of hunger– The Guardian, 27 August sraeli hostage families and demonstrators hold day of protests – BBC News, 26 August Qatar says Israel hasn’t responded to Gaza ceasefire proposal – Al Jazeera, 26 August Five journalists among 20 killed in Israeli double strike on hospital – BBC News, 25 August ‘No place is safe’: families flee Gaza City as Israel vows to press on with offensive – The Guardian, 24 August Revealed: Israeli military’s own data indicates civilian death rate of 83% in Gaza war – The Guardian, 21 August Remaining hospitals in Gaza overwhelmed with malnutrition cases – Sky News, 18 August Anas al-Sharif among four Al Jazeera journalists killed by Israel in Gaza – Al Jazeera, 12 August Occupied West Bank: Dozens injured as Israeli forces raid Nablus in occupied West Bank – Al Jazeera, 27 August Israel carries out largest occupied West Bank raid in months – Al Jazeera, 26 August Israel approves controversial West Bank settlement project – BBC News, 20 August Israeli military uproots thousands of Palestinian olive trees in West Bank – Al Jazeera, 24 August Video of far-right Israeli minister taunting imprisoned Palestinian leader sparks outrage – CNN World, 15 August Israeli settlement plans will ‘bury’ idea of Palestinian state, minister says – BBC News,14 August Assaults by Israeli soldiers become a daily reality in West Bank’s Sebastia – Al Jazeera, 12 August Palestinian women on hunger strike to demand body of slain activist – Al Jazeera, 4 August Far-right Israeli minister prays at Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site, breaching decades-old agreement – CNN World, 3 August UK response:  Ed Davey to boycott Trump state banquet over Gaza – BBC News, 27 August Famine in Gaza City is entirely man-made and a moral outrage. Israel must immediately lift its restrictions on aid: UK statement at the UN Security Council– Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, 27 August Another feeble reaction from Britain to the latest horror in Gaza – The Guardian, 27 August Gazan students granted approval to study in UK – BBC News, 26 August UK condemns Israel’s controversial E1 settlement plan in occupied West Bank– AA, 21 August Yvette Cooper mounts fresh defence of UK ban on Palestine Action – Financial Times, 17 August Palestine Action protest arrests rise to more than 500 – BBC News, 10 August 100 Gaza children hope to be evacuated to UK for urgent medical care  The Guardian, 5 August International response:  UN staff urge rights chief Volker Turk to call Gaza war a ‘genocide’ – Al Jazeera, 28 August South Africa calls on Israel to accept ceasefire negotiated by all relevant stakeholders – AA, 27 August Trump admin imposes sanctions on more International Criminal Court officials – CNN, 20 August Far-right Israeli politician who calls Palestinian children ‘enemies’ banned from entering Australia – The New Arba, 18 August  US does not oppose Israeli development of West Bank settlements, Huckabee says – Middle East Monitor, 18 August US state department stops issuing visas for Gaza’s children to get medical care after far-right campaign – The Guardian, 17 August France urges Israel to abandon controversial West Bank E1 settlement plan – France 24, 16 August Australia joins France, Britain and Canada to recognise a Palestinian state – Independent, 11 August Video of the Month  Total blockade and death traps: How Israel is starving the Gaza Strip – B’Tselem (the leading Israeli human rights organisation), 21 August Infographic of the Month  Source: Visualising Palestine, August 2025.