CFoI

Conservative Friends of Israel works to support Israel and promote Conservatism. We aim to ensure Israel's case is fairly represented in Parliament.

[CFoI @CFoI]

This is excellent news for all those who believe in a UK which stands up for its allies, and stands against its foes.

Tom has consistently shown moral courage and leadership on foreign affairs, particularly when it comes to the Middle East and Israel.

Combined with his extensive knowledge and experience on the world stage, this makes him an excellent choice for Shadow Foreign Secretary.

We are delighted to see him appointed to this very important role at a critical time for Britain's foreign policy.

[Conservatives @Conservatives]

CONFIRMED: @TomTugendhat is our new Shadow Foreign Secretary. 🇬🇧

From serving his country in uniform to his time as Security Minister, Tom brings unrivalled experience and credibility to representing Britain on the world stage.

[Kevin Hollinrake MP @kevinhollinrake]

Thank you, Minister. It was a privilege for the Conservative delegation to meet with you in Jerusalem and hear directly about the challenges Israel continues to face from Iran and its proxies.

The special relationship between Britain and Israel remains deeply important to both countries.

Conservatives stand firmly with Israel and look forward to restoring and strengthening the partnership that has been damaged in recent years.

Grateful for the warm welcome and the frank discussion. 🇮🇱🇬🇧 @CFoI

[CFoI @CFoI]

Excellent to see the joint motion 'Zionism is not racism' be approved by @CityWestminster last night.

"Zionism is not racist. Jewish identity is not something to be erased and Jewish people should never have to hide who they are to feel safe in London."

Well done to Conservative Councillor @HRGalley for introducing the motion and for calling out the warped targeting of Israel’s right to self-determination as racist or illegitimate.

[The Jewish Chronicle @JewishChron]

Zionism is not racism – the fact that we need to bring a motion to say so should alarm us all

https://t.co/d2zyw2oZtu

[CFoI @CFoI]

An excellent article from Conservative Councillor @HRGalley in @JewishChron.

Well done for bringing forward tonight’s ‘Zionism is not racism’ motion and standing up to the Green Party’s far-left, anti-Israel position. It is great to have strong Conservative voices defending Zionism.

https://t.co/tZ9yH14L5c

[Hannah Galley Payne @HRGalley]

I've written for the @JewishChron on the motion tonight at Westminster City Council that Zionism is not racism.

I've seen first hand the fear caused by rising antisemitism. We cannot remain silent while the Green Party legitimises that fear.

https://t.co/nnQHqyGSFz

[CFoI @CFoI]

It is great to see @RussellFindlay1, the Scottish Conservatives Leader, standing up against the SNP's double standards towards Israel.

He has rightly challenged the Scottish Government's singling out of the world's only Jewish state and called out this as "evidence of a disturbing antisemitism gripping the SNP."

[Russell Findlay @RussellFindlay1]

SNP minister Stephen Gethins made a false claim about their "consistent approach" to International Criminal Court cases.

The truth? They ONLY attack Israel. He needs to correct the record👇

[CFoI @CFoI]

Great to hear from Cllr Robert Alden, Leader of @BCCTories, who stood against the "Better Birmingham" Group’s anti-Israel motion.

Birmingham City Council has been taken over by sectarian politics and is spending time on issues outside its control instead of what really matters to residents. Passing this motion singles out Israel and risks creating a more hostile environment for Birmingham’s Jewish community.

[The Jewish Chronicle @JewishChron]

‘Disgusting sectarianism’: Birmingham council slammed for anti-Israel divestment vote

https://t.co/UUagjHglsr

[CFoI @CFoI]

Today, the House of Lords has sent a clear message to the Government, as peers back a regret motion opposing new trade restrictions on Israel.

CFI Honorary President Lord Polak CBE warns that these measures will do nothing to bring peace closer. Instead, they risk further undermining Britain's influence in the Middle East.

[CFoI @CFoI]

One month ago today Conservative Party Conference was just beginning. It was one of CFI’s biggest ever – a busy stand and two packed events including our annual reception and fringe panel with @JewishChron.

See the highlights here:

[CFoI @CFoI]

The BBC has very serious questions to answer.

Why has such a prestigious institution become so infected by hostility towards Jews and Israel?

And what does this mean for the organisation's Charter Renewal? At present anyone who consumes live television, even it it's not the BBC, has to pay the licence fee.

What about for those who object strongly to the direction that the BBC is taking?

Urgent action is needed at the broadcaster.

[Jack Rankin MP 🇬🇧 @jackmrankin]

Antisemitism has become an increasingly prominent scourge on British society in recent years. This disease has infested our cultural institutions and academic bodies, with hateful zealots doing their utmost to make life as difficult as possible for innocent British Jews.

Now an Oscar-winning BBC executive producer, Lucie Kon, says she was handed a £400,000 payout after raising antisemitism concerns, including colleagues allegedly calling Zionists like her “evil” after the 7 October massacre.

The BBC upheld none of her complaints. Yet it paid out anyway and admitted “shortcomings” it refuses to explain. This is an organisation that would rather write a cheque than confront serious allegations of antisemitism in its own ranks. If nothing went wrong, why the £400,000? If something did, who has been held to account?

We are constantly told our institutions are a core part of what makes Britain great. That claim rings hollow if they allow antisemitism to fester unchallenged. If any other group raised allegations like these, they would be investigated hard and fast. That Jewish staff cannot expect the same tells us something is deeply wrong in Britain today.

The BBC and every other British institution must hold their own people accountable and root out third-worldist ideology.

[CFoI @CFoI]

Great news from Barnet Council on the Conservative Group motion to twin with Haifa.

This is a fantastic step in supporting the UK-Israel relationship, especially after the Green Party's disgraceful decision to sever the partnership between Hackney and Haifa.

[Israel in the UK 🇮🇱🤝🇬🇧 @IsraelinUK]

By 12:00 PM, 2.3 million Israelis had already exercised their democratic right to vote - a 31.5% turnout, the highest in 53 years! 🇮🇱

Across more than 12,000 polling stations, Israeli society is showcasing the beauty of true democracy🗳️

[CFoI @CFoI]

Today Israel goes to the polls in a pivotal election.

With turnout typically around 70%, Israel’s elections reflect a deeply engaged electorate. Arab citizens account for 18% of eligible voters, with Arab parties projected to win up to 15 of the Knesset’s 120 seats.

This election carries extra weight as the first since the October 7 atrocities, with Netanyahu’s wartime leadership under scrutiny. Neither his coalition nor the opposition bloc is projected to secure a majority.

Exit polls are expected tonight, but forming a government could take weeks.

[Israel in the UK 🇮🇱🤝🇬🇧 @IsraelinUK]

Israel’s election by numbers

🇮🇱🗳️ Israel’s 26th Knesset elections by numbers:

From hundreds of millions of ballot slips to free public transport on Election Day, preparations are underway for Israel’s biggest ever elections!

[Alex Gandler @AlexGandler]

Today, Israel goes to the polls.

As with every election, it is a day of ideas and ideologies, of debate and last-minute efforts to persuade voters.

Above all, it is a day for Israel’s citizens to exercise their democratic freedom and choose their country’s leadership.

Jews and Arabs, Muslims, Christians, Druze, Circassians and Bahá’ís will go to the polls and vote as they wish.

This is the beauty of Israeli democracy.

[Israel ישראל @Israel]

How do elections work in Israel? Who gets to vote? And how is Israel's prime minister chosen? 🇮🇱🗳️

Here's a simple guide to Israeli democracy, from casting a ballot to forming a government.

[Israel in the UK 🇮🇱🤝🇬🇧 @IsraelinUK]

Still confused about how Israel’s electoral system works?

Here’s a simple guide to help you understand how voting works ahead of the elections on the 27th!