Leeds MP appointed new Labour Friends of Israel chair

“Now more than ever, the shared ambitions of LFI and our Labour government must be clear: to work towards two states for two peoples; promote peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians; strengthen regional security and prosperity; enhance the relationship between Britain, Israel and Palestine; support an International Fund for peacebuilding and reconciliation; and take on anti-Zionist antisemitism wherever we find it.”

Sewards also said he was “sickened” by the rise in antisemitism in the UK, including in his home city of Leeds and on university campuses, confirming that his first excursion in his new role was a visit to the University of Leeds’ JSoc “to hear first-hand about the experience of Jewish students”.

He added that he was “determined to help ensure that, just as Keir Starmer defeated antisemitism in the Labour party, our Labour government will lead the fight against hatred of Jews in the country”.

LFI’s director Michael Rubin, who said he has known Sewards “for almost 15 years”, described him as “a resolute ally to the Jewish community, from his time as a student activist to his election to the House of Commons”.

He went on: “I know he is totally committed to ensuring that the Labour government remains an ally of the Jewish community and committed – as the Blair and Brown governments were – to maintaining and renewing the longstanding friendship between the UK and Israel”.

Louis Danker, president of the Union of Jewish Students, said it was "really powerful to welcome Mark to the Leeds Hillel House for his first engagement as LFI Chair”.

Max Lanzkron, Leeds JSoc’s president, added: “As we shared experiences of antisemitism, he indicated sincere concerns and expressed genuine empathy for what Jewish students have been through. His response offered reassurance that he is committed to addressing and improving the culture in which antisemitism has too often been normalised."