It’s time to put Conservatives’ links with Israel under the spotlight

Conservative Friends of Israel, the long-standing parliamentary lobby group, is beginning to resemble the Westminster outpost for Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud coalition, says Peter Oborne

‘I asked CFI whether it had criticised Benjamin Netanyahu or his government during the current Gaza conflict. No reply…’ (EPA)

Conservative Friends of Israel boasts that its membership includes 80 per cent of Tory MPs. It can whistle up cabinet ministers for its lunches and dinners, and has superb access to Downing Street, Westminster and Whitehall. There are queues round the block to its famous party at the annual Tory conference.

The Conservative historian and politician Robert Rhodes James defined the CFI as “the largest organisation in Western Europe dedicated to the cause of the people of Israel”.

That was 40 years ago. Its influence has grown substantially since.