https://www.declassifieduk.org/labour-friends-of-israel-reported-to-election-watchdog/

[Declassified UK] Exclusive: Complaint centres around concerns that the pro-Israel ‘lobby group’ should have declared its donors

Labour Friends of Genocide Israel has been referred to the Electoral Commission over concerns about its opaque funding.

Activist Andrew Feinstein, who filed the complaint, said he was concerned that the pro-Israel group “may have breached electoral law”.

Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) has previously described itself as “a Westminster based lobby group working within the British Labour Party to promote the State of Israel,” and has funded dozens of British politicians to travel to Israel.

But it has repeatedly refused to disclose where its money comes from, other than to deny that it is funded by the Israeli government. 

Feinstein’s complaint explains that there is “ambiguity over whether LFI is (or ever was) a members association”.

He added: “This question is vital because ‘members associations’ may have to register with the Electoral Commission as a regulated donee. This would also create an obligation for LFI to disclose details about certain donations that it receives.”

LFI has denied being a members association, yet many senior politicians have claimed they are “members”. 

Seven ministers – including Rachel Reeves and David Lammy – have each stated they are a “member” of the group in the List of Ministerial Interests. And the trade secretary, Peter Kyle, also claimed to be an LFI “member” at an event earlier this month.

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Article continues at https://www.declassifieduk.org/labour-friends-of-israel-reported-to-election-watchdog/