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One in four MPs have received money from pro-Israel lobbyists, Declassified UK reveals
Israelis wave national flags during a march marking Jerusalem Day, an Israeli holiday celebrating the capture of east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war, in front of the Damascus Gate of Jerusalem's Old City, June 5, 2024

A QUARTER of MPs have received money from pro-Israel lobbyists, a new investigation by Declassified UK has revealed.

The analysis found that 180 out of 650 sitting MPs have collectively accepted more than £1.2 million in funding from pro-Israel lobby groups or individuals during their political careers.

Most of them were Tory MPs, with 130 taking handouts. 

Additionally, 41 Labour MPs, three Liberal Democrats, two independents, three DUP members and Reform’s sole MP also accepted the funding.

MPs have taken over 240 sponsored trips to Israel, with 15 even accepting trips amid Israel’s genocidal attack on Gaza. 

Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) is one of the main lobby groups, with about 80 per cent of Tory MPs counting themselves as members.

Declassified found that it funded 160 trips for 118 current MPs, donating over £330,000 towards the visits.

Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) has 75 MPs as members, and has donated over £64,000 towards trips.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the Australia-Israel Cultural Exchange, Elnet UK, the Jewish National Fund and the National Jewish Assembly have also funded trips.

Many delegations are jointly funded by the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

Trevor Chinn, a long-time pro-Israel lobbyist, has donated almost £200,000 to eight Labour front-benchers including deputy leader Angela Rayner, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, and shadow health secretary Wes Streeting.

And South African Israel lobbyist Gary Lubner donated £349,000 to MPs and £4.5m to Labour last year alone.

Individuals linked to CFI including Trevor Pears, Michael Lewis, David Meller and Lord Kalms have also donated to senior Tory figures.

The full list can be viewed here.

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