Labour Friends of Israel is a Westminster based lobby group working within the British Labour Party to promote the State of Israel. Founded in 1956, LFI is today one of the largest interest groups within the Labour Party, with wide support from MP's MEP's and Peers.

Within the British Community, LFI works to promote relations between the Labour Party Leadership and the leadership of the Jewish community. Within the British Labour Movement, LFI has a large membership, organised into local branches. Both Jews and non-Jews are able to forge a strong understanding within the organisation's large national membership.

LFI also seeks to strengthen the bond between the Israel Labour Party and the British Labour Party. To this effect LFI runs regular MP delegations to Israel. Senior Israeli Labour Party leaders are also invited to the UK to meet with their British peers. LFI also co-ordinates the Yigal Allon Education Trust and Trade Union Friends of Israel

David Mencer was appointed Director of the Labour Friends of Israel in July 1998.

A Biography of David Mencer

Having attended Hasmonean High School in London, David Mencer went on to spend a year of study in Jerusalem, focusing on Middle Eastern historical, religious and political culture. He was in Israel during the Gulf War of 1991, and was able to volunteer for a short time in the Israel Defence Forces.

On returning to the UK, David attended the London Guildhall University, where he studied Politics and Government. He completed his final year dissertation on the vexed question of the sovereignty of Jerusalem within the context of the Middle East Peace Process.

David initially went into the House of Commons in 1995 as a research assistant to Joan Walley MP, when she was the Shadow Transport Minister. He subsequently worked for a number of shadow ministers, working finally for Gwyneth Dunwoody, Chairman of the Transport Select Committee and President of LFI.

As Mrs Dunwoody's political aide and, following that, her electoral agent, David orchestrated her 1997 General Election campaign in Crewe and Nantwich, where her majority was raised from 2,000 to 16,000.

A short time after the 1997 General Election, David replaced his freelance political consultancy work for a full-time position as a Public Affairs Executive at The Waterfront Partnership. There, he was able to provide public affairs advice to a number of leading companies in the transport and food sector.

David Mencer became the Director of LFI in July 1998.