UK Lawyers for Israel
| Formation | September 2016 |
|---|---|
Chief Executive | Jonathan Turner |
Chairs |
|
| Website | www |
UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) refers to two entities in the UK, the UKLFI Charitable Trust, set up in 2016, and UKLFI Ltd, a private company.
According to the UKLFI Charitable Trust's website, UKLFI set it up in September 2016 "to facilitate fund raising from UK donors for parts of its activities that are charitable under UK law".[1] UKLFI Ltd, a private company, was incorporated in 2010.[2] This sort of dual structure typically allows organisations to comply with UK charity law and receive tax-deductible donations, all while undertaking political activities not usually permitted to charities.[3]
Natasha Hausdorff, who joined UKLFI in 2014, has been described as the organisation's public figure, appearing on news shows and giving evidence to the foreign affairs select committee.[3]
Controversies
[edit]On May 10th, 2025, over the Gaza War, Palestinian rights groups condemned remarks made by made by Jonathan Turner, the chief executive of UKLFI, criticizing a Lancet analysis on impact of the conflict where he stated that the war might reduce obesity in Gaza, in which he said:[4]
The [Lancet] letter also ignored factors that may increase average life expectancy in Gaza, bearing in mind that one of the biggest health issues in Gaza prior to the current war was obesity.
In response to the controversy, Turner said:
We first pointed out that the letter published in the Lancet on 20 July 2024, to which the motion evidently referred, did not claim that 186,000 Gazans had died in the current war. It did, however, claim – without foundation – that 186,000 Gaza would be likely to die eventually as a result of the war.
So we pointed out, secondly, that this claim was based on entirely unfounded speculation, which also ignored factors that might result in lengthening the lives of Gazans, given the public health situation existing in Gaza prior to the war, including the extent of obesity. These factors include the possible reduction in the availability of confectionery and cigarettes.
In the context in which they were made, our statements were accurate and objective.
References
[edit]- ^ "Charity Commission launches investigation into UK Lawyers for Israel's charitable trust". Middle East Eye. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ "UKLFI Limited". Companies House. UK Government. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ a b Harriet Williamson (28 July 2025). "Meet the Pro‑Israel Lawyers Hounding the NHS". Novara Media. Novara Media. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ Haroon Siddique (10 May 2025). "UK Lawyers for Israel condemned over claim war may reduce obesity in Gaza". The Guardian.