UK's Starmer appoints pro-Israel lobbyist as parliamentary private secretary

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed the chair of Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) as his parliamentary private secretary.

Jon Pearce, who was elected as an MP last year, visited Israel and the UAE earlier this year and publicly opposed Britain recognising a Palestinian state unilaterally.

The role of parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to the prime minister is conventionally held by backbenchers and is a coveted position, despite being unpaid, for the access it provides to the leader.

Pearce has stepped down from his LFI role to assume his new duty.

Pearce went on a five-day trip to Israel in May to "show solidarity" alongside four other Labour MPs.

Read more: Starmer appoints pro-Israel lobbyist as his parliamentary private secretary