‘Success’ as Labour plans to drop hostility to Israel

The source added: “The draft text seems to mark the return of what can be described as the classic Labour Zionist position. There is a commitment to a ‘secure’ Israel, which is crucial.”

Despite attempts by supporters of the hard-left Momentum group to establish explicit anti-Israel policies in Labour branches across the country, party leaders have largely devoted their attention to domestic issues.

Emily Thornberry, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, delivered a carefully worded speech during a Commons debate on Israel and the Palestinians last month, which seemed to suggest a new desire for the party to take a more balanced position.

Ahead of the general election, Labour faced criticism from pro-Israel groups over its “biased” leaked draft manifesto stance on Israel and the Palestinians.

The initial version, focusing on Israeli actions and making no mention of Palestinian terrorism, led to a row in the Shadow Cabinet and the final manifesto made clear the party would call for “an end to rocket and terror attacks”.

But it also pledged a Labour government would “immediately recognise the state of Palestine”.