Conservative Friends of Israel

Supporting Israel and Promoting Conservatism

About CFI

What we do

“I am proud not just to be a Conservative, but a Conservative Friend of Israel; and I am proud of the key role CFI plays within our Party”. Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister

CFI works to promote its twin aims of supporting Israel and promoting Conservatism. With close to 2,000 activists as members – alongside 80% of Tory MPs – CFI is active at every level of the Party.

CFI organises numerous events in and around Westminster, takes Conservative parliamentarians and candidates on delegations to Israel, campaigns hard for Tory candidates in target seats, and works to ensure that Israel’s case is fairly represented in Parliament.  


Meet the Professional Team

Stuart Polak, Director 

Stuart directs and oversees all aspects of CFI’s on-going work, activities and campaigns, as well as formulation, strategy and political activity.

Nathalie Tamam, Deputy Director
Nathalie directs CFI’s on-going campaigns, political activities and trips to Israel as well as being responsible for building relationships with Conservative MPs and Parliamentary Candidates. 



James Gurd, Parliamentary Manager
James is responsible for the collation of all CFI’s research, briefings, publications and online activities. James manages aspects of CFI’s on-going campaigns, political activities and trips to Israel.

Leetal Stark, Projects Manager
Leetal manages CFI’s wide-ranging yearly events programme, including CFI’s Conservative Party Conference activity and CFI’s major fundraising events. Leetal is also responsible for CFI office management and administration.

Sedef Akademir, Research and Events Officer
Sedef assists with the collation and distribution of CFI briefings and research, alongside assisting with aspects of event management. Sedef is also the editor of CFI’s Informed Weekly Briefing.

Tanyah Murkes, Israel Liaison
Tanyah is based in Tel Aviv and assists with the organisation of CFI’s delegations to Israel. Tanyah is also responsible for the collation of research and briefing material in Israel that will assist CFI’s activities in the UK.


Parliamentary Group

Chairman - James Clappison MP
Officers - David Amess MP, David Burrowes MP, Robert Halfon MP, Priti Patel MP, Lee Scott MP
Chairman of CFI Europe - Timothy Kirkhope MEP

Honorary Officers

President - Rt Hon Baroness Shephard of Northwold 

Vice Chairmen - Stanley Cohen OBE, Sir Michael Heller
Vice Presidents - Rt Hon Sir Timothy Sainsbury, Sir Michael Latham DL, Lord Sanderson of Bowden
 

Directors of CFI Ltd

Chairman - Andrew Heller 

Deputy Chairman - Hilda Worth
Treasurer - Stephen Massey
Directors - David Meller, Stuart Polak
Executive Board - Lance Anisfeld, Andrew Brecher, Loraine da Costa, Jonathan Gough, Edward Lee, Howard Leigh, Jonathan Metliss, Gary Mond