Steve, Much as I enjoy our discussions about Israel, I am here to discuss the Labour Party.

I do query this statement of yours.
The main reason we have this facade of "friendly relations" with Israel is the disproportionate influence of the pro-Israel lobby,?

Lobbyists can be ignored.
What clout do lobbyists for Israel have over lobbyists for the Palestinians?

Is it not just that Palestinian lobbyists spout propagnanda which carries no influence with well informed Western governments, while Israel's side of the story can be substantiated?

If Israel was guilty of atrocities no-one would give their lobbyists the time of day.
Israel has no oil or strategic reserves to buy friends. The friendship of democratic governments is genuine.