Labour Party motion on Gaza triggers grassroots revolt

Trade unions provide powerful backing for motion opposed by leadership

Emergency motions that toughened the position of Britain's governing Labour Party on Palestine by recognising assessments of genocide dominated its annual conference on Monday.

The trade union block vote backed Peace in the Middle East 2, which recognised the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry finding the crime of genocide was being committed. The motion to accept the UN findings was less popular in the hall but carried on the union vote.

It now requires the leadership to prevent the commission of genocide in Gaza. And to fully suspend the arms trade with Israel as well as the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement.

Another requirement is to ban trade with the illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and put “comprehensive sanctions” on the Israeli government to respect international law. Working with European and other allies, the UK should seek to end the famine in Gaza with full humanitarian access. Business should also be assessed for potential involvement in genocide.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers his keynote speech at the Labour Party's annual conference in Liverpool. Reuters

Health Secretary Wes Streeting waves a Union Flag before Mr Starmer's speech. PA

Mr Starmer and his wife Victoria arrive. EPA

A protester holding a Palestinian flag interrupts a speech by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Getty Images

Mr Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Getty Images

David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister. Getty Images

The Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson speaks to the media. Getty Images

Britain's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on stage at the conference. AFP

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood speaking. Bloomberg

From left, Hamish Falconer, the UK's Middle East and North Africa minister, Defence Secretary John Healey and Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Luke Pollard on stage on day two of the conference. Getty Images

Delegates queue to enter the conference hall ahead of the speech by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Reuters

Business Secretary Peter Kyle delivers a speech. AFP

Defence Secretary John Healey on stage at the Liverpool conference. Getty Images

The motion was accepted as an emergency measure after the party leadership headed off a full-scale debate on the issue. Leaders, including the Middle East and North Africa minister Hamish Falconer, and others argued against the motion, citing potential negative impact on efforts to achieve a ceasefire.

There was anger over the seven speakers chosen in the floor debate who were against the motion. “This was a blatant undemocratic move by the Labour leadership to silence demands from the trade unions and members,” the Palestine Solidarity Campaign said.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves found her flow on saving British industries interrupted as a member of the audience in Liverpool began shouting about the “mass starvation of Palestinians”.

Ms Reeves proclaimed the party’s approach to recognising a Palestinian state before resuming her speech. “We understand your cause and we are recognising a Palestinian state,” she said. “But we are now a party in government, not a party of protest.”

Palestine Youth Movement and London for a Free Palestine claimed responsibility for the heckle. According to the two groups, the activist who stood up with a large Palestinian flag shouted: “Why is Britain still arming Israel?”

In a statement issued by the protest groups following the disruption, the activist said: “It’s unbearable to watch this British-backed genocide unfolding on our screens while Labour carries on with business as usual. We should do whatever we can to push for an end to the atrocities.”

Delegates during day two of the Labour conference. Getty Images

Ms Reeves' cabinet colleague, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, used her speech to call for an end to starvation conditions in Gaza, calling the situation a “moral obscenity”.

“The Israeli government must end the moral obscenity of this campaign, that has seen food, water and medicine denied and an unconscionable loss of human life,” she said. “Because Palestinian civilians should not have to go another day in fear and hunger. The time for peace is now.”

She added the government’s recognition of the state of Palestine was an acknowledgement of an inalienable right. “Recognition is the embodiment of our passionate belief that the only path – the only path – to security and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike is two states living side by side,” she said.

Labour MPs are pushing for more action from Ms Cooper, acknowledging that measures so far have not altered the situation.

Labour MP Alex Ballinger, a member of the foreign affairs committee, called on the government to heap further pressure on the “main aggressor” in the war.

“In my view we need to continue to escalate the sanctions against Israel in the same way we would do against any country that is committing these sorts of war crimes,” he said in Liverpool.

“I think the next step on that escalation is probably sanctions not just against extremist Israeli settlers but against the settlements, which are illegal under international law and being expanded with the deliberate plan to make a two solution unviable.”

Keir Starmer applauds Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Getty

Police said they arrested 66 people on Sunday outside the conference for supporting Palestine Action, which the government has outlawed as a terrorist organisation.

Two were later released but the other 64 who were arrested on suspicion of a terrorism offence and were taken into custody, Merseyside Police said on Monday. All those arrested, who are aged between 21 and 83 years, have been released on bail.

“Some of the people in attendance displayed material in support of Palestine Action, who are a proscribed terrorism organisation,” Merseyside Police said in a statement.

About 100 people had gathered silently, holding signs reading: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action,” protest group Defend Our Juries said.