Labour Party members are urging Keir Starmer to acknowledge Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide. In a blow to the government, an emergency motion led by Unison was passed, calling for a complete halt to arms sales to Israel. The motion urged ministers to recognize a UN report’s conclusion that Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration is engaged in genocide.
During a passionate address, Unison’s General Secretary Christina McAnea implored the party to accept this assessment. She emphasized the devastating impact on Palestinians since a specific date, with thousands of deaths and ongoing suffering in Gaza. McAnea stressed the urgency of labeling the situation as genocide, citing experts’ consensus on the matter.
“We cannot stand idly by as atrocities unfold, leading to death and starvation,” McAnea emphasized. She called for immediate intervention to prevent further loss of innocent lives and alleviate the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. McAnea highlighted the historical commitment of the Labour Party and trade unions to peace initiatives in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for decisive action now.
The non-binding emergency motion passed after a show of hands, urging the Government to take all necessary measures to prevent genocide in Gaza. It also called for a suspension of arms trade with Israel and the UK-Israel trade agreement, along with a ban on dealing with illegal settlements in the West Bank. Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy echoed the call for government action to avert genocide.
On a previous date, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry determined that Israel had perpetrated genocide in Gaza.
