Labour Party members have urged Keir Starmer to acknowledge that Israel is engaged in genocide in Gaza. In a blow to the government, an emergency motion led by Unison, calling for a complete halt to arms sales to Israel, received support. The motion urged ministers to recognize the conclusions of a UN report that accused Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration of perpetrating genocide.
During a passionate appeal on Monday, Christina McAnea, the union’s General Secretary, implored the party to acknowledge the findings. She emphasized the devastating events of October 7, 2023, highlighting the significant loss of Palestinian lives and the dire conditions in Gaza. McAnea stressed the urgency of using the term “genocide” without hesitation, citing the widespread agreement among experts on the matter.
McAnea emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent further atrocities and alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza. The emergency motion, while not legally binding, called on the Government to take all reasonable measures to halt the genocide in Gaza, including a suspension of arms trade with Israel and the UK-Israel partnership agreement. Additionally, it demanded an end to trading with illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Echoing the sentiment, Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy emphasized the necessity for the government to intervene to prevent genocide. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry previously determined on September 16 that Israel had committed genocide in the Gaza strip.
The Labour Party and its trade unions have a longstanding history of advocating for peace in the Middle East, underscoring the importance of immediate action in the current situation.