UK
Palestine – Richard Burgon MP re-submits parliamentary motion calling for a ceasefire
Labour Outlook
Amplifying socialist voices, supporting frontline struggles, building international solidarity.
4th November 2023
“Preventing the deaths of any more civilians must be our top priority.”Richard Burgon MP
By our correspondent
Richard Burgon MP has confirmed that he will re-submit his parliamentary motion calling for a ceasefire when the House of Commons returns on Tuesday for the King’s Speech.
Days before Parliament returns, over 90 MPs from 8 parties have already agreed to back the resubmitted Early Day Motion “Protecting civilians in Gaza and Israel”. More are expected to do so in the coming days and once parliament returns.
The motion will use exactly the same wording (below) as the parliamentary motion tabled by Burgon, also backed by over 90 MPs, which fell when the parliamentary session ended on 26 October.
Richard Burgon MP said, “Over 10,000 people in Gaza and Israel have already lost their lives in the last month alone.
“Preventing the deaths of any more civilians must be our top priority.
“Our Government must now use every diplomatic avenue possible and talk to governments of all persuasions to secure a negotiated ceasefire – one binding on all parties – that can bring an end to this crisis.”
The title and text of the EDM read as follows. Protecting civilians in Gaza and Israel: “This House utterly condemns the massacre of Israeli civilians and taking of hostages by Hamas; agrees with the United Nations Secretary-General that these horrific acts do not justify responding with the collective punishment of the Palestinian people; expresses its deep alarm at the Israeli military bombardment and total siege of Gaza and the resulting deaths and suffering; believes that the urgent priority must be to stop the deaths and suffering of any more civilians in Gaza and Israel; welcomes the joint statement from 12 leading aid agencies, including Oxfam, Christian Aid, CAFOD, Medical Aid for Palestinians and Islamic Relief, calling for the Government to use its influence to help protect civilians, to ensure adherence to international humanitarian law and to guarantee civilians have access to critical life-saving humanitarian support; and to this end supports their call for the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to urgently press all parties to agree to an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities, to ensure the immediate, unconditional release of the Israeli hostages, to end to the total siege of Gaza and allow for unfettered access of medical supplies, food, fuel electricity and water, to guarantee that international humanitarian law is upheld and that civilians are protected in accordance with those laws.”
If you support Labour Outlook’s work amplifying the voices of left movements and struggles in the UK and internationally, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon.
Labour Outlook
Amplifying socialist voices, supporting frontline struggles, building international solidarity.
4th November 2023
“Preventing the deaths of any more civilians must be our top priority.”Richard Burgon MP
By our correspondent
Richard Burgon MP has confirmed that he will re-submit his parliamentary motion calling for a ceasefire when the House of Commons returns on Tuesday for the King’s Speech.
Days before Parliament returns, over 90 MPs from 8 parties have already agreed to back the resubmitted Early Day Motion “Protecting civilians in Gaza and Israel”. More are expected to do so in the coming days and once parliament returns.
The motion will use exactly the same wording (below) as the parliamentary motion tabled by Burgon, also backed by over 90 MPs, which fell when the parliamentary session ended on 26 October.
Richard Burgon MP said, “Over 10,000 people in Gaza and Israel have already lost their lives in the last month alone.
“Preventing the deaths of any more civilians must be our top priority.
“Our Government must now use every diplomatic avenue possible and talk to governments of all persuasions to secure a negotiated ceasefire – one binding on all parties – that can bring an end to this crisis.”
The title and text of the EDM read as follows. Protecting civilians in Gaza and Israel: “This House utterly condemns the massacre of Israeli civilians and taking of hostages by Hamas; agrees with the United Nations Secretary-General that these horrific acts do not justify responding with the collective punishment of the Palestinian people; expresses its deep alarm at the Israeli military bombardment and total siege of Gaza and the resulting deaths and suffering; believes that the urgent priority must be to stop the deaths and suffering of any more civilians in Gaza and Israel; welcomes the joint statement from 12 leading aid agencies, including Oxfam, Christian Aid, CAFOD, Medical Aid for Palestinians and Islamic Relief, calling for the Government to use its influence to help protect civilians, to ensure adherence to international humanitarian law and to guarantee civilians have access to critical life-saving humanitarian support; and to this end supports their call for the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to urgently press all parties to agree to an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities, to ensure the immediate, unconditional release of the Israeli hostages, to end to the total siege of Gaza and allow for unfettered access of medical supplies, food, fuel electricity and water, to guarantee that international humanitarian law is upheld and that civilians are protected in accordance with those laws.”
Richard Burgon is the MP for Leeds East and the Secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
If you support Labour Outlook’s work amplifying the voices of left movements and struggles in the UK and internationally, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon.
Labour's Gaza crisis deepens as left wing MPs plot to force Commons vote on ceasefire - as George Galloway prepares to stand against Sadiq Khan for London mayor
By ANNA MIKHAILOVA and BRENDAN CARLIN
Labour's crisis over Gaza dramatically deepened tonight amid plans by Left-wing MPs to defy Sir Keir Starmer and force a Commons vote on a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Mail on Sunday can also reveal that veteran pro-Palestinian campaigner George Galloway may now stand as London mayor - potentially wrecking Sadiq Khan's hopes of re-election by splitting the Labour vote.
Sources close to Workers Party leader Mr Galloway said that his mayoral campaign would be 'a contest against Starmer'.
Sir Keir was yesterday sticking to his insistence on only 'humanitarian pauses' in the fighting in Gaza despite open and growing opposition from Labour MPs.
Shadow Education Minister Matt Western yesterday became the 18th Party frontbencher to go against Sir Keir's position and call for a ceasefire to stave off 'an unprecedented humanitarian disaster' in Gaza.
Labour's crisis over Gaza dramatically deepened tonight amid plans by Left-wing MPs to defy Sir Keir Starmer and force a Commons vote on a ceasefire in Gaza
Keir Starmer defies Labour MPs by refusing to back Gaza ceasefire
The Mail on Sunday can also reveal that veteran pro-Palestinian campaigner George Galloway may now stand as London mayor - potentially wrecking Sadiq Khan's hopes of re-election by splitting the Labour vote
TRENDING
Pro-Palestine protestors storm Washington DC demanding ceasefire
Pro-Palestine protesters hold up banner of Hamas bulldozer
As Labour implodes on Gaza, breakaway eyes areas with Muslim voters
He stressed how he detested Hamas but 'I fear that Israel's actions will only foment greater anger among ordinary Palestinians as they see their families decimated, literally'.
Now rebel backbenchers are threatening to expose Labour's divisions even further by pushing for a Commons vote when MPs return to Westminster this week.
One senior Leftwinger said: 'We are looking to force a vote on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to show just how many Labour colleagues feel this is the only way to end the dreadful suffering of the Palestinian people.
'It is also in no way in the interests of the Israeli people for their government's military onslaught to continue.'
The Labour rebels are now poised to appeal to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to allow a vote or, at the very least, give MPs an opportunity to debate the ongoing crisis.
Westminster insiders said that would be difficult in the coming as MPs debate the King's Speech programme of new government legislation.
But a source said one procedure to force a vote would be an amendment to the formal 'Humble Address' motion on the King's Speech, although that will not be voted on till next week.
Alternatively, another source raised hopes that an 'opposition day' debate allocated to the SNP a week on Wednesday could spark a vote.
Shadow Education Minister Matt Western (pictured) yesterday became the 18th Party frontbencher to go against Sir Keir's position and call for a ceasefire to stave off 'an unprecedented humanitarian disaster' in Gaza.
The row comes amid reports of several Shadow Ministers with big Muslim populations in their seats being 'on resignation watch' – including Justice spokeswoman Shabana Mahmood, although sources close to her insisted last week she was not quitting.
There are also fears that some Labour MPs that Sir Keir's stance on Gaza could spark challenges in their seats at the next general election from controversial Tower Hamlets' mayor Lutfur Rahman's Aspire party as well as Mr Galloway's Workers Party.
And ex-Labour MP Mr Galloway's threat to stand against Sadiq Khan could pose a serious threat to the Labour mayor's re-election hopes – potentially to the benefit of Tory candidate Susan Hall.
Polling expert and Tory peer Robert Hayward said Mr Galloway standing 'would make a marked difference in the same way as it would if Jeremy Corbyn stood'.
Mr Khan, who is bidding for his third term as mayor, has already moved to distance himself from Sir Keir's stance on Gaza by calling for a ceasefire.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets across the UK again today to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Pictured: Activists in Newcastle today
Thousands join pro-Palestinian protest in London's Trafalgar Square
However, sources close to Mr Galloway dismissed that last night as 'too little, too late'.
But a London Labour source dismissed the Galloway threat to Mr Khan last night, saying: 'This election will be a close two-horse race between Labour's Sadiq Khan, and the out-of-touch Tory candidate who backed Liz Truss' budget which sent mortgages soaring.
'Sadiq will stand on his record against anyone who chooses to run against him - building a better London for everyone including delivering free school meals, record numbers of council homes and being tough on crime and its causes.'
In a bid to contain the Labour rebellion, Sir Keir said last week that 'while I understand calls for a ceasefire, at this stage I do not believe that is the correct position now' as 'Hamas would be emboldened and start preparing for future violence immediately'.
However, leading Left-wing Labour MP Richard Burgon yesterday called for a 'negotiated ceasefire – one binding on all parties – that can bring an end to this crisis'.
Last night, Liberal Democrat sources said they would 'look at it' seeking to table an amendment for a ceasefire vote.
However, they stressed they were seeking 'a temporary humanitarian ceasefire and a full hostage return'.
By ANNA MIKHAILOVA and BRENDAN CARLIN
4 November 2023
Labour's crisis over Gaza dramatically deepened tonight amid plans by Left-wing MPs to defy Sir Keir Starmer and force a Commons vote on a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Mail on Sunday can also reveal that veteran pro-Palestinian campaigner George Galloway may now stand as London mayor - potentially wrecking Sadiq Khan's hopes of re-election by splitting the Labour vote.
Sources close to Workers Party leader Mr Galloway said that his mayoral campaign would be 'a contest against Starmer'.
Sir Keir was yesterday sticking to his insistence on only 'humanitarian pauses' in the fighting in Gaza despite open and growing opposition from Labour MPs.
Shadow Education Minister Matt Western yesterday became the 18th Party frontbencher to go against Sir Keir's position and call for a ceasefire to stave off 'an unprecedented humanitarian disaster' in Gaza.
Labour's crisis over Gaza dramatically deepened tonight amid plans by Left-wing MPs to defy Sir Keir Starmer and force a Commons vote on a ceasefire in Gaza
Keir Starmer defies Labour MPs by refusing to back Gaza ceasefire
The Mail on Sunday can also reveal that veteran pro-Palestinian campaigner George Galloway may now stand as London mayor - potentially wrecking Sadiq Khan's hopes of re-election by splitting the Labour vote
TRENDING
Pro-Palestine protestors storm Washington DC demanding ceasefire
Pro-Palestine protesters hold up banner of Hamas bulldozer
As Labour implodes on Gaza, breakaway eyes areas with Muslim voters
He stressed how he detested Hamas but 'I fear that Israel's actions will only foment greater anger among ordinary Palestinians as they see their families decimated, literally'.
Now rebel backbenchers are threatening to expose Labour's divisions even further by pushing for a Commons vote when MPs return to Westminster this week.
One senior Leftwinger said: 'We are looking to force a vote on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to show just how many Labour colleagues feel this is the only way to end the dreadful suffering of the Palestinian people.
'It is also in no way in the interests of the Israeli people for their government's military onslaught to continue.'
The Labour rebels are now poised to appeal to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to allow a vote or, at the very least, give MPs an opportunity to debate the ongoing crisis.
Westminster insiders said that would be difficult in the coming as MPs debate the King's Speech programme of new government legislation.
But a source said one procedure to force a vote would be an amendment to the formal 'Humble Address' motion on the King's Speech, although that will not be voted on till next week.
Alternatively, another source raised hopes that an 'opposition day' debate allocated to the SNP a week on Wednesday could spark a vote.
Shadow Education Minister Matt Western (pictured) yesterday became the 18th Party frontbencher to go against Sir Keir's position and call for a ceasefire to stave off 'an unprecedented humanitarian disaster' in Gaza.
The row comes amid reports of several Shadow Ministers with big Muslim populations in their seats being 'on resignation watch' – including Justice spokeswoman Shabana Mahmood, although sources close to her insisted last week she was not quitting.
There are also fears that some Labour MPs that Sir Keir's stance on Gaza could spark challenges in their seats at the next general election from controversial Tower Hamlets' mayor Lutfur Rahman's Aspire party as well as Mr Galloway's Workers Party.
And ex-Labour MP Mr Galloway's threat to stand against Sadiq Khan could pose a serious threat to the Labour mayor's re-election hopes – potentially to the benefit of Tory candidate Susan Hall.
Polling expert and Tory peer Robert Hayward said Mr Galloway standing 'would make a marked difference in the same way as it would if Jeremy Corbyn stood'.
Mr Khan, who is bidding for his third term as mayor, has already moved to distance himself from Sir Keir's stance on Gaza by calling for a ceasefire.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets across the UK again today to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Pictured: Activists in Newcastle today
Thousands join pro-Palestinian protest in London's Trafalgar Square
However, sources close to Mr Galloway dismissed that last night as 'too little, too late'.
But a London Labour source dismissed the Galloway threat to Mr Khan last night, saying: 'This election will be a close two-horse race between Labour's Sadiq Khan, and the out-of-touch Tory candidate who backed Liz Truss' budget which sent mortgages soaring.
'Sadiq will stand on his record against anyone who chooses to run against him - building a better London for everyone including delivering free school meals, record numbers of council homes and being tough on crime and its causes.'
In a bid to contain the Labour rebellion, Sir Keir said last week that 'while I understand calls for a ceasefire, at this stage I do not believe that is the correct position now' as 'Hamas would be emboldened and start preparing for future violence immediately'.
However, leading Left-wing Labour MP Richard Burgon yesterday called for a 'negotiated ceasefire – one binding on all parties – that can bring an end to this crisis'.
Last night, Liberal Democrat sources said they would 'look at it' seeking to table an amendment for a ceasefire vote.
However, they stressed they were seeking 'a temporary humanitarian ceasefire and a full hostage return'.
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