Hugh Lanning, Labour & Palestine, outlines the actions we must now demand from the Labour Government.
Israel’s reputation is in tatters Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has highlighted to millions the significance of the decades-long struggle for Palestinian rights and statehood, and has also put the issue at centre stage for the new Labour Government.
Through its actions in Gaza and the West Bank, and its continual refusal to take heed of the United Nations (UN), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and many other calls for a ceasefire, Israel has totally isolated itself internationally, including amongst many former supporters. Apparently, this is even stretching the patience of Joe Biden – although not enough to result in any meaningful action or pressure. All in all, Israel has torn to shreds its much-cultivated image as the ‘only democracy’ in the Middle East. And, nearly a year later, any pretence at ‘self-defence’ has long since passed.
An issue that matters to voters
Meanwhile the UK has been increasingly isolated – under the Tory Government, and now Labour. Despite latter-day statements in favour of a ceasefire from Labour’s front-bench, these came far too late to assuage the anger of the millions who were watching the carnage on their televisions. Not only did Keir Starmer and David Lammy not speak up for Palestine, but at times they even endorsed Israel’s murderous actions.
Both the local elections and the General Election (GE) showed that Palestine is a significant political issue for many voters. Not just the Muslim population, not just the hundreds of thousands demonstrating, but for the millions of young, old, progressive, trade union, and many other voters who would normally be expected to have voted Labour.
This impact has seen Labour spokespeople admitting the need to rebuild confidence with those alienated by the Party’s stance on Palestine and the ceasefire. And during the GE campaign Keir Starmer even briefed the press on his willingness to recognise a Palestinian state at some indeterminate point in the future, a belated and inadequate fig leaf, and an insult to the tens of thousands of innocent people who’ve died.
The litmus test for Labour’s ethical foreign policy
So what should supporters of Palestine now demand from the Labour Government?
Our impressive mass and longstanding movement for Palestine must demand a change of UK Government policy. The UK must become a public advocate of Palestinian freedom from Israeli oppression and occupation. And we must follow the lead of Spain, Ireland, Norway, and others in immediately recognising a Palestinian state, in line with the overwhelming vote of the UN General Assembly.
Israel is now a rogue nation out of control, and recognition of Palestine must be coupled with action to bring it within the framework of international law. Words are not enough – as has been demonstrated by Israel’s contemptuous response to the rulings of the ICJ and International Criminal Court (ICC), based on its continuing belief in its impunity.
Words are not enough
It is its military might that gives Israel its arrogance, but it is also its Achilles heel. The UK is not its largest arms dealer – the US has that tainted honour – but an arms embargo, leading to a total cessation of the two-way arms trade and military and intelligence co-operation with Israel, would be a seismic shift in Israel’s global standing, coming as it would from the country largely responsible for the creation of the modern Israeli state.
UK funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has now been restored, but there are many others demands that can and should be made: withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, plus the reconstruction and independent development of Gaza are all just a start, with Palestinian self-determination the objective.
It is only actions such as the destruction of the Wall, the removal of settlements and settlers, the end of the military occupation and, critically, giving Palestinians back their land together with a return to the internationally-recognised borders of 1967 that a just peace and self-determination can be secured.
These huge steps would also represent a dramatic shift in both Labour and the UK’s policy and practice.
The new Government is an opportunity we must not waste to get Labour to reset its ethical, moral, and political stance on Palestine. It is not an issue that will go away. If Labour fails this challenge, a whole generation of people – not just those on marches, in encampments, or organising local protests – are not going to go away or forget.
- Hugh Lanning is Co-founder of Labour & Palestine – follow on X here and Facebook here
- LIVERPOOL EVENT: Palestine – What should the new UK Government do? Central Liverpool venue. Saturday September 21st, 16.30. Register here. With the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK: H.E Husam Zomlot. Plus: Richard Burgon MP, Kim Johnson MP, John McDonnell MP, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, Hugh Lanning (Labour & Palestine), Fraser McGuire (‘Arise’), Jess Barnard (Labour NEC member), Maryam Eslamdoust (TSSA General Secretary), Mick Whelan (ASLEF General Secretary) & Matt Wrack.(FBU General Secretary).
- You can add you name to the petition calling for the new Government to impose an arms embargo on Israel here.
- This article was originally published in CLPD’s Campaign Briefing Newsletter. Read it in full here.
- You can also read Labour Outlook’s 2024 Autumn Conference bulletin here.
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