Labour Party conference motion

We’re encouraging supporters in the Labour Party to submit this motion to their CLP, for submission to this year’s party conference.

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Conference notes that on 10 August, the UN Assistant Secretary General said Israel’s plans to occupy Gaza would “likely trigger another calamity”.

Conference believes these plans are part of ongoing atrocities, including forced starvation, as well as ongoing ethnic cleansing in the West Bank. 

Conference further notes that, whilst the UK government’s shift in tone is welcome, it must do more to promote a just peace for all in Palestine and Israel. 

Conference notes and welcomes the work of Standing Together, a social movement mobilising Palestinian and Jewish citizens of Israel to resist war, occupation, and racism, in pursuit of peace and equality. 

Standing Together affirms the rights of both peoples, Palestinian Arabs and Israeli Jews, to security, freedom, and self-determination.

Conference notes Standing Together’s activity has included successfully defeating far-right settler attempts to block aid trucks; mobilising tens of thousands to attend antiwar protests, including at the Gaza border; running a “Refuse War” campaign to encourage Israelis to refuse to serve in Gaza; and supporting Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem against racist attacks. 

Conference believes that, without a strong grassroots movement fighting for peace and equality, long-term democratic change is impossible.

Conferences therefore resolves:

• To express the Labour Party’s solidarity with Standing Together.

• To encourage CLPs to invite speakers from Standing Together to address meetings.

• To demand stronger action from the government, including unconditionally recognising the state of Palestine, withdrawing all arms export licenses to Israel, increasing aid, and implementing stronger sanctions against West Bank settlers.

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