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Starmer silent as Labour Conference recognises Israel’s genocide

On 29 September, a motion passed at the Labour Conference which means the party has now recognised Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian population in Gaza. While the UN had already acknowledged the same thing, the UK government published a report denying that the genocide is happening. This latest development will put additional pressure on prime minister Keir Starmer to recognise the genocide. For the moment, however, the Labour leader is quiet on the matter.

Historic recognition of Israel’s genocide – but Starmer silent

The passed motion places a demand on Labour to “ensure individuals and corporations in the UK are not involved in aiding and assisting the genocide”. Additionally, there is the expectation that the government should “apply sanctions to put pressure on the Israeli government to respect international law”.

Those who have spoken out include Ben Jamal (director – Palestine Solidarity Campaign):

This is a huge defeat for the government, with the Labour Party finally accepting that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

This historic vote must now become government policy: imposing comprehensive sanctions on Israel and a full arms embargo.


While Starmer has not made an official statement, the Green Party issued the following:

By agreeing that the Israeli regime is committing genocide in Gaza, Labour members have exposed their leadership for not only denying what the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded, and most of the public believe, but also of complicity by continuing to arm Israel.

Keir Starmer and his ministers must not waste another second in calling out this act of genocide, end immediately the supply of all arms to Israel and impose strict sanctions on the country. It is clear from today’s motion, passed by a majority of Labour members, that conference would be the right time and place to do this.

Others are speaking out to demand that Starmer aligns the Labour government with the expectations of the UN’s verdict:


Featured image via Keir Starmer / Labour

By Willem Moore

This post was originally published on Canary.