UK's Labour Party to recognize Gaza genocide, demand full arms embargo on 'Israel'

Delegates at the UK Labour Party’s annual conference have voted in favor of a motion declaring that 'Israel' is committing genocide in Gaza and calling for sanctions.

The resolution, passed in Liverpool on Monday evening, marks the first time a Labour conference has formally endorsed the findings of a recent UN Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that 'Israel' has committed, and continues to commit, genocide in Gaza. The motion also demands a comprehensive arms embargo and sanctions against 'Israel'.

Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said the decision was a turning point. “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.”

Maryam Eslamdoust, general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association, echoed that sentiment, “Today the Labour movement stood on the right side of history and in solidarity with the Palestinian people, sending a clear message to the Labour leadership: we will not remain silent on the crime of genocide.”

The vote came after delegates rejected another motion broadly aligned with Labour’s current policy on 'Israel', which had been supported by Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer. That proposal inaccurately claimed the UN had only identified a “risk of genocide.” In reality, the September 16 report found that 'Israel' had already committed genocide and was still carrying it out.

A copy of the successful emergency motion, states, “Conference accepts the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry and calls on the Labour government to… employ all means reasonably available to it to prevent the commission of genocide in Gaza.” It also insists that the UK impose sanctions and ensure no British entities are complicit in “aiding and assisting the genocide.”

Sara Husseini, director of the British Palestinian Committee, urged Labour’s leadership to follow through. “The Labour leadership must now join their own party members, along with the UN, genocide scholars and countless human rights organisations in confirming Israel's genocide against the Palestinian people, and end the UK's complicity in it.”

The outcome intensifies pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose government last week recognized a Palestinian state but has so far resisted calls to label 'Israel’s' actions as genocide. Current UK policy has included only partial restrictions: in September, 30 of 350 arms export licences to 'Israel' were suspended, but exemptions remain for components used in F-35 fighter jets deployed in Gaza.

Polling indicates strong public backing within Labour’s base, with 72 percent of 2024 voters supporting a full arms embargo on 'Israel'.

The vote also comes amid growing friction between London and Tel Aviv. Earlier this month, the UK barred 'Israeli' officials from attending Britain’s largest arms trade exhibition. 'Israel’s' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Britain’s recognition of Palestine as “rewarding Hamas,” while President Isaac Herzog, during a visit to London last week, described Starmer as an “ally” despite disagreements.