A source close to Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has walked back a manifesto commitment to recognise Palestine, which could be yet another U-turn. The source said that UK recognition of Palestinian statehood was a “process” that should be done in “co-ordination with allies”.
The thing is, the UK’s key ally, particularly in the matter of Israel and Palestine, is the US. And the US lobbys against the recognition of a Palestinian state. Nonetheless, with Ireland, Norway, and Spain formally recognising Palestine in May, 146 out of 193 UN member states now uphold Palestinian self-determination in the form of a nation.
Labour Palestine: the usual fluff
In the Labour’s manifesto, it reads:
Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. It is not in the gift of any neighbour and is also essential to the long-term security of Israel. We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
So the usual fluff from the UK/US partnership on Israel, with no real action on the ongoing genocide. And already Labour are walking back what could be considered a symbolic gesture, the recognition of Palestine.
Trade between the UK and the Israeli occupied Palestinian territories totalled £38m in 2023. This represents trade with the Palestinian authority, which has very limited control under Israel’s occupation of the West Bank.
Despite the genocide, Starmer’s Labour has refused to ban arms sales to Israel or call for sanctions on the state.
When has Starmer ever challenged Rishi Sunak on Israel?
During the final general election debate between Starmer and Sunak, Palestine solidarity protestors disrupted the event from outside, shouting “free, free Palestine”.
In December, a concerned Scotsman confronted Starmer on a train to Glasgow, saying:
Keir, how many more children have to die in Palestine before you call for a ceasefire?
Starmer backed Israel’s assault on Gaza for four months, before eventually calling for a peace deal. Whether Starmer will uphold that call as government policy is unlikely without massive pressure.
Labour’s manifesto claims the party will “continue to push for an immediate ceasefire”. One issue is it’s unclear they have been pushing for a peace deal, beyond a few warm words. Starmer has never challenged Sunak on Conservative policy towards Israel’s genocide.
He isn’t an opposition leader, he’s an accomplice.
Featured image via Sky News – YouTube
