The state of Palestine welcomed the passing of a motion on Palestine at Labor Party Conference 2021, recognizing Israel’s colonial and apartheid crimes and calling for strong sanctions against Israel, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in a statement.
Palestinian Mission to the United Kingdom also welcomed the passing of a Labor Party motion calling for immediate action to curb the “ongoing Nakba” in Palestine.
Among the measures, Labor members voted for were an ethical trade policy and an end to the arms trade with Israel and “effective measures” including sanctions to counter Israeli violations of international law like settlement construction and the blockade of Gaza.
The motion also calls for the immediate recognition of the State of Palestine on 1967 borders and calls on Israel to remove its wall in occupied territory and respect the right of return of the Palestinian people.
This is a historic motion, said Head of Palestinian Mission to the UK ambassador Husam Zomlot, and one that underlines the Labor Party’s “commitment to international law and human rights,” he added.
“The vote comes despite a vicious years-long campaign by Israel’s supporters in the UK to stifle debate on Palestine, and defame and eject supporters of Palestinian rights from the Labor Party.” “By passing the motion, Labour Party members have shown they will not be intimidated into silence,” he added.
“We thank them for their support and congratulate the Labor Party for showing it has the courage of its convictions.” The conference also cited a resolution issued by the UK’s Trade Union Congress in 2020, in which it described Israel’s settlement activity as part of the crime of apartheid committed by Israel in the occupied territories, calling on trade unions in Europe and all over the world to “join the international campaign to stop annexation of lands and end the apartheid regime.”
Following is the full motion:
Conference condemns the ongoing Nakba [catastrophe] in Palestine, Israel’s militarized violence attacking the Al Aqsa mosque, the forced displacements from Sheikh Jarrah, and the deadly assault on Gaza.
Together with the de facto annexation of Palestinian land by accelerated settlement building and statements of Israel’s intention to proceed with annexation, it is ever clearer that Israel is intent on eliminating any prospects of Palestinian self-determination.
Conference notes the TUC 2020 Congress motion describing such settlement building and annexation as ‘another significant step’ towards the UN Crime of Apartheid, and calling on the European & international trade union movement to join the international campaign to stop annexation and end apartheid.
Conference also notes the unequivocal 2021 reports by B’Tselem and Human Rights Watch that conclude unequivocally that Israel is practicing the crime of apartheid as defined by the UN.
The conference welcomes the International Criminal Court decision to hold an inquiry into abuses committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 2014.
Conference resolves that action is needed now due to Israel’s continuing illegal actions and that Labour should adhere to an ethical policy on all UK trade with Israel, including stopping any arms trade used to violate Palestinian human rights and trade with illegal Israeli settlements.
Conference resolves to support “effective measures” including sanctions, as called for by Palestinian civil society, against actions by the Israeli government that are illegal according to international law; in particular, to ensure that Israel stops the building of settlements, reverses any annexation, ends the occupation of the West Bank, the blockade of Gaza, brings down the Wall and respects the right of Palestinian people, as enshrined in international law, to return to their homes.
Conference resolves that the Labor Party must stand on the right side of history and abide by these resolutions in its policy, communications and political strategy.
Source: Palestinian News & Info Agency