Labour Party members are urging Keir Starmer to acknowledge the alleged genocide by Israel in Gaza. In a setback for the government, a Unison-led emergency resolution was passed, calling for the suspension of arms sales to Israel and endorsement of a UN report accusing Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration of genocide.

During a passionate address, Unison’s General Secretary, Christina McAnea, implored the party to recognize the situation in Gaza. She emphasized the severity of the crisis, with over 65,000 Palestinian casualties and ongoing suffering in Gaza. McAnea stressed the urgency of intervention, stating that waiting for formal confirmation would be too late given the ongoing atrocities.

Highlighting the need for immediate action, McAnea emphasized the Labour Party’s history of advocating for peace in the Middle East. The emergency motion, although non-binding, passed with a majority, urging the government to take all possible steps to prevent genocide in Gaza, halt arms trade with Israel, and cease partnerships involving illegal West Bank settlements.

Echoing the call for action, Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy emphasized the government’s responsibility to prevent genocide. A previous ruling by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on September 16 had already accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.