During the annual Labour Party conference in Liverpool, a pro-Palestinian activist disrupted the keynote address of the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, to highlight Britain’s ongoing role in supporting Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza.
Identified as Sam P, the protester stood up within the first ten minutes of Reeves’ speech, brandishing a large Palestinian flag and demanding, “Why does the UK continue to supply arms to Israel?”
He further accused the Labour Party of being “complicit in the systematic starvation of Palestinians.”
Responding to the interruption, Reeves acknowledged the concerns, stating, “We recognise the Palestinian cause and support the establishment of a Palestinian state.”
She emphasized, however, “Now that we are in government, our role is to govern responsibly, not to protest,” a remark that was met with applause from the audience.
The Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), which orchestrated the protest alongside London for a Free Palestine, issued a statement demanding that the Labour government enforce a comprehensive two-way arms embargo on Israel.
The statement called for an immediate halt to RAF surveillance flights over Gaza that provide intelligence to Israel, the resignation of Labour leadership for misleading the public about Britain’s involvement in Israel’s actions, and the severing of diplomatic relations with Israel.
Earlier this year, PYM published a report revealing that despite the UK’s public announcement of suspending arms export licenses to Israel, military equipment continued to be shipped to the country amid the conflict.
Nihal, a PYM organiser, explained that the protest was motivated by the escalating violence in Gaza, where Palestinians are enduring the most intense bombardment since the onset of the conflict.
“Thousands have been subjected to starvation, relentless bombing, and death, all while the Labour Party authorizes weapons sales, shares intelligence, and shields Israel diplomatically,” Nihal stated.
Leila, representing London for a Free Palestine, expressed concern over the Labour Party’s shift from its traditional left-wing roots toward a more centrist stance on key issues.
“Despite the UN Commission of Inquiry’s declaration that Israel is committing genocide, the Labour government continues to deny this reality and provides diplomatic backing for these atrocities,” Leila remarked.
In a historic move earlier this month, the UK formally recognised Palestinian statehood, marking a significant moment 108 years after the Balfour Declaration and 77 years following Israel’s establishment under the British Mandate.
While Palestinian officials welcomed this recognition, it has yet to translate into tangible relief for those enduring the brutal conditions in Gaza.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, nearly two years of relentless Israeli airstrikes and a recent ground offensive in Gaza City have resulted in over 66,000 deaths and more than 168,000 injuries.
Across the UK, hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets in frequent demonstrations opposing Israel’s israel-prolonged-isolation-gaza-war/” title=”Netanyahu Admits … Faces Prolonged Isolation Amid … War”>military actions, feeling largely ignored by government officials.
Additionally, peaceful protests against the UK government’s July decision to ban the Palestine Action group under the Terrorism Act 2000 have been met with stringent police crackdowns and numerous arrests.
