Hugh Lanning, Labour & Palestine, gives some pointers to activists who stand with Palestine as the General Election campaign kicks off.

Following the local elections, Palestine is already an election issue. Now a general election has been called, what should Labour Party members and activists be doing on Palestine? It is obvious we want to hold MPs and candidates accountable for their views. But more importantly we the need to put the maximum pressure on the next Labour Government to adopt a better stance than the current Government and a different, more progressive one than Labour has shown in opposition on Palestine.

What did they do during the war?

With the attacks on Rafah beginning, it looks like the war will be ongoing during the course of the election. Therefore it will remain a priority to seek support from all candidates – of all parties, for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, until it happens.

At hustings, candidates could be asked if and when, during the course of the war, they came to support a ceasefire and how long do they think it should last?

Follow up – further questions could include: “The ICJ has ruled that the assault on Rafah should halt, do they agree?” and “What should the next Government do?”

Moving Forward

The UK has been increasingly isolated, both within the UN and in the Government and Labour’s response to developments. The priority will be to seek to shift the new Government’s approach. There are many ways in which this could be done, but two key issues should be the immediate focus of supporters of Palestine in the labour and trade union movement.

1. International Law

Israel continually flouts international law, openly saying it will ignore the rulings of the ICJ and ICC. It will continue to do so unless there are consequences for its actions. UK and Western arms, knowledge, finance and resources are supporting and making possible the Israeli onslaught on the Palestinian people – which the ICJ regards as potentially a plausible case of genocide.

All candidates should be asked if elected, would they support an immediate arms embargo on Israel, leading to a full cessation of arms trade and military support if Israel fails to comply with international law?

2. What happens when the bombing stops? Time to recognise Palestine!

The other key issue is what will happen when the bombing and killing stops? Western Governments have returned to citing the necessity of a political solution in the form of two-states. This is clearly not going to be possible while Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem remain under military occupation. It will also require the removal of the illegal settlements and settlers.

As a first step, all candidates should be asked would they join the majority of countries globally – recently joined by Ireland, Spain and Norway – and support the immediate recognition of Palestine, as voted for by the UN assembly?

There are clearly many other questions that could be asked. The priority for many Labour Party members on the doorstep will obviously be the removal of the Tory Government, but we want this to result in change, a change for Palestine. We must not allow unchallenged the continuation of the status quo, whereby public opinion is ignored and the UK gives support to the massacre of the Palestinian people that is going on.

Please raise the issue, publicise the response you get from candidates and let’s try and make a difference for Palestine.