The Labour Party has prevented dozens of motions concerning Palestine from being debated at its upcoming conference, a move that has drawn criticism from members who accuse the leadership of suppressing discussion on the issue.
Approximately thirty motions submitted by local constituency parties were ruled out of order by the party’s conference arrangements committee. The decisions were primarily justified on the basis that the National Policy Forum report from August had already addressed the Palestinian issue.
The blocked motions included calls for comprehensive sanctions against Israel and a prohibition on trade that facilitates violations of international law. Critics argue that many motions addressed developments occurring after the policy framework was established, including recent military operations in Gaza and the deaths of journalists in the region.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign described the blocking of motions as “shocking,” particularly following recent United Nations findings concerning the conflict. The organization noted that the number of submitted motions had increased significantly compared to previous years, indicating heightened concern among party members about the situation.
A former senior Labour figure stated that with more than thirty motions submitted, it was evident that party members considered Israel’s actions in Gaza a major issue requiring conference discussion. He urged the government to implement stronger measures, including an arms embargo and trade restrictions.
When questioned about opportunities for delegates to discuss Palestine at the Liverpool conference, a Labour spokesperson stated that a wide range of topics would be debated and that all procedures had been properly followed according to party rules.
The decision comes as the British government prepares to formally recognize Palestinian statehood, though many within the Labour membership advocate for more substantial action, including ending military cooperation with Israel.
