UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour members defied Sir Keir Starmer, backing a motion to accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza while urging sanctions and a full arms embargo.
As reported by The Telegraph, Labour members defied their leader by voting to label Israel’s actions as genocide.
At the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, delegates approved a motion labeling Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, defying the government’s rejection.
Motion to label Israel’s actions as genocide
The emergency motion urged the Prime Minister to accept a UN report accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and support sanctions and a full arms embargo.
The Public and Commercial Services union tabled the motion, urging Labour to act on Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Ben Jamal, the union’s director, called the motion a
“demand from the Labour conference for a seismic shift in government policy.”
The motion read,
“Conference accepts the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry and calls on the Labour government to… employ all means reasonably available to it to prevent the commission of genocide in Gaza.”
It also called on the Government to
“apply sanctions to put pressure on the Israeli government to respect international law”,
adding,
“ensure individuals and corporations in the UK are not involved in aiding and assisting the genocide.”
Delegates also tabled a motion broadly supporting the Government’s Israel policy.
What did Yvette Cooper say about Palestine recognition and peace?
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Britain’s recognition of Palestine should act as a “spur” for other nations to follow.
She confirmed efforts are underway to achieve a “just and lasting peace” in the Middle East.
Ms Cooper said,
“At the United Nations last week I saw a growing determination from countries across the globe that this intolerable suffering must end, for children facing starvation while Israeli forces block food at the border.”
She stated,
“For the hostages and their families in anguish, a Gaza without Hamas, a Gaza without hunger, a Gaza rebuilt for the Palestinian people. And so now with the demands of the world upon them Hamas must end its abhorrent detention of hostages, the calculated cruelty that has split and traumatised families for almost two years.”
The foreign secretary said,
“And the Israeli government must end the moral obscenity of this campaign that has seen food, water and medicine denied and an unconscionable loss of human life. Because Palestinian civilians should not have to go another day in fear and hunger.”
Ms Cooper added,
“The hostages should not have to live another day in the darkness of captivity. No family should endure another loss, enough is enough, the moment cannot be lost. The time for peace is now.”
What did David Lammy say about labeling Israeli actions as genocide?
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy warned against calling Israeli actions as a genocide, stating,
“When you are asking me to pronounce on the genocide convention… you are effectively asking me to usurp the ICC [International Criminal Court], to usurp the ICJ [International Court of Justice].”
He added,
“Be careful who you join when you undermine the rule of law or ask a serious democratic governing party to do the same.”
Last week, Mr Lammy accused Left-wing figures of undermining legal norms by threatening the rule of law for a Gaza genocide label.
What Did John McDonnell Say About Israel and the UN Report?
The Labour MP John McDonnell stated,
“I am absolutely horrified that the minister [Hamish Falconer] and the leadership is seeking to deliberately mislead Labour members. The UN commission of inquiry was unequivocal. It said Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza.”
What did Israel say about the UN commission of inquiry report?
The Israeli foreign ministry stated in a statement,
“Israel categorically rejects the distorted and false report and calls for the immediate abolition of the Commission of Inquiry.”
They called the investigation a “report that relies entirely on Hamas falsehoods.”
What happened during the Palestine Action protest at Labour’s conference?
Arrests at Liverpool docks protests overshadowed Labour’s conference as activists opposed the ban on the pro-Palestinian group.
Officers in helmets and high-visibility jackets blocked pro-Gaza activists during rising tensions with a separate digital ID protest.
Under Labour’s July ban, joining or supporting Palestine Action can lead to up to 14 years in prison.
Key facts about the Gaza-Israel conflict
The war began on October 7, 2023. As of late September 2025, over 66,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been reported killed, with the actual toll likely higher, according to The Lancet. About 1,200 people in Israel were killed in the initial attack, and since then, the Israeli military reports that over 460 soldiers have died in Gaza.