“If Palestinians were regarded and treated as equal human beings by Israel and the West – the colonial war on Palestine and the occupation would have been over long ago.”
“If Palestinians were regarded and treated as equal human beings by Israel and the West – the colonial war on Palestine and the occupation would have been over long ago.”
That’s what Hugh Lanning of Labour and Palestine said, as they joined forces with Arise Festival on Friday 29th November to mark the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
A solidarity event ahead of today’s national demonstration of solidarity in London was watched by hundreds whilst Hugh was joined by Richard Burgon MP, Peter Leary of PSC, student Mads Wainman, Labour Students national Disability Officer and Warwick University, chaired by Jess Barnard of Labour’s NEC.
Lanning said, “The ICC ruling and the issuing of arrest warrants is a very important step – it makes it harder for Western Governments to ignore Israel’s actions. Signatories of the Convention are under an obligation to detain for trial those identified as war criminals by the ICC.”
He added, “the arrest warrants should provide a golden opportunity for Labour to put clear water between itself and US foreign policy” but warned, “it has succumbed to Anti-Palestinian racism, as much as both the Republican and Democratic establishments have in the States” and set out how, “Our challenge on this UN Day of Solidarity is to commit to bringing Labour and this Government back within popular reach.”
Richard Burgon said it was a matter of justice that everyone responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity must be held to accountable.
He highlighted his recent letter of 60 Parliamentarians published in time for the UN Day of Solidarity which called on the British Government to escalate action to deliver a ceasefire and bring Israeli politicians to justice, including through ending the arms licensing carve-out that means British manufactured F-35 jet components reach Israel via the US, ending trade that continues to allow illegal settlement goods to be sold in Britain, an end to the roadmap established to deepen ties between Britain and Israel, and to recognise the State of Palestine.
Highlighting the UK response to the Internatioanl Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s Peter Leary said it was, “Shameful that British Foreign Minister Hamish Falconer had failed in the parliamentary debate to make clear to Netanyahu and Gallant that they would be arrested if they came to Britain.”
He said this highlighted the need to increase pressure on British government, through escalating the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign and said, “Join us on the historic 22nd national demo this Saturday”.
Mads Wainman talked about the role of students delivering solidarity with the Palestinians and highlighting how UK universities have invested £430 million pounds in companies complicit in the illegal actions of the Israeli government and highlighted how, “Students have responded nationally, with encampmentsand campaigns to pressure universities to divest.”
Trinity College, Cambridge, has announced an end to investments in arms companies, Kings College London halted investment in Israel’s arm’s suppliers and Goldsmiths College announced a review into its policies.
At her own uni, where arms trade companies BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce invest in Warwick Manufacturing Group, students had held an encampment and occupation.
“Whether it’s University Chancellors, or Prime Minister’s, we must stand together and make our voices heard.”
Wrapping up the meeting, Jess Barnard who had earlier in the week joined a Downing St reception for Labour’s NEC wearing a ‘No arms to Israel’ sweater, said, “the Labour Party should be the voice or workers and not the voice of Washington. We will continue to campaign for Palestinian lives and Palestinian freedom.”
In relation to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign national demo, she said, “Turn out tomorrow and keep turning out.”
- The event was hosted by Arise Festival and Labour & Palestine, you can watch it back in full here.
- Mustafa Barghouti is speaking on ‘Palestine – the struggle for justice in 2025’ at Labour and Palestine’s next event with Arise on 21st January – register here.
- You can follow Arise Festival on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X; and listen to the Arise Festival podcast on Spotify.
- You can follow Labour & Palestine on Facebook and Twitter/X.
Featured image: Palestine Solidarity Campaign banner at the national march for Palestine held on March 9th, 2024. Photo credit: PSC/X
