Labour’s Palestine motion means Keir Starmer’s war on the left is not over
JVL Introduction
The 2021 Labour Party conference saw a sustained attack on the left in the Party and the rollback or weakening of previously established positions.
The mood of conference was an almost desperate one to appear united even if this involved swallowing what many found unpopular and unhelpful changes.
But, against the grain, Party members were not prepared for their firm commitment to Palestine to be called into question, as we reported in the story of overwhelming Labour Party support for condemnation of “Israel’s continuing illegal actions”.
Here Jonathan Cook places the story in context.
“With Corbyn gone,” says Cook, “and most of his allies either purged or cowed, Starmer has begun driving the party rightwards in an attempt to reassure the establishment that, unlike the socialist Corbyn, he will be a safe pair of hands, protecting its interests at home and abroad.”
He cannot do that while Labour’s commitment to Palestine remains as buoyant as ever…
This article was originally published by Jonathan Cook's blog on Wed 29 Sep 2021. Read the original here.
Labour’s Palestine motion means Keir Starmer’s war on the left is not over
Labour leader Keir Starmer needs to look strong to win a general election but is still committed to tearing his party apart with antisemitism witch-hunt
Loading article text…
I don’t think … the Starmer team understand that we’re still here. Those of us who believe in civil rights for all, whatever their race, are going nowhere. We’re just as interested in the rights of Palestinians as we are of the Uyghurs in China, the Karen in Myanmar, the Tutsi and Hutu, Shia and Sunni minorities and other oppressed peoples yet only Palestinians can’t be spoken of, let alone cared about.
The fact that so many in the Labour party can’t see the awful and obvious inconsistency and imbalance here is quite worrying. It’s as though there is so much desire for power that the whole reason Labour exists has been forgotten.
We still have a power that can’t be taken from us, and that’s the legal capacity to vote and in 30 months time, if Starmer and Co. don’t change their attitude to the Palestinian struggle and those who support it, we need to seriously consider denying them our support – and mean it!
There are enough of us to make a difference, illustrated by the recent votes of support for pro Palestinian motions, so a concerted effort to convince the leadership that without a drastic sea change, the lust for power of what is becoming a centre-right political party will be thwarted.
Another Labour defeat, however painful to us would surely be a catalyst for change in a party that once shone a beacon of hope for all embattled people.
No doubt Louise Ellman, who has rejoined the LP (without any requirement for any explanation as to why and how she left so as to maximize damage to the LP? – certainly not from apologist Margaret Hodge) will be cheering on the Israel ‘Defence’ Force as they brutalize ever more Palestinian children – and adults, not to mention their livestock.
I am surprised this important issue has not attracted comment thus far. Reading this I can detect a fear arising among the good people of the LP that their dreams may be smashed if the right wing get their way and we are no longer ‘allowed’ to be socialists.
The struggle against social injustice must never be neglected as long as people of integrity & virtue have air to breathe. A one State solution for Palestine where all people are equal.