Labour Party betrays Palestine

[Editor’s note: As a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn and a lifetime Labour voter, I am annoyed about this policy change. Only annoyed rather than angry however because I understand why it has happened and that is the strength of the Israeli lobby. Yes, Britain, like the US is infested with pro-Israeli lobbyists including groups like Labour Friends of Israel and Conservative Friends of Israel who seek to exert a pernicious influence over British political affairs. The original policy of immediately recognising the Palestinian state is Corbyn’s true stance, this new policy is where he has been forced to go by the Israeli lobby. Ian]

__________
Al Masdar
Labour Party betrays Palestine

The Labour Party in the United Kingdom has made a huge switch in its policy leaving many followers of the Jeremy Corbyn headed Party in disappointment and disbelief.

When Jeremy Corbyn ran his election campaign he presented a clear message to his Palestinian human rights advocating audience, which was outlined in the Labour Manifesto. However this stance for human rights and international law has been all but erased.

The original manifesto stated that “A Labour government will immediately recognise the state of Palestine” and that the party would call for the end of the 11 year ongoing siege of Gaza and the end to the Israeli illegal occupation of the West Bank (occupied officially since 1967).

Now however, due to pressure in the party, Labour have changed their stance on the issue to read; “In Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Labour is committed to a comprehensive peace based on a two-state solution: a secure Israel alongside a secure and viable state of Palestine.” Far from the immediate recognition of a Palestinian state which was formerly promised.

This change in policy has alarmed an overwhelming number of Labour MPs (Jewish and non-Jewish) and is seen to have implications on the parties reputation when it comes to its stances of international relations.

Earlier in January of this year an Israeli government employee (Shai Mascot) working for the embassy was exposed plotting to influence lobby groups, politicians and British student movements. Shai attempted to set up a pro-Israel group called the Young Labour Friends of Israel, he was exposed by al-Jazeera for doing so and with that the activities of many other pro-Israel figures were brought to light.

It seems that the latest move by the Labour Party only benefits pro-Israeli members of the party, and with the move being so widely condemned by Jewish and non-Jewish members alike for changing such a popular manifesto its a real wonder how such a change has been able to happen.