In an opinion piece for Middle East Eye, Ben Jamal, a British Palestinian activist and former Director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, argues that while recent policy shifts by the UK Labour government regarding Israel are welcome, solidarity activists must maintain intense pressure to achieve meaningful change.
The Context of Labour’s Reset
Jamal addresses British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband’s recent announcement banning the import of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. While Zionist critics suggest Miliband is merely pandering to voters and Labour party members ahead of by-elections, Jamal argues this view ignores the primary driver: Israel’s aggressive colonization of the West Bank. However, Jamal acknowledges that Labour’s desire for a policy reset is also heavily influenced by the party’s loss of support among voters angered by the previous government’s perceived complicity in the Gaza conflict.
This internal party pressure was evident at the Labour annual conference, where Miliband was cheered for telling protesters that they were right to demonstrate, and where a motion was passed calling for action to end UK complicity and institute a full arms embargo. Jamal also notes symbolic actions, such as the historic decision not to send a single cabinet minister to the Labour Friends of Israel reception, while Miliband publicly embraced the Palestinian ambassador.
The Need for a Fundamental Shift
Despite these positive steps, Jamal insists they represent the floor of what is required, not the ceiling. He critiques the framing of Miliband’s reset, noting that the UK government continues to target the occupation while maintaining that its quarrel is with the Netanyahu administration, not Israel itself. Jamal argues this narrative falsely assumes Israel is a liberal democracy undertaking an unpopular occupation, pointing to widespread Israeli public and political support for policies in Gaza and the West Bank.
Furthermore, Jamal asserts that challenging global injustice requires naming it correctly. He argues that Israel operates a system of apartheid and racial supremacy, and that any solution—whether a two-state or single democratic state—must dismantle this system.
Demands for Accountability and the Future of the Movement
While Jamal welcomes the shift away from former Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s overt denial of a genocide in Gaza toward supporting the International Court of Justice (ICJ) processes, he stresses that the ICJ has already invoked obligations for states to prevent genocide. Beyond the promised settlement ban, Jamal outlines necessary next steps that must be taken immediately. These measures include targeting Israeli banks providing services to settlements, enacting a comprehensive arms embargo that includes F-35 components, and halting all trade supporting unlawful actions. Additionally, he calls for a full public inquiry into UK ministerial complicity regarding arms sales, alongside the repeal of recent public order legislation that grants police broad powers to ban and repress peaceful demonstrations for Palestinian rights.
In conclusion, Jamal argues that the solidarity movement forced the current shift in Labour policy and that activists must keep their foot on the pedal, urging massive turnout for upcoming national marches to ensure the government is judged by its future actions, not just its initial steps.
Original analysis inspired by Ben Jamal from Middle East Eye. Additional research and verification conducted through multiple sources.
