The Labour Party Conference is set for a major showdown as members prepare to vote on whether to recognise Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and whether to suspend the UK-Israel trade agreement. The vote, scheduled for Monday, highlights growing divisions within Labour over the government’s stance on the war in Gaza.
Delegates debated two emergency motions, including a call to fully suspend arms sales to Israel and impose sanctions to pressure the Israeli government to comply with international law.
The second motion, tabled by Unison and backed by the train drivers’ union Aslef, urged the government to use all means available to prevent genocide, suspend the arms trade and the UK-Israel trade partnership, and adopt the findings of the UN commission of inquiry.
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea told the conference: “This is genocide. But if we wait for a court ruling, it will be too late.”
Anger Over Labour Leadership’s Position
The debate turned heated as activists accused the party leadership of silencing members after seven delegates opposed to the motions were selected to speak. A rival leadership-backed motion endorsing the government’s current policy and describing the UN findings as evidence of only “a risk of genocide” will also be put to a vote.
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell accused the leadership of misleading members: “The UN commission of inquiry was unequivocal. It said Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza.”
Party sources, however, downplayed the tensions, describing the discussions as “civilised and collegiate” despite disagreements.
UK Government’s Genocide Risk Assessment
The controversy comes as ministers review an internal risk assessment on whether there is a “serious risk” of genocide in Gaza, a legal obligation under the Genocide Convention.
The report, based on evidence collected until June, is at least four weeks behind schedule. Its findings are expected to spark controversy, potentially straining relations with Israel or deepening divisions within Labour.
UK officials stress that proving genocide requires clear evidence of intent to destroy a population, a high evidential threshold. Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the UN that Israel is not forcing Palestinians out of Gaza and cannot therefore be accused of genocide.
Global Pressure Mounts on UK
Internationally, Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez and leaders across the global south have accused Israel of genocide. UK ministers, while describing conditions in Gaza as “grotesque,” have so far stopped short of acknowledging even a “serious risk.”
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since Hamas launched its October 2023 attack on Israel.
The outcome of Labour’s vote could intensify calls for the UK to act on its international obligations and further divide opinion within the party.
