UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has described the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank as “a stain on the conscience of the world”, delivering one of the strongest criticisms of the Netanyahu government at Labour’s annual conference.
Miliband said on Monday the threats faced by Israel “cannot justify” its actions and received strong applause as he condemned the suffering of Palestinians.
“I want to say to the millions of people in this country, and indeed elsewhere, who have been moved and outraged by the plight of the Palestinian people, we hear you. You were right,” he said.
He said Labour had changed its approach under leader Andy Burnham, promising to challenge abuses in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
“And under Andy's leadership, we have reset our approach. We call out ethnic cleansing by the settler terrorists in the West Bank. We call out the evidence of war crimes in Gaza. We call out Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine, and we match word with action.”
Miliband announced measures targeting economic links with illegal Israeli settlements, saying Britain would move beyond condemnation.
“We will ban the import of goods from illegal settlements. We will disrupt the supply lines for British finance, British construction, and British services for illegal settlements.”
“Our argument is not with the people of Israel, but with the actions of its government,” he said, adding that Labour would oppose efforts to undermine the prospect of a two-state solution.
“And when it comes to the attempt to destroy the two-state solution, this party, this movement, this government said we will not let you succeed.”
‘Survivor’s responsibility’
Miliband also spoke about his parents and what he described as a “survivor’s responsibility” to oppose oppression and injustice.
“My parents didn’t just observe a country fighting for values. They taught me that I have a responsibility to fight for them too,” he said.
He pledged to defend what he called “Labour values, Britain’s values” during his tenure as foreign secretary.
Closer ties with Europe
Miliband also called for a stronger relationship between Britain and the European Union, saying Europe remained central to Britain’s values, interests and alliances.
“We are part of this fight as humanitarians, but also as proud Europeans. This is our continent,” he said.
“So it is not simply Britain acting alone, but Britain with others. Our future lies in a stronger, deeper partnership with the European Union.”
