Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Picture of James Asser MP with the title "co-Chair: LFPME"

Picture of Sarah Owen MP with the title "co-Chair: LFPME"

LFPME welcomes @jamesasser.bsky.social, who is taking on the role of co-Chair alongside @sarahowen.org.uk from this month. 🌹🤝🇵🇸

Statement that reads: *LFPME Statement on Gaza “Board of Peace”* Building a sustainable and lasting peace in Gaza must be led by existing international bodies and within existing frameworks of international law. The US President’s “Board of Peace”, which has been widely criticised by UN member states, is not a solution. It includes no Palestinian representation. In including Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for violations of international law, and whose government and ministers oppose a two-state solution, the Board has shown that it cannot be a vehicle of peace. Netanyahu’s government continues to undermine the UN, recently demolishing UNWRA buildings in East Jerusalem and de-registering international NGOs distributing humanitarian aid. A path forward must respect the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, a two-state solution, and prioritise alleviating the enormous suffering still present in Gaza. It must be rooted in international law and uphold the principles of equality and human rights. Trump’s “Board of Peace” undermines these goals and those working to achieve them. The UK government must redouble its efforts to work with our allies to achieve a genuine and lasting peace that involves representation from Israelis and Palestinians.

Building a strong and lasting peace in Gaza must be led by existing international bodies and within existing frameworks of international law, and must involve Palestinians.

Winter in Gaza is making the need for aid even more urgent - yet the Israeli government has de-registered key NGOs that provide this aid.

I have written to the Middle East Minister alongside our members, to ask what more the UK is doing to ensure innocent civilians urgently get the aid they need.

Today, we honour the memory of all who gave their lives in service to our country, and extend heartfelt thanks to the courageous personnel who continue to serve.

Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Congrats to @lucympowell.bsky.social! You’ve got the guts and the fight in you to help us win again. 🌹

Time to unite, be bold and true to our Labour values.

We're the party that built the NHS, the minimum wage and equal pay.

Labour wins not despite our progressive values, but because of them.

Really delighted to have the support of Labour Friends of Palestine @lfpme.bsky.social Thank you.

Following a decision of our Executive Committee, LFPME is endorsing Lucy Powell to be Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

You can read Lucy’s statement to us here ⬇️

@lucympowell.bsky.social

Statement from Sarah Owen MP that reads: This morning’s news of a deal being reached for the first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza is a moment of hope at a time when endless violence felt inevitable. It will come as an enormous relief for the millions who have been trapped in Gaza and faced endless bombardment from the Israeli military, famine and forced displacement. It will also come as a relief for the hostages and their families. All have endured unimaginable suffering. The plan must now be implemented in full. There must be no delay to an end to the Israeli military’s offensive in Gaza, nor to an immediate increase in aid reaching civilians in Gaza. It must also be the start of a longer process, supported by allies in the region, leading to a two-state solution. May this moment of hope be the start of the end for a war that has caused unconscionable suffering to Palestinians, Israelis and countless others in the Middle East.

This morning’s news of a deal being reached for the first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza is a moment of hope at a time when endless violence felt inevitable.

Two years on from the horrific terror attacks of 7th October that resulted in the largest killing of Jewish people since the Holocaust, renewed focus must be placed on peace in the Middle East.

We implore everyone to centre their common humanity and decency at this difficult time.

We need much more of that in our society, and we will only achieve a better shared future by working together and carefully considering each of our individual roles and contributions. [4/4]

This is especially important in light of not only today's events, but also as we approach the second anniversary of the horrific Hamas attacks on October 7th 2023.

The Government is right to step up security and do whatever is required to keep Jewish communities safe. [3/4]

The surge in antisemitism and antisemitic attacks over the last two years is real and it is unacceptable. When Jewish people tell us they feel unsafe - and what makes them feel unsafe - we must all listen. [2/4]

We are sickened by the antisemitic terrorist attack on a synagogue in Crumpsall this morning.

We send our condolences to the loved ones of those killed. We are also sending our thoughts and support to Jewish communities here in the UK. [1/4]

My thoughts are with the victims of the horrendous attack in Crumpsall today, and the whole Jewish community in Manchester and across the UK on Judaism's holiest day, Yom Kippur.

There must never be any place for this sickening violence in our country.

Day 2 at #Lab25 involved…

A meeting with the British Deaf Association to discuss their work on access to BSL 🧏🏻‍♀️

Speaking to @lfpme.bsky.social as we mark our recognition of Palestine 🇵🇸

Celebrating the contributions of British Muslims with Equi 🎂

Looking forward to more today! 🌹

Palestinians are facing an existential moment, and we are under no illusions that this solves everything, not least the suffering in Gaza. We will continue to work with the Government on other levers it can use to do so.
[7/7]

As part of the UK’s work with its allies in recent months, the Palestinian Authority and Arab partners in the region have themselves made this clear.
[6/7]

The Government has rightly been clear that there can be no role for Hamas within this process. They need to release the hostages, disarm, and play no further role.
[5/7]

Not only does it honour Palestinian rights to self-determination, but it strengthens those committed to peace and a two-state solution, including the Palestinian Authority.
[4/7]

Taken in partnership with our closest international allies, it presents a significant step forward in the global response to the crisis in the Middle East and begins a pathway out of the abyss.
[3/7]

We warmly welcome the UK Government’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine, and we are proud that it has finally happened under a Labour Government.
[2/7]

LFPME’s statement on the UK Government’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine

⬇️ /🧵 [1/7]

🇬🇧🤝🇵🇸

The UK has formally recognised the State of Palestine.

🧵👇

Good to join so many colleagues with Ambassador of Palestine, Husam Zomlot to commemorate recognition of Palestine, something I’ve long supported. Great to see so much support of @lfpme.bsky.social at this important moment.

A further statement on my denial of entry into Israel.

A joint statement from Dr Peter Prinsley MP and Dr Simon Opher MP:

I’m incredibly sad to see my friend Angela Rayner leave government.

We can’t now risk losing touch with who we are and who our party was founded to serve.

Whatever comes next, the Labour Party must speak to, deliver for and unite the country.

That’s what people asked us to do last year.

#Netanyahu’s blockade and weaponisation of starvation have plunged #Gaza into #famine.

The Israeli Government, which continues to deny the #starvation that exists in the very territory it seeks to #occupy, must bring to an end the horrors unfolding before our eyes.

55,000 pregnant women face starvation by this time next year unless more aid gets into Gaza now. Yet this man-made famine continues as the Israeli military blocks aid access.

The UK must use sanctions and every diplomatic avenue to end the Israeli government's starvation of Gaza.

As #famine in #Gaza is officially declared by the UN, this man-made disaster must spur humanity into action.

With intolerable starvation, we need immediate ceasefire, unhindered aid access, end to occupation and settlements, and #Palestine recognition.

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