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Pro-Palestine March Set to Take Place in Liverpool Amid Labour Party Conference
A significant pro-Palestine demonstration is poised to occur in Liverpool this Saturday, coinciding with the Labour Party conference. Organizers anticipate that the event, the 19th “national march for Palestine,” will draw tens of thousands of participants.
The march is scheduled to commence at midday near Lime Street railway station and will conclude at King’s Dock, where members of the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, are gathering for their conference.
Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), emphasized that the demonstrators are advocating for an immediate cessation of arms shipments to Israel. He criticized the recent decision by the UK government, which he termed an “inadequate partial suspension” of arms export licenses, and urged a more decisive action to halt all arms sales.
Jamal stated, “The Labour government is aware of the crimes being committed by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank. However, instead of fulfilling its responsibilities under international law, it continues to protect Israel from facing any accountability.”
The event is organized by a coalition that includes prominent groups such as the PSC, Stop the War Coalition, and the Muslim Association of Britain. Organizers project a substantial turnout, reflecting growing public sentiment regarding the ongoing conflicts in the region.
The series of marches began as a response to the violent outbreak initiated by Hamas militants on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of 250 hostages. Israel’s military retaliated with an offensive in the Gaza Strip, leading to an estimated 41,000 casualties, mostly among civilians, according to local health authorities.
The PSC claims that one of the largest rallies, held on Armistice Day, saw participation figures of 800,000, although police estimates suggest around 300,000 attended.
Support for the PSC’s agenda has emerged from various constituency Labour parties and trade unions, which are pushing for a debate on Palestine-related motions during the conference. These motions call for adherence to international law and a complete stop to arms exports to Israel, although it remains uncertain if they will be discussed.
Concerns have been raised by the PSC regarding potential efforts by factions within Labour’s leadership to sideline these motions, aiming to prevent any political fallout for the government and to avoid criticisms of Israel’s conduct.
In addition to the march, fringe meetings will be held at the conference, though the PSC has expressed frustration over restrictions that prohibit the use of terms like “genocide” and “apartheid” in their event descriptions provided in the official guide.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has recently adopted a motion advocating for an immediate end to all UK arms trade with Israel, although some critics have noted its failure to address the actions of Hamas or the events of October 7.
Jamal remarked, “The broader labour movement, as reflected by the unanimously passed TUC motion, is pressing for accountability measures against Israel, including a full arms embargo. Public opinion polls consistently show that both Labour party members and the wider public support these demands. This scenario presents a moral challenge for Keir Starmer and Labour leadership; they must advocate for the enforcement of international law and confront those who violate it, regardless of their identity.”
Source
www.theguardian.com