Labour conference to vote on whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza

"The Labour conference will vote on whether it believes Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza and whether the the UK-Israel trade agreement should be suspended in what could become a significant conference showdown. Labour members are preparing to use the vote on Monday to highlight their unease with the government's refusal to conclude that Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza."

"The second motion, proposed by Unison and seconded by Aslef, the train drivers' union, called on the government to employ all means reasonably available to it to prevent the commission of genocide in Gaza, and to fully suspend the arms trade with Israel and the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement."

"It also urged Labour to accept the findings of the UN commission of inquiry. Christina McAnea, the Unison general secretary, told conference: This is genocide. But if we wait for this to be confirmed by a court, it will be too late, because it's already happening as we sit here."

Labour conference will vote on whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and whether the UK-Israel trade agreement and related arms sales should be suspended. Members planned to use the vote to express unease with the government's refusal to conclude that genocide is occurring. Two emergency motions were debated: one urged full suspension of arms trade with Israel and further sanctions to pressure compliance with international law; the second, backed by Unison and Aslef, called on the government to use all means reasonably available to prevent genocide, suspend arms and the trade agreement, and accept UN commission findings. The debate erupted amid accusations of silencing dissent and disagreement over the UN report's findings.

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