Lewisham Green Party welcomes the ceasefire in Gaza, a tentative respite in the merciless bombardment of the Palestinian people, and the release of Palestinian and Israeli hostages. However, this can only be the first step in the latest efforts to secure a long-lasting peace in Palestine.
The Israeli government has subjected the Palestinian people to a brutal genocide and has long maintained an apartheid regime since its formation in 1948. We must see those responsible for war crimes held to account, the end of the illegal occupation of Palestinian land and the ensuring of security and equal rights for Palestinians, Israelis and people of surrounding territories.
We demand that the Labour Government join us in unequivocally condemning President Trump who has suggested ethnically cleansing the Palestinian people from their homeland. We are also concerned at Israel’s decision to stop UNRWA from operating in Palestine, where there is already a significant humanitarian crisis.
The goal must be a lasting settlement with democratic structures and meaningful participation for all ensuring that conflict is avoided in future and that every person has the freedom and resources build a successful life in a thriving community.
We again call on the Labour Government to end all arms exports and military support to Israel and to use its world standing to be a champion for justice and the protection of human rights.’