Labour manifesto says future Palestinian state ‘essential’ to ‘long-term security of Israel’
Starmer election manifesto says his party will push for 'a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Keir Starmer has launched the Labour manifesto for the next month’s general election, which includes a claim that the creation of a future Palestinian state is “essential to the long-term security of Israel.”
Speaking in Manchester, Starmer described the party’s manifesto as” a credible long-term plan, with clear, long-term steps”, which was dominated by promises of a plan for economic growth, a new industrial strategy, and a claim that there would be no rise in income tax, VAT or national insurance.
But on page 124, the manifesto committed Labour to placing an “immediate focus” on a push for long-term peace and security in the Middle East.
It said: “Labour will continue to push for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the upholding of international law, and a rapid increase of aid into Gaza.”
The manifesto then added: “Palestinian statehood is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people. It is not in the gift of any neighbour and is also essential to the long-term security of Israel.
“We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.”
Responding to the pledge Michael Rubin, director of Labour Friends of Israel said: “LFI has long supported the establishment of a viable, democratic and independent Palestinian state alongside Israel safe, secure and recognised within its borders.
“Labour’s position of Palestinian recognition as part of a renewed peace process resulting in a safe and secure Israel reflects the serious and grown-up approach taken under Keir’s leadership.
“The Corbyn-era stance of unilateral recognition untethered to any wider process wouldn’t have brought a Palestinian state a day closer. It’s welcome that Labour has moved on from this unserious gesture politics.
“Keir Starmer’s statements that Hamas can have no further role in the governance of Palestine and David Lammy’s repeated pledges to ban the IRGC also underline that a changed Labour party knows that terrorism and extremism represent the most serious threat to long-term peace and stability in the region.”
Mike Katz, national chair of the Jewish Labour Movement said the text was a “principled and pragmatic approach.”
The manifesto also committed Labour to “update the rules around counter-extremism, including online, to stop people being radicalised and drawn towards hateful ideologies.”
It also states that the party will reverse a move by ex Home Secretary Suella Braverman to ban the police from recording “non-crime hate incidents” including antisemitism.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
