The Netanyahu government has been a disaster for Israel and its security, for the Palestinian people, and for the prospects of a wider regional peace. Netanyahu’s decision to stop aid flowing into Gaza at the bequest of his far-right coalition partners is unjustifiable and we have consistently opposed it.
We support sanctions against extremists in Israel and the Palestinian territories who incite violence. We are disappointed by the government’s decision to suspend negotiations on a UK-Israel free trade agreement. Weakening Britain’s important economic, security and strategic relationship with Israel will do nothing to bring about an end to the tragic conflict Hamas initiated on 7 October 2023. Untargeted measures which punish the Israeli people as a whole will instead simply play into the hands of the Netanyahu government while isolating moderate voices for peace.
LFI supports an immediate ceasefire; unrestricted humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza; the immediate and unconditional release of all the Israeli hostages; an end to Hamas’ rule in Gaza; and intensified diplomatic efforts towards a regional peace deal and a path to a two-state solution.
Alongside The Democrats, Labour’s sister party in Israel; the families of the Israeli hostages; and a majority of the Israeli public, we strongly oppose the approach being pursued by the current government. We share the Israeli people’s desire for new elections, a change of government, and an end to the Netanyahu era.
