- Ed Miliband addressed the Labour Party conference, stating that critics of the Gaza war "were right" to be "moved and outraged by the plight of the Palestinian people," acknowledging past shortcomings of the Labour government's approach.
- The UK government is set to take a tougher stance on Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, as stated by Miliband.
- Miliband described the Israeli government's actions in the Palestinian territories as "a stain on the conscience of the world" and pledged new sanctions.
- He announced measures including banning the import of goods from illegal settlements and disrupting supply lines for British finance and services towards these settlements.
- While dining at Pizza Express during the Labour conference, Miliband was confronted by pro-Palestine activists who demanded he de-proscribe Palestine Action and declare genocide in Gaza.
- Miliband refused the activists' requests and attempted to end the interaction by saying, "it was nice to meet you anyway".
- Palestine Action was proscribed in June 2025 after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton and vandalized military aircraft, with the proscription coming into force on July 5, making support for the group a criminal offense.
- The Court of Appeal denied a legal challenge to the proscription, ruling it was lawful.
- Earlier this month, the UK government announced a ban in the occupied West Bank, marking a significant policy shift.
Ed Miliband addressed the Labour Party conference, stating that critics of Israel's actions in Gaza were justified in their outrage. He described the Israeli government's actions as “a stain on the conscience of the world” and announced new sanctions, including banning imports from illegal settlements.1
Miliband emphasized the need for the UK to “call out ethnic cleansing” and war crimes, pledging to disrupt economic ties with Israeli settlements. He acknowledged the previous Labour government's shortcomings in addressing Palestinian issues, stating, “We hear you. You were right.”
Despite the new stance, the government faces criticism for its ongoing links to Israel and treatment of pro-Palestinian protesters. Miliband, who is Jewish, warned against undermining the two-state solution, asserting Labour's commitment to Palestinian statehood.
Later, Miliband was confronted by Palestine Action activists at a Pizza Express in Liverpool, where they demanded he “declare genocide in Gaza” and de-proscribe their group, which had been labeled a criminal organization. The activists highlighted ongoing arrests of peaceful protesters nearby, urging Miliband to engage with them.57
The confrontation reflects growing public pressure on the Labour Party to take decisive action against perceived injustices in Gaza, as activists call for an end to UK complicity in Israel's actions.
“Miliband announced measures including banning imports from illegal settlements and disrupting supply lines for British finance, construction, and services. He also warned against moves threatening the two-state solution, citing Israel's approval of a plan to cut the occupied West Bank in two.”
haaretz.com
