Saturday 12 October 2024

Green Party Declares Israel's Actions in Gaza a 'Genocide'

Green Party Declares Israel's Actions in Gaza a 'Genocide'

Politics | 1 month ago

By Robert Gritten

The Green Party of England and Wales has officially recognized Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide, marking a historic stance among major British political parties.

During its annual conference, the Green Party passed a motion that branded the Israeli assault on Gaza as genocide and pledged support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. This decision aligns the party with the growing public sentiment against the ongoing violence and occupation in Gaza.

Mothin Ali, a Green councillor from Leeds and a proponent of the motion, emphasized the need for peace-loving individuals to acknowledge the realities in Gaza. He stated that recognizing the situation as genocide is crucial for promoting lasting peace and accountability for the suffering inflicted upon the Palestinian population.

The Green Party's leadership has noted that public support for a ceasefire and cessation of genocide is strong among its membership. Chris Williams, who led the recent election campaign, highlighted that a significant portion of Green voters prioritized Gaza as a key issue in the elections.

In contrast to the Labour Party, which initially supported Israel's military actions, the Greens called for a ceasefire shortly after the conflict escalated. Party officials criticized the UK government's limited suspension of arms sales to Israel, asserting that true peace cannot be achieved while the government remains complicit in violence.