UK FM denounces Netanyahu govt, vows tougher action over Gaza

UK Foreign Minister Ed Miliband on Monday called the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank “a stain on the conscience of the world”.

Delivering a sharp criticism at Labour’s annual conference, Miliband said the threats Israel faces “cannot justify” the actions that have followed.

He received a large round of applause from the conference hall as he condemned the suffering of Palestinians and set out a tougher approach towards the government of Benjamin Netanyahu.

"I want to say to the millions of people in this country, and indeed elsewhere, who have been moved and outraged by the plight of the Palestinian people, we hear you. You were right," he said.

He said Labour had changed its approach under Andy Burnham’s leadership, promising to challenge abuses in Gaza and the West Bank.

“And under Andy's leadership, we have reset our approach. We call out ethnic cleansing by the settler terrorists in the West Bank. We call out the evidence of war crimes in Gaza. We call out Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine, and we match word with action.”

Miliband also announced measures targeting economic links with Israeli settlements, saying Britain would move beyond statements of condemnation.

“We will ban the import of goods from illegal settlements. We will disrupt the supply lines for British finance, British construction, and British services for illegal settlements.”

His remarks amounted to one of the strongest criticisms of the Netanyahu government from the Labour leadership at the conference.

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“And friends, our argument is not with the people of Israel, but with the actions of its government,” he said.

Miliband also warned against efforts to undermine the prospect of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, saying Labour would oppose moves that threaten the two-state solution.

“And when it comes to the attempt to destroy the two-state solution, this party, this movement, this government said we will not let you succeed.”

'Survivor’s responsibility'

Miliband also spoke about his parents and the values they passed on to him, referring to what he called a “survivor’s responsibility”.

“My parents didn’t just observe a country fighting for values. They taught me that I have a responsibility to fight for them too,” he said.

He said that responsibility meant leaving the world better for future generations and never standing by in the face of oppression and injustice.

“Not me, not you, not us,” Miliband said, rejecting the idea that people necessarily become more cynical with age.

He promised to defend what he described as “Labour values, Britain’s values” throughout his time as foreign secretary.

Closer partnership with Europe

Miliband also called for a closer relationship between Britain and the European Union.

“We are part of this fight as humanitarians, but also as proud Europeans. This is our continent,” he said.

He argued that Europe was central to Britain’s values, interests and alliances, from climate policy and the Middle East to trade, defence and security.

“So it is not simply Britain acting alone, but Britain with others,” he said. “Our future lies in a stronger, deeper partnership with the European Union."