Labour manifesto and Palestine: What is now party policy?

Labour has committed to recognising a Palestinian state “as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution” as part of the policy platform set out in its general election manifesto.

The party has faced scrutiny over its stance on Palestinian statehood amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with former shadow minister Richard Burden last year calling on Labour to reinstate the Jeremy Corbyn-era policy of immediately recognising the state of Palestine.

A Labour spokesperson told LabourList at the time the party was committed to recognition alongside international partners as part of efforts to secure a two-state solution, and one insider dubbed the alternative Corbyn-era stance of immediate, unilateral recognition an “unrealistic gesture” that would hinder peace efforts.

READ MORE: The key manifesto policy priorities in brief

The wording in the manifesto sees a slight change from the wording of the final document produced by the party’s National Policy Forum policymaking process, which stated that the party would “work alongside international partners to recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel”.

Here is a summary of the party’s key manifesto pledges on Palestine and Israel:

• Labour has pledged to continue to push for:
  • An immediate ceasefire.
  • The release of all hostages.
  • The upholding of international law.
  • The rapid increase of aid into Gaza.
• The manifesto describes Palestinian statehood as the “inalienable right of the Palestinian people”.
• 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.

Find out more through our wider 2024 Labour party manifesto coverage so far…

OVERVIEW:

READ MORE: Labour manifesto launch: Live updates, reaction and analysis

READ MORE: Full manifesto costs breakdown – and how tax and borrowing fund it

READ MORE: The key manifesto policy priorities in brief

ANALYSIS AND REACTION:

READ MORE: Fabians: ‘This a substantial core offer, not the limit of Labour ambition’

READ MORE: ‘No surprises, but fear not: Labour manifesto is the start, not the end’

READ MORE: ‘What GB energy will do and why we desperately need it’

READ MORE: ‘Labour’s health policies show a little-noticed radicalism’

READ MORE: ‘The manifesto’s not perfect, but at the launch you could feel change is coming’

READ MORE: IPPR: ‘Labour’s manifesto is more ambitious than the Ming vase strategy suggests’

READ MORE: GMB calls manifesto ‘vision of hope’ but Unite says ‘not enough’

READ MORE: IFS: Manifesto doesn’t raise enough cash to fund ‘genuine change’

READ MORE: Watch as Starmer heckled by protestor with ‘youth deserve better’ banner

POLICY NEWS:

READ MORE: Labour vows to protect green belt despite housebuilding drive

READ MORE: Manifesto commits to Brexit and being ‘confident’ outside EU

READ MORE: Labour to legislate on New Deal within 100 days – key policies breakdown 

READ MORE: Labour to give 16-year-olds right to vote

READ MORE: Starmer says ‘manifesto for wealth creation’ will kickstart growth

READ MORE: What are the manifesto’s NHS and health policies?

Read more of our 2024 general election coverage here.

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