Netanyahu’s authority seems determined never to accept a free Palestine between the river and the sea, seemingly determined to ethnically cleanse Gaza and colonise occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank
Finally recognising Palestine is a debt of honour long overdue that will not create a state unless we back words with actions.
Keir Starmer deserves credit for doing what previous Prime Ministers dodged. But it will be largely symbolic and not change the position on the ground without Britain joining allies to pressure the most reactionary, extremist settler regime in Israel’s history.
Because warlord Benjamin Netanyahu’s Palestinian-killing, cobbled-together government is not only at war with Hamas terrorists and avenging the murderous horrific pogrom of October two years ago.
Netanyahu’s authority seems determined never to accept a free Palestine between the river and the sea, seemingly determined to ethnically cleanse Gaza and colonise occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Small boats should be known as ‘Brexit boats’, top Lib Dems urged UK recognises Palestine: Arguments for and against and what happens next
Which is why without threats to ban all weapons sales and impose biting economic sanctions (which don’t appear at the moment to be in Starmer’s armoury), recognising a Palestinian ambassador will not save lives. The botched Israeli attempt to assassinate Hamas negotiators in Qatar signalled a ceasefire is not close or perhaps desired, despite a halt in fighting proving the best way to secure the release of hostages who Netanyahu is prepared to sacrifice.
Coming so soon after the announced Hillsborough Law to ban future public cover-ups, the Prime Minister is moving into a better place domestically and internationally. However, whether that will improve his and Labour’s fortunes in the polls is yet to be seen. But at least Starmer is on the right side.
The attempted Kingwashing of Donald Trump, Israel’s global protector and chief supplier of weapons, Starmer rolling out the red carpet to fawn over the unhinged US President, was nauseating. Yet despite a tough Budget ahead in November and backlash in parts of Britain, the government has good tales to shout about, from reviving the NHS and minimum wage and pension increases to new job rights on the horizon and money-spinning improved relations with Europe.
Net migration is falling and the odds are Labour will stem, if never completely halt, small boat crossings that are obsessing sections of the public and political enemies.
Recognising Palestine as a state might not improve living standards here in Britain. But it is right in principle and, let us be honest, would not happen under Reform or the Conservatives.
Ed drumming up fans…
Embarrassing dad Ed Davey twirling the baton at the head of a marching band in Bournemouth was the Lib Dem leader pitching himself as a decent pair of hands.
Edgier MPs in his 72-strong Parliamentary group, the most they’ve had since 1923, loudly grumble with some justification that Nigel Farage and even Jeremy Corbyn grab more headlines with only five apiece.
Nor do many, many Labour people forgive Davey and his party for allowing David Cameron and George Osborne to unleash Conservative crippling austerity in the ConDem coalition, Davey serving as Energy Secretary.
His strategy is to collect disillusioned Labour and Tory voters by outstripping Starmer on Trump and Gaza, and the Cons over just about everything as they lurch into reactionary mayhem.
And if it works, after the next election a Lab-Lib coalition to keep out Reform and Tory mini-me’s could be on the cards in the national interest.
Thug Tommy turned back
Far-right thug and career criminal Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has a list of convictions for assault, hooliganism, using a fake passport, mortgage fraud, drugs and contempt of court for jeopardising a grooming gang trial.
He has turned himself into an extremely wealthy man, enjoying a luxury lifestyle a world away from people he stoked to riot last year from his hotel sunbed in Cyprus.
So it was no surprise the thug fancied another break after the violent Disunite the Kingdom bash in London. But how funny the yob is whinging that both Colombia and Panama wouldn’t let him in. I thought Robinson wanted countries to bar foreign criminals.
