Labour rules against dozens of motions about Palestine being debated at party conference

Labour has ruled out motions about Palestine being debated at its party conference later this month, triggering accusations that it is trying to stifle debate.

The conference arrangement committee, made up of Labour elected reps and officials, has ruled about 30 motions about Palestine from local parties out of order.

Some of those who submitted the motions may appeal against the decisions, which were mostly made on the grounds that the issue was already dealt with by the National Policy Framework (NPF) report in August. They have until Sunday to object, with appeals heard on Monday.

The prime minister is preparing to recognise Palestine as an independent state this weekend, but many Labour members and MPs would like to see the government going further by ceasing all arms trade with Israel and withdrawing military cooperation.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), which has support from some Labour MPs, accused party officials of attempting to stifle debate on Palestine at the party conference.

The group argued that many of the proposed motions focused on events that took place after the NPF report was published, including the announcement of the Israeli government’s plans to militarily occupy Gaza City on 8 August and the killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza City on 10 August.

The motions also raised new issues such as comprehensive sanctions and a ban on trade that aids or assists Israel’s violations of international law.

There was a huge increase in submitted motions compared with the previous year, reflecting the priority given to the issue by Labour members and local parties.

John McDonnell was among those within Labour calling for Palestine to be debated at conference. Photograph: Chris Bull/Shutterstock

John McDonnell, the former shadow chancellor and a supporter of the PSC, said: “With more than 30 motions on Palestine submitted to this year’s Labour party conference, it is clear that party members see Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people as a major issue that needs to be raised on [the] conference floor.

“The government should join those including Sadiq Khan who have spoken out this week to make clear that what we are witnessing in Gaza is genocide and urgently implement sanctions, including a full arms embargo and a ban on all trade that aids or assists Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people. Delegates must not be prevented from discussing these issues at conference.”

Ben Jamal, the PSC’s director, added: “Just days after a UN commission of inquiry confirmed that Israel has committed and is committing genocide in Gaza, it is shocking that Labour officials are trying to block a large influx of motions in solidarity with Palestine from being debated at this year’s party conference.”

Israel has consistently rejected all accusations of genocide, citing its right to self-defence.

Asked whether there would be any opportunity for delegates to debate Palestine at the Liverpool conference, a Labour spokesperson said: “A wide range of topics will be debated and discussed at annual conference. The democratically elected conference arrangements committee rules on whether motions to conference are in order, in line with Labour party rules. All party procedures have been followed.”