Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 1d

Two years on from the horrific terror attacks of 7th October that resulted in the largest killing of Jewish people since the Holocaust, renewed focus must be placed on peace in the Middle East.

1 3 7

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 6d

We implore everyone to centre their common humanity and decency at this difficult time.

We need much more of that in our society, and we will only achieve a better shared future by working together and carefully considering each of our individual roles and contributions. [4/4]

2

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 6d

This is especially important in light of not only today's events, but also as we approach the second anniversary of the horrific Hamas attacks on October 7th 2023.

The Government is right to step up security and do whatever is required to keep Jewish communities safe. [3/4]

1 1

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 6d

The surge in antisemitism and antisemitic attacks over the last two years is real and it is unacceptable. When Jewish people tell us they feel unsafe - and what makes them feel unsafe - we must all listen. [2/4]

1 2

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 6d

We are sickened by the antisemitic terrorist attack on a synagogue in Crumpsall this morning.

We send our condolences to the loved ones of those killed. We are also sending our thoughts and support to Jewish communities here in the UK. [1/4]

1 10 29

Reposted by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 6d

My thoughts are with the victims of the horrendous attack in Crumpsall today, and the whole Jewish community in Manchester and across the UK on Judaism's holiest day, Yom Kippur.

There must never be any place for this sickening violence in our country.

2 6 40

Reposted by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 8d

Day 2 at #Lab25 involved…

A meeting with the British Deaf Association to discuss their work on access to BSL 🧏🏻‍♀️

Speaking to @lfpme.bsky.social as we mark our recognition of Palestine 🇵🇸

Celebrating the contributions of British Muslims with Equi 🎂

Looking forward to more today! 🌹

2 8

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 17d

Palestinians are facing an existential moment, and we are under no illusions that this solves everything, not least the suffering in Gaza. We will continue to work with the Government on other levers it can use to do so.
[7/7]

1 3 4

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 17d

As part of the UK’s work with its allies in recent months, the Palestinian Authority and Arab partners in the region have themselves made this clear.
[6/7]

1 2 2

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 17d

The Government has rightly been clear that there can be no role for Hamas within this process. They need to release the hostages, disarm, and play no further role.
[5/7]

1 1 1

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 17d

Not only does it honour Palestinian rights to self-determination, but it strengthens those committed to peace and a two-state solution, including the Palestinian Authority.
[4/7]

1 1 1

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 17d

Taken in partnership with our closest international allies, it presents a significant step forward in the global response to the crisis in the Middle East and begins a pathway out of the abyss.
[3/7]

1 2 2

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 17d

We warmly welcome the UK Government’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine, and we are proud that it has finally happened under a Labour Government.
[2/7]

1 3 6

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East @lfpme.bsky.social · 17d

LFPME’s statement on the UK Government’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine

⬇️ /🧵 [1/7]

1 19 60

Reposted by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 17d

🇬🇧🤝🇵🇸

The UK has formally recognised the State of Palestine.

🧵👇

9 11 70

Reposted by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Lucy Powell MP @lucympowell.bsky.social · 21d

Good to join so many colleagues with Ambassador of Palestine, Husam Zomlot to commemorate recognition of Palestine, something I’ve long supported. Great to see so much support of @lfpme.bsky.social at this important moment.

6 24

Reposted by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Simon Opher @simonforstroud.bsky.social · 21d

A further statement on my denial of entry into Israel.

4 9 15

Reposted by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Dr Peter Prinsley MP @peterprinsleymp.bsky.social · 22d

A joint statement from Dr Peter Prinsley MP and Dr Simon Opher MP:

6 18 39

Reposted by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 22d

The UN Commission of Inquiry’s statement that genocide is being committed in Gaza is the latest call to action that the UK, and international community, cannot and must not ignore.

@lfpme.bsky.social 👇🇵🇸

Statement that reads:

“The UN Commission of Inquiry’s statement that genocide is being committed in Gaza is the latest call to action that the UK, and international community, cannot and must not ignore.

It follows countless testimonies of ethnic cleansing and a ruling of plausible genocide from the International Court of Justice, and statements from the International Association of Genocide Scholars and Israeli organisations B’Tselem and PHRI that the Israeli military’s conduct meets the definition of genocide.

The urgency and significance of this moment cannot be understated. More than 64,000 have been killed and millions displaced. Entire communities and cities have been destroyed, and famine is being used as a weapon of war.

We must see accountability, extensions to sanctions, an immediate and lasting ceasefire, a large increase in aid provision reaching those who need it, and release of remaining hostages - whose interests are not served by ever-escalating violence.

While the recent step to recognise the state of Palestine is welcome, history has taught us that in all cases of genocide and human rights violations, the pathway to peace must include justice. Today’s statement from the UN confirms the horrors the Palestinian people have endured at the hands of Israeli forces.

As a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention, our government, alongside international leaders, must act now before all hope is lost.”

4 9 17

Reposted by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · Sep 5

I’m incredibly sad to see my friend Angela Rayner leave government.

We can’t now risk losing touch with who we are and who our party was founded to serve.

Whatever comes next, the Labour Party must speak to, deliver for and unite the country.

That’s what people asked us to do last year.

15 19 150

Reposted by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Tan Dhesi MP @tandhesi.bsky.social · Sep 2

#Netanyahu’s blockade and weaponisation of starvation have plunged #Gaza into #famine.

The Israeli Government, which continues to deny the #starvation that exists in the very territory it seeks to #occupy, must bring to an end the horrors unfolding before our eyes.

1 3 6

Reposted by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · Sep 2

55,000 pregnant women face starvation by this time next year unless more aid gets into Gaza now. Yet this man-made famine continues as the Israeli military blocks aid access.

The UK must use sanctions and every diplomatic avenue to end the Israeli government's starvation of Gaza.

2 9 24

Reposted by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Tan Dhesi MP @tandhesi.bsky.social · Aug 29

As #famine in #Gaza is officially declared by the UN, this man-made disaster must spur humanity into action.

With intolerable starvation, we need immediate ceasefire, unhindered aid access, end to occupation and settlements, and #Palestine recognition.

www.sloughexpress.co.uk/gallery/coun...

1 4

Reposted by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · Aug 18

"Recognition is neither a reward for one party nor a punishment for another; it is a long-overdue affirmation of the Palestinian people’s unconditional right to exist and live freely in a state of their own"

Read @lfpme.bsky.social article in @labourlist.bsky.social 👇

'Palestine recognition is the first, not final, step to achieving a durable peace' - LabourList

Calls to delay recognition until after negotiations serve only to entrench the status quo, granting the occupying power, Israel, an effective veto over Palestinian rights.

labourlist.org

5 21

Reposted by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · Aug 11

Any targetting of journalists in Gaza and across the world is a blatant and despicable breach of international law.

Article 79 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Convention, explicitly states that journalists in war zones should be treated as civilians and protected. /1

Financial Times @financialtimes.com · Aug 11

Israel has killed a prominent Al Jazeera correspondent in Gaza and four other employees at the television network in an air strike targeting their tent in the besieged strip. on.ft.com/41vHpBl

4 5 33