Key facts
- British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband called Gaza a "stain on the conscience of the world" in a speech.
- Miliband criticized "ethnic cleansing" in the West Bank and "war crimes" in Gaza.
- Miliband vowed to "match words with actions" on UK policy toward Israel.
- The UK announced sanctions on West Bank settlements, described as "symbolic" to the White House.
- Miliband criticized Iran's nuclear program and vowed to isolate the country.
- Over 3,600 people have been arrested for supporting Palestine Action since July 2025.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband delivered a speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, marking a significant rhetorical shift in the party's stance on the Middle East. Miliband described the situation in Gaza as a "stain on the conscience of the world" and stated that those protesting the Labour government's support for Israel "were right."
In his address, Miliband criticized "ethnic cleansing by the settler terrorists" in the occupied West Bank and "war crimes" in Gaza, vowing to "match words with actions." This marks a departure from the previous Starmer era's approach, which was characterized by reluctance to criticize Israel. Miliband also announced sanctions on West Bank settlements, though UK diplomats reportedly assured the White House that these were primarily "symbolic."
The speech also touched upon Iran, with Miliband stating Britain would work to "prevent a nuclear Iran through economic sanctions" and act against Iranian "proxies." The article notes the humanitarian consequences of sanctions on Iran and suggests that weakening Iran serves the strategic interests of the US and Israel.
The article further highlights the arrest of over 50 individuals for supporting Palestine Action, a group proscribed as a terrorist organization by the Labour government. It questions the classification of these individuals and the group as terrorists, noting that Miliband admitted mass arrests were not intended. Additionally, Labour's Conference Arrangements Committee blocked a motion to cancel Palantir's NHS contract, despite claims of the company's involvement in the Gaza conflict.