Lib Dem deputy leader says party's Gaza position driven by 'principle'

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper has told Middle East Eye her party’s policy on Gaza has been driven by "the right thing to say” at the party’s annual conference in Bournemouth. 

The third largest party in the British parliament has made headlines in the past week over its hardening stance on Israel’s genocide in Gaza. 

In September 2024, the Liberal Democrats called for a full arms embargo on Israel, becoming the largest British party in terms of parliamentary seats to do so.

Last week party leader Ed Davey accused Israel of committing genocide for the first time after the UN’s top investigative body on Palestine and Israel ruled that Israel is guilty of genocide in Gaza, in the most authoritative pronouncement to date. 

He made the comments while justifying his decision to boycott the royal banquet for Wednesday night in honour of visiting US President Donald Trump, in protest over his support for Israel's war. 

Read more: Lib Dem deputy leader says party's Gaza position driven by 'principle'