Activist who disrupted chancellor's speech says Gaza genocide 'British-backed'

An activist has unfurled a Palestinian flag and heckled during Chancellor Rachel Reeves' speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.

The activist, Rhys Samuel, shouted that there has been "two years of genocide" and "mass starvation of Palestinians".

Reeves responded that she understands the protestor's cause and that the government has recognised a Palestinian state.

She added: "We're now a party in government, not a party of protest", a mantra Labour politicians have used frequently during public protests against them.

After the act of protest, Samuel told Middle East Eye: "'It's unbearable to watch this British-backed genocide unfolding on our screens while Labour carries on with business as usual.

"We should do whatever we can to push for an end to the atrocities."

Labour annual conference began in Liverpool on Sunday amidst strong opposition within the party over its response to Israel's genocide in Gaza.

'The Labour Party is an active partner in this genocide and this will be their lasting legacy'

- Nihal, Palestinian Youth Movement

Two pro-Palestine groups, the Palestinian Youth Movement and London for a Free Palestine, have claimed responsibility for disrupting the chancellor's address on Monday afternoon.

"The Labour Party is an active partner in this genocide and this will be their lasting legacy."

They said they demand that the Labour government implements a full arms embargo on Israel and ends its diplomatic ties with the country, along with the ending of British surveillance flights over Gaza that gather intelligence for Israel.

Nihal, an organiser with the Palestinian Youth Movement, said: "Tens of thousands of Palestinians have already been starved, bombed, and killed while the Labour Party approves weapons licenses, shares intelligence, and offers diplomatic cover for these crimes.

Leila, another organiser with London for a Free Palestine, added: "Despite the UN Commission of Inquiry declaring Israel is enacting genocide, the Labour government still continues to deny the genocide and offer diplomatic support for Israel’s crimes."

Last September, the government suspended 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel after a review found a clear risk that British-made weapons could be used in violation of international humanitarian law.

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Licences for parts for F-35 fighter jets, which are directly used in Gaza, were among those exempted from the embargo.

Recent polling found that 72 percent of Labour’s 2024 voters back a full arms embargo on Israel.

Recent months have seen a series of diplomatic spats between the UK and Israel, two historical allies.

The UK government banned Israeli officials from Britain’s largest arms trade show earlier this month, although it allowed dozens of major Israeli arms companies to exhibit at the event.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the UK’s move to recognise a Palestinian state last week as "rewarding Hamas".

However, Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited Britain earlier this month and met Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street.

Herzog said afterwards that he both "argued" and had points of agreement with Starmer, whom he called Israel's "ally."