Labour 'cited threats from pro-Palestine supporters' during ceasefire debate

The head of the main organiser of pro-Palestine rallies in the UK has rejected "smears" against protesters, after concerns about politicians' safety were cited as a reason why a Gaza ceasefire motion was controversially amended on Wednesday evening. 

Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which has organised the biggest marches in the UK since October, told MEE: "The issue of MP security is serious and important, but it cannot be used to evade democratic accountability."

"When people see a genocide occurring with UK political, military and diplomatic support, they have every right to object and every right to demand action."

The Scottish National Party (SNP), one of the opposition parties in the UK parliament, put forward a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which included condemnation of Israel for its "collective punishment" of the Palestinian people. 

Labour, the largest opposition party, then sought to table an amendment, which removed wording such as "collective punishment" and the "slaughter" of innocent civilians. 

Read more: Labour 'cited threats from pro-Palestine supporters' during UK ceasefire debate