In order to understand how the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Leader of the British Labour Party will affect Labour’s relationship with Israel and the Palestinians, we need to understand the status quo ante he inherits.

Labour’s May 2015 General Election Manifesto contained a remarkably bland statement of support for a two-state solution, and actually omitted any criticism of Israeli settlements whilst the notionally more pro-Israel Conservatives did condemn ‘illegal settlements’:

‘Peace and security in the Middle East are one of Labour’s most important foreign policy objectives. We remain committed to a comprehensive two-state solution – a secure Israel alongside a viable and independent state of Palestine. There can be no military solution to this conflict and all sides must avoid taking action that would make peace harder to achieve. Labour will continue to press for an immediate return to meaningful negotiations leading to a diplomatic resolution.’

This Manifesto statement was itself based on a marginally longer statement agreed by the Party’s National Policy Forum (NPF) in 2014 at the end of Labour’s four year rolling policy review: ‘Labour remains committed to a comprehensive peace based on a two-state solution, international law and a secure Israel alongside a secure and viable state of Palestine.
Labour will uphold the principles of equality for all Palestinians and Israelis by respecting human rights and applying international law in all relations and dealings with Israel and the Palestinians.
Labour recognises that the illegal settlements and their continued expansion in the West Bank remain key obstacles to resolving the conflict. Labour has taken and will maintain domestic action to introduce labelling transparency, and will seek a Europe-wide approach to settlement products. Labour will not encourage or support any economic or financial activities within illegal settlements. Labour also supports an immediate end to blockade of Gaza, allowing the free movement of trade, aid and people.’

Read the article in full at Fathom.