Robert Carter
Press TV, Brighton
On the fringes of the UK Labor Party's annual conference in Brighton many pro-Palestine members have congregated to promote the Palestinian cause.
This is not uncommon since Labor have a large pro-Palestine following, however, the party has yet to officially adopt the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions policy which calls for a boycott of all Israeli made goods and any company doing business with Israel.
Britain is a battleground for Palestinian rights and Labor members have expressed strong support for adopting the BDS movement in the past but with Brexit, the civil war and a looming election on the horizon the Palestinian issues may be sidelined by the leadership.
Speaking to members and delegates outside the conference, they informed me that the appetite for a Labor adoption of the BDS movement is high within its membership.
Some critics of BDS have accused it of being anti-Semitic. A branding which has been rejected by activists.
Last year’s conference was considered a roaring success, in particular, scenes of Palestinian flags flying high was applauded by members but the support comes at a cost, especially for shadow cabinet members who criticize Israel.
The shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, was heavily criticized after reports surfaced she was due to attend a fringe meeting in Brighton alongside BDS co-founder, Omar Barghouti and the party leader Jeremy Corbyn has often be condemned for his comments on Israel too.
This year Corbyn is expected to focus his attention on a revolutionary socialist agenda and internal disputes on Brexit but for these pro-Palestine activist the fight for Palestine must continue.