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Douglas Alexander slams Israel's Gaza blockade and occupation

Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander blasted Israel yesterday, demanding the state ends its blockade and occupation of Gaza.

Mr Alexander described how the “vast majority” of the 2,131 people killed in Gaza this summer were civilians — hundreds of them children.

He made clear that Labour condemns both Israel’s onslaught and Hamas’s rockets.

But he told delegates: “Only two states for two peoples can bring justice, peace and security all sides deserve.

“The blockade must end, the occupation must end.”

The Scottish MP was responding to an impassioned call from conference floor for Labour to ditch it’s “even-handed” response to an uneven conflict.

Torridge and West Devon delegate Ian Gasper said: “Power is not even-handed between Israel and Palestine. It’s all with one side. Palestinians have nothing.”

Mr Gasper won applause when he called Labour’s response to match the action it took against South Africa’s apartheid regime.

“The comparisons between Israel and South Africa are very, very clear.

“Palestinian people are not allowed to move from one place to another to go to their place of work or see their family,” he said.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign praised Labour for including “fundamental principles of international law” in its manifesto.

Director Sarah Colborne said Mr Alexander’s speech reflected growing sympathy with Palestinians among Labour members and MPs.

She told the Star: “I think his speech did reflect a change of attitude and the manifesto principles are important — but there’s still some way to go.”

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