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The diplomatic rift between the UK and Israel has intensified dramatically after the ruling Labour Party's annual conference in Liverpool passed a motion on Monday, September 29, 2025, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and calling for an immediate, full arms embargo.
The move, which defied the stated policy of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's government, triggered a furious reaction from Jerusalem, with the Israeli Foreign Ministry branding the Labour Party's governance of Britain a "disgrace" and accusing the party of "choosing to embrace Hamas."
Defiance on the Conference Floor
Labour party members and affiliated trade unions, including UNISON and ASLEF, voted decisively in favour of an emergency motion that accepted the findings of a recent United Nations (UN) report. That report, issued by a UN Commission of Inquiry, concluded nearly two weeks ago that Israel "has committed genocide" in its nearly two-year war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The motion passed also called on the Labour government to immediately "fully suspend the arms trade with Israel" and apply further sanctions. It notably passed despite a push from the party leadership for a more cautious alternative motion, which failed to gain sufficient support, particularly from powerful trade union blocs. The Jewish Labour Movement expressed its "huge disappointment" with the vote, noting the motion's failure to mention the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks or the hostages held in Gaza.
The official UK government line, reaffirmed by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy following the vote, maintains that the determination of whether genocide is occurring is a matter for international judicial bodies, specifically the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), "not for politicians." This stance, however, stands in stark contrast to the party policy now established by the conference motion.
Israel's Fiery Response: "Labour Stands with Hamas"
The reaction from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government was immediate and scathing. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Israeli Foreign Ministry said: "While Prime Minister Netanyahu and President [Donald] Trump are working tirelessly in Washington to end the war in Gaza, the UK Labour Party chooses to embrace Hamas and fully adopt its lies, including the fake genocide campaign."
The statement concluded with the highly inflammatory accusation: "The world stands with the US and Israel in their efforts to end the war. Labour stands with Hamas. It is a disgrace for Britain that this is the party in power." This unprecedented criticism directly challenges the legitimacy of the democratically elected British government.
The timing coincided with Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit to the White House on Monday, where he met with US President Donald Trump. Following their meeting, Trump unveiled a 20-point peace proposal for Gaza, which Netanyahu agreed to back. The plan, which includes an immediate ceasefire and hostage release, is now under review by Hamas, who have previously rejected key conditions such as disarmament. The meeting underscored the ongoing, strong US-Israel alignment, in contrast to the rapidly deteriorating relationship with the UK.
Escalating UK-Israel Tensions
The conference vote further exacerbates already strained relations. Tensions had already spiked in the weeks prior after Sir Keir Starmer formally recognised Palestinian statehood, having conditioned such recognition on an immediate ceasefire and a commitment to a two-state solution—conditions flatly rejected by Mr. Netanyahu’s administration.
Israel's government has previously condemned the recognition of Palestine by the UK and other allies, including France, Canada, and Australia, claiming the move "rewarded" Hamas, whose terror attacks on October 7, 2023, killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and triggered the latest conflict.
While the Labour leadership remains officially opposed to labelling Israel's actions as genocide, other ministers have voiced deep concern. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, speaking on Tuesday, suggested Israel may be guilty of war crimes and ethnic cleansing. He cited figures within the Israeli government "calling for the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza which could be tantamount to ethnic cleansing" and the "apportioning of collective blame on the Palestinian people for the actions of Hamas, laying the grounds for collective punishment, which in itself is a war crime."
The non-binding nature of the conference motion means the government is not legally required to change its policy, yet the vote highlights a significant, deep split between the Labour leadership and its core membership, intensifying pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to align UK policy more closely with the majority view of his party and its allies. The outcome of this diplomatic fallout is set to redefine the UK’s role in the Middle East peace process.
