This region is now a tinderbox: Lib Dems back ban on Israel arms sales over human rights abuses in Gaza and demand immediate recognition of a Palestinian state

The Liberal Democrats today overwhelmingly backed a full ban on UK arms sales to Israel over claims of human rights abuses during its war in Gaza.

Sir Ed Daveys party also restated its call for immediate recognition of a Palestinian state in a vote at its annual conference in Brighton. 

The emergency motion was moved by foreign affairs spokeswoman Layla Moran, whose mother is Palestinian, and came after talks with Lib Dem groups groups supporting both sides in the conflict.

It also includes calls for stronger sanctions against the destabilising activities of Iran and its proxies in the region, including Hamas and Hezbollah. 

Ms Moran told the conference: This region is now a tinder box, we now need to wrest control from these extremes...

Israel began its military campaign in Gaza on October 7 last year after Hamas led a shock incursion into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The resulting assault on Gaza has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to the enclaves health ministry, and reduced much of the territory to rubble.

Layla Moran told the conference: This region is now a tinder box, we now need to wrest control from these extremes.

While the vote was passed easily there was criticism of it from some Lib Dem delegates. Johnathan Gale, a councillor in Hemel Hempstead, said Israel was a liberal democracy facing its darkest hour.

When there are suspected human rights abuses anywhere in the world, UK arms should not be allowed to be used. Right now that includes Gaza, but also, crucially, the West Bank.

While the vote was passed easily there was criticism of it from some Lib Dem delegates. Johnathan Gale, a councillor in Hemel Hempstead, said Israel was a liberal democracy facing its darkest hour.

Israel is in a war for survival, he added.

If you disarm Israel there will be no more Israel. 

Israel began its military campaign in Gaza on October 7 last year after Hamas led a shock incursion into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

The resulting assault on Gaza has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to the enclaves health ministry, and reduced much of the territory to rubble.

Hamas chief Yehya Sinwar has congratulated the Yemeni Houthi group for its missile attack on Israel and said this sent a message to their foe, the Houthi Al-Massirah TV reported today.

The Iran-aligned Houthis, who control northern Yemen, reached central Israel with a missile on Sunday for the first time, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to say Israel would inflict a heavy price on them.

An Israeli military official said the missile was hit by an interceptor and fragmented in the air. Missile pieces landed in fields and near a railway station. There were no direct casualties but nine people were lightly hurt while seeking cover.