• Lib Dems to help suffering Palestinians by recognising the State of Palestine and denying the sale of arms to Israelis.
• Manifesto reveals policies to support Uyghurs, Sudan andAfghanistan – going further than any other party.
There is a wider belief that voters are more clued up and have made actual efforts to research parties and their manifestos rather than go in and vote for what they or their families have traditionally voted for. The trigger for much of this change lately has been the Tory’s constant carelessness for human life, but now even more so with Labour leaving voters feeling that tactical voting is needed for a realistic chance to set about real change.
One such party – the Liberal Democrats – has gone so far with some of their manifesto pledges where no other party has dared to tread. Their manifesto reads as follows:
“Work with our allies to help bring security and stability to the Middle East, which has become a tinderbox amidst the Israel-Gaza conflict, including by:
• Advocating for an immediate bilateral ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict, recognising that there is no military solution to remove Hamas from Gaza.
• Leading a diplomatic push towards a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine based on 1967 borders, to deliver the security and dignity that Israelis and Palestinians deserve.
• Officially recognising the independent state of Palestine with immediate effect.
• Recognising the existential threat of Iran not just in the Middle East but to Western democracies, by proscribing Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
• Upholding and respecting international courts and international law.”
Lib Dems would call for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders
Despite having a Christian Palestinian MP – Layla Moran – in their ranks, the Liberal Democrats have been lacking in media coverage, which could be down to how the mainstream media is currently focusing on the main two parties, most would say an anti-Palestinian, anti-democracy, Islamophobic agenda is currently in play across all mainstream channels.
It can also be said that for much of the time since October 8th, the Liberal Democrats have been towing the middle ground for a ‘two-statesolution’ however, had also been calling for an “immediate bilateral ceasefire” since mid-November.
They also go on to say that they:
“Stand with Uyghurs including by Recognising that the human rights abuses being perpetrated against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang amount to the crime of genocide.”
Lib Dems would recognise the genocide of Uyghur Muslims
“Work with the international community and neighbouring countries on the provision of safe, legal passages for those who wish to leave Afghanistan, and support Afghan refugees in the UK.”
“Increase UK humanitarian assistance to Sudan and play a stronger role in seeking a ceasefire and long-term peace where civilians form a democratic government and war crimes are prosecuted.”
The thought of being able to identify with such a party that would go so far as to support key issues that the Muslim community had spent years campaigning for would be a huge boost for the Lib Dems and those Muslims currently suffering across those countries.
The Lib Dems go even further and commit to recognising and abiding by reports which identify inhumane suffering and to ensure the sale of UK arms is stopped as a result. Such a commitment is obviously bad for people like the Israelis who incidentally do not have a ‘Lib Dem – Friends of Israel’ group.
“Legislate to ensure there is a parliamentary vote before engaging in military action, and support intervention only when there is a clear legal or humanitarian case, while preserving the government’s ability to engage in action in emergencies with a retrospective vote or under treaty obligation.”
“Introduce a ‘presumption of denial’ for arms exports to governments listed as human rights concerns in the Foreign Office’s annual human rights report.”
As an Ummah, whatever we decide from which ever corner of the UK we live in, we all may face difficulties in our own lives. Hopefully, we can all agree that our brothers and sisters, who are suffering more than us should for once dictate where our vote ought to lie.
