Angela Rayner made a surprise appearance at the Annual Palestine Reception at the Labour Party's annual conference tonight, giving a speech in which she took aim at Israel.
The Deputy Prime Minister's speech was an unexpected addition to the evening, with the Ashton-under-Lyne MP criticising Benjamin Netanyahu's government for its actions in Gaza.
Speaking to the dozens of party members gathered in the room, Rayner hit out at Israel for its "unacceptable" actions before reaffirming the Labour Government's vow to formally recognise the state of Palestine.
The senior politician told those gathered: "Thank you to... Labour Friends of Palestine in the Middle East for inviting me to speak here this evening on behalf of myself and the Prime Minister.
Angela Rayner hit out at Israel as she addressed the Annual Palestine Reception at the Labour Party's annual conferenceGB NEWS"Though it's a pleasure to see friends and colleagues at this Palestinian reception, we're acutely aware of the ongoing situation in Gaza.
"We've all seen horrendous scenes play out on our screens for many, many months.
"Over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 93,000 have been injured. Many of those have been women and children.
"The humanitarian situation is beyond appalling. With dire sanitary conditions, a serious risk of famine, 17 hospitals completely out of service, and the polio outbreak. Aid flows are still far below Israel's stated claim to flood Gaza with Aid.
"This is unacceptable and much more needs to be done."
Members on the Left of the Labour Party have long demanded the leadership go further in supporting Palestine against Israel.
Angela Rayner hailed Labour for taking action against Israel in its first three months in power
GB NEWS
Ever since Israel responded to Hamas committing the largest slaughter of Jews in a single day since the Holocaust on October 4 last year, there has been pressure on the UK Government to publicly condemn Israel and scale back relations with the country.
Celebrating Labour's actions in Government to support Palestine and take a firm line with Israel, Rayner said: "In our first two weeks in Government, we restored the funding to Unraw (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency) just as we promised ahead of the election. We announced five million pounds in new funding for the field hospitals and medical aid, and six million pounds to Unicef (the United Nations Children's Fund) support to vulnerable families in Gaza.
"We have condemned settlement expansion, settlement violence, and unacceptable, and extreme rhetoric, including calling out Israeli government ministers.
"In that first month we withdrew the Tory Government challenge to the International Criminal Court. And we've undertaken a review of all arms sales to Israel and announced a suspension of a number of arms transfers.
"All of that goes to show the difference between three months of a Labour Government and 14 years of Tory rule."
Rayner's remarks come after Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the Labour Party Conference yesterday that an “immediate ceasefire” is required between Israel and Hezbollah following a “worrying escalation”.
Lammy said the ongoing hostilities are in “nobody’s interest” as he also advised British nationals in Lebanon to “leave now”.
Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Kassem, speaking on Sunday, said his group is now in an open-ended battle of reckoning with Israel.
David Lammy recommitted to a two state solution yesterday
PA
His comments were made in the context of a wave of explosions hit pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to Hezbollah members, killing at least 37 people – including two children – and wounding about 3,000.
The attacks are widely believed to have been carried out by Israel, although Israeli president Isaac Herzog said he “rejects out of hand any connection” to the operation against Hezbollah.
Lammy said: “We have never lost sight of the end goal: an irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.
“I believe in the right of Israel to be safe and secure. I also believe in the justness of the Palestinian cause.
“It is only once Palestinians and Israelis have the same fundamental rights – sovereignty, security and dignity in their own independent, recognised states – that we can achieve a just and lasting peace for all.
“In recent days, we have seen worrying escalation between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah. This is in nobody’s interest.
“Our message to all parties is clear: we need an immediate ceasefire from both sides so that we can get to a political settlement.
“So that Israelis and Lebanese civilians can return to their homes and live in peace and security.
“And to British nationals still in Lebanon, let me be very clear: for your own safety, leave now.”