PACKED Palestine solidarity fringe meetings at the Labour conference in Liverpool heard calls for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of civilian life after the events of the weekend — but speakers stressed that no end to the conflict is possible without ending Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.

Hayes & Harlington MP John McDonnell told a sombre audience at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) meeting today that “the key factor now must be the protection of civilians. I’m so fearful, so worried that what’s happening in Gaza now will be almost an annihilation.”

He said as a parent his heart went out to all those who had lost loved ones in the last few days, Israeli and Palestinian. Only the Israeli dead were mentioned at a minute’s silence held at the conference on Monday.