LABOUR’s annual conference faces mass arrests on its opening day, with more than 100 protesters expected to hold signs opposing the banning of Palestine Action outside the venue in Liverpool.

Defend Our Juries campaign group’s warning came as more than 30 motions about Palestine were blocked today from being debated at party conference, which starts on Sunday.

Polling shows that 71 per cent of Labour members oppose the proscription of the direct-action group under the Terrorism Act, and the Trade Union Congress voted unanimously to campaign to reverse the ban at its conference earlier this month.

PM Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to take action to stop Israel’s atrocities in Gaza following his recognition of Palestinian statehood on Sunday.

Today Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union general secretary Fran Heathcote told the Morning Star: “PCS members are united with millions in the UK and around the world in calling for an end to trade with Israel — including all arms sales — and sanctions for Israeli politicians who are leading the genocide in Gaza. 

“It looks increasingly like Labour has recognised Palestinian statehood to avoid recognising genocide. The silencing of its own members through gerrymandering its conference will ensure Labour leaders will be remembered as complicit in Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people.”

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell MP added: “The Labour leadership had sunk itself into a legal and political quagmire over the treatment of Palestine Action. 

“Mass arrests at the start of conference should be shameful. 

“I voted against the proscription of this group and call upon the government to think again and drop this ludicrous course of action.”

Today Labour’s conference arrangements committee upheld its decision to rule more than 30 motions on Palestine passed by Constituency Labour Parties and affiliated organisations out of order.

They included demands on the government to impose comprehensive sanctions on Israel, including a full arms embargo. 

Palestine Solidarity Campaign director Ben Jamal said: “Less than a week after a UN commission of inquiry confirmed that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, it is shocking that Labour officials have decided to block a large influx of motions in solidarity with Palestine from being debated at this year’s party conference. 

“The government needs to stop ignoring the overwhelming evidence as well as growing public outrage at its ongoing failure to take meaningful action to end British complicity with Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people.”  

The number of motions sent to conference demanding the party take more action on Palestine has increased 10-fold since last year, when just three motions were sent to conference, with polling showing 72 per cent of Labour’s 2024 voters backing a full arms embargo on Israel. 

Labour MP for Norwich South Clive Lewis said: “It is beyond belief that the Labour Party is silencing debate on Israel’s genocide in Gaza. This is one of the most shocking moral catastrophes of our age, and it is no surprise our supporters want us to be taking a much firmer position.  

“I call on Keir Starmer to finally acknowledge the genocide for what it is — a genocide — and to take the action that requires of him: starting with an end to all arms sales, an end to military co-operation, and comprehensive sanctions to pressure Israel to ends its violations of international law.” 

A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries said: “Defend Our Juries will bring the ‘Lift The Ban’ campaign to the door of the party that continues to deny genocide and has banned the direct action group that was trying to prevent it.

“The action will pose a dilemma for the Merseyside Police: prioritise human rights and community relations like Police Scotland and other forces around the UK, or trample over fundamental rights to protest and free expression like the Met Police by arresting over 100 peaceful sign-holders under this ridiculous ban.”

The group accused the party of reneging on Jack Straw’s promise that the Terrorism Act he introduced when Home Secretary would never be used against a domestic protest group.

“The government has misled the public and MPs about why Palestine Action was proscribed. Instead of shutting down protest, it’s time the Labour Party took the responsibility to prevent genocide seriously and impose blanket sanctions on Israel including stopping the flow of arms from factories in this country,” it said.

Greater Manchester Police announced today they had charged 12 people under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, for holding signs at a Defend Our Juries protest in St Peter’s Square on July 12.

Labour was contacted for comment.