Far from the characterisation here made by people who prefer professedly biased outlets like Novara to primary sources, which would tell you that Labour is avoiding talking about Gaza, Cooper talks about Gaza throughout the speech. Palestine is the very first country she mentioned:
Do you know, fifteen years ago, when I was Labour’s shadow Foreign Secretary, the last world leader I met in that role was President Abbas in East Jerusalem. And fifteen years on, the first world leader I met as Foreign Secretary was President Abbas in London. And the tragedy – we talked about the same things – peace, the need for peace, the need for two states, the need for reform.
Yet not only has so little changed, so much has gone backwards.
Conference, for many decades, the UK has pledged support for a two state solution in the Middle East but only recognised one of those states.
Until now.
Seven days ago, I stood in the Great Chamber of the United Nations in New York, beneath the UN symbol of peace to confirm the historic decision of the United Kingdom to recognise the state of Palestine. Our manifesto promise. Because statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people.
She also repeatedly criticised Israel. For example:
The Israeli government must end the moral obscenity of this campaign that has seen food, water and medicine denied, and an unconscionable loss of human life. Because Palestinian civilians should not have to go another day in fear and hunger.
Now. If I didn’t want people to talk about Israel and Gaza, I would not go about this by getting the Foreign Secretary to mention it prominently and repeatedly in her speech to conference.



But, again, do the people actually concerned, the Israelis and Palestinians, think the government is doing nothing? They do not: Netanyahu thinks we’re appeasing Hamas by recognising Palestine. This is not the reaction of a man who thinks the UK is helping him out. On the other side, Hamas called the same action a ‘victory’ for Palestine.
So, with all due respect, should I listen to people on Novara and Lemmy about whether the UK’s actions matter, or should I listen to Palestinians?