“Wales has a long and proud history of internationalism: of standing in solidarity with communities around the world, to build a better world.”
The two candidates fighting to be the next leader of Welsh Labour and First Minister are facing calls to put a ceasefire in Gaza at the top of their international agenda.
Cardiff Stop the War, supported by Cardiff Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stand up 4 Palestine and BLM Cardiff have sent a 9 point document to the First Ministerial candidates in Wales ahead of the imminent voting process within the Labour party in Wales, urging them to pledge to take immediate action on the escalating terror that is being inflicted on Palestinians by Israel and its backers in the West.
“We ask our next First Minister to endorse our 9 pledges to make Wales a powerful voice on the world stage for justice and peace,” said Adam Johannes from Cardiff Stop the War said:
“Wales must support the right of Palestinians to live free from military occupation and siege, unequal citizenship and racist laws, and refugee camps and exile.”
“We will mobilise our communities to press both candidates to stand for internationalism, peace, solidarity, and human rights.”
The 9 pledges range from asking the Welsh Government to join the majority of countries in demanding an immediate ceasefire; ditching Israeli-linked arms manufacturing in favour of green jobs and a nation-to-nation twinning of Wales and Palestine to bring together people and cultural institutions from both nations.
Qasim Falasteen, from Stand up 4 Palestine, a group that has been central to organising weekly ceasefire protests across south Wales involving thousands, said that people were looking to the new First Minster for leadership.
“The wider public have hope that the future First Minister of Wales shares our concerns about one of the most pressing human rights issues of our generation and stands with us in seeking justice for the oppressed people of Palestine,” they said.
“The Senedd should do more, and call for international law to be applicable to all and for a permanent ceasefire to be secured. Furthermore, the Welsh Government should do what is necessary to facilitate unrestricted humanitarian aid to those in desperate need in Gaza.”
On 26th January, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza, after the western-backed state killed over 26,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including over 11,000 children, since October 7th.
117 journalists and 152 UN staff have also been killed, while 1.9 million Palestinians are now displaced with desperately limited access to food, medicines and clean water. But Israel is now expanding its deadly offensive into the south of Gaza, a designated safe zone, killing dozens including a 8 year old boy as it bombed civilian homes over the weekend.
On Monday, news emerged of 30 Palestinian killed in Israeli air attacks on “safe homes” and a mosque in central Gaza.
“The Welsh public should get a First Minister that is passionate about peace and justice for all, who will represent the views of the wider public,” said Qasim. “Now, more than ever, we need a First Minister that will challenge the British Establishment who, whether consciously or subconsciously, continue to prop up the Israeli Apartheid regime.”
Clive Haswell, Chair of Cardiff Palestine Solidarity Campaign, who are also making the calls on the next First Minister, said:
“The Welsh First Minister must reflect the popular opinion in Wales in supporting full Palestinian democratic rights. Until such time as Israel is prepared to follow international law and grant such rights, all military, economic and diplomatic support should be withheld. Wales, through its First Minister, can play an important part in achieving this.”
Nelly Adam( Queen Niche), a consultant and activist who has been a regular speaker at pro-Palestine protests in Cardiff, said.
“Wales claims to be a Nation of Sanctuary. The Welsh Government launched the Anti Racism Action Plan to enforce it by 2030. Wales took a stand for the people of Ukraine, so has shown the ability to act towards crisis. So, in the face of Genocide, with racism increasing faster than before, the people of Wales call on the Wesh Government to stand for its preached values.”
“Regardless of being a devolved Nation- it’s about time they stood its ground and said ‘Not in my name’. There is no place for silence within power. The Welsh Government must call for a permanent ceasefire immediately.”
