“Such reckless disregard for the human rights of a community, whose only crime is living peacefully in the path of an illegal occupying force's expansion plans will not be tolerated” – Keith Taylor MEP

13 September 2018

Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the South East, has welcomed the European Parliament’s vote [1] to condemn the Israeli government’s actions in Khan al-Ahmar, in Area C of the West Bank, whereby forces moved in the early hours of the Thursday morning to demolish a number of buildings in advance of an expected full demolition of the Bedouin village [2].

Khan al-Ahmar has been a consistent target of the Israeli authorities who have made several attempts to demolish it over the years, driven by the government’s expansion of its illegal settlement project in the occupied West Bank [3].

Following the European Parliament vote on a resolution which sees MEPs take a strongly condemn of the plans [4], Mr Taylor, a member of the European Parliament’s Palestine Delegation, said:

“Today MEPs have united to call on the Israeli government to halt its plans to demolish a Bedouin village and displace its peoples, for no reason other than it stands in the way of a settlement programme. Such reckless disregard for the human rights of a community, whose only crime is living peacefully in the path of an illegal occupying force’s expansion plans will not be tolerated.”

The joint resolution passed by the European Parliament follows an intervention made jointly by the EU, and a number of European government including the UK [5]. The statement had called on Israeli authorities not to go ahead with its plan, noting the ‘very serious consequences’ it will have on any prospect for peace in the region.

Mr Taylor, who worked on the Greens/EFA amendments to the European Parliament’s cross-party motion, continued:

“The UK and Israel’s European allies must join the European Parliament by going further in their condemnation of both the action already taken and the proposed full demolition of the Khan al-Ahmar village. It is not controversial to call on the Israeli government to abide by international humanitarian law and protect the inalienable human rights of all people.”

“If the Israeli government pushes ahead with its plans, in full view of the world’s media, it would send a chilling statement about the current administration’s already questionable commitment to peace. In fact, with the Nation State law [6], which codifies apartheid in Israel, and the rapid expansion of the illegal settlement project in the occupied Palestinian territories the two-state solution has never seemed so far away.”

“It is the international community’s responsibility to ensure that any prospect of peace is not allowed to evaporate into conflict. We cannot afford to be timid in discharging our duty.”

Notes:

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Caroline Lucas: Agriculture Bill “could end up accelerating destruction of nature”

12 September 2018

Responding to the Government’s Agriculture Bill, published today, Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas MP said:
“This Agriculture Bill has been injected with warm words about protecting our environment – but its failure to commit to long-term funding and strong enforcement powers means it reads more like a wish-list than a plan of action.

“While it’s good to see an end to subsidies for wealthy landowners and ideas for encouraging farmers to improve our environment, promised payments for ‘improving productivity’ could end up accelerating industrial agriculture’s destruction of nature.

“We need a robust and independent system for determining what farmers are paid for to ensure public money doesn’t reward tokenistic gestures – such as having a wind turbine while continuing to drench fields in pesticides. This new system should be designed to dismantle the industrial agriculture that is destroying nature and wildlife, and encourage smaller-scale, sustainable farms with the highest animal welfare standards.

“With Michael Gove having already backed down on his promise to ban live animal exports, it’s clear we can’t rely on his word.”

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Greens: Gove’s live exports U-turn further proof of Brexiteers “hollow” promises

12 September 2018

Speaking today in reaction to Michael Gove’s decision to back off banning live animal exports, despite Vote Leave’s claims during the referendum [1], Green Party of England and Wales Animal Rights Spokesperson Keith Taylor said:

“Time and again, leading Brexit campaigners like Michael Gove have shown that their promises are hollow. Reneging on the pledge to ban the cruel practice of live exports might not be surprising, but that doesn’t make it acceptable.

“It has become blindingly clear that Gove, Johnson and their Brexiteer colleagues cannot be trusted. Greens will continue fighting alongside campaigners in the UK and across Europe for an immediate end to this barbaric industry.”

[1] https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/tory-michael-gove-looks-like-13231152

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Agriculture Bill “could reverse decline of UK's countryside” – Caroline Lucas

11 September 2018

Ahead of the publication of the Government’s Agriculture Bill, expected tomorrow, Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas MP said:

“This Agriculture Bill is an opportunity for the Government to back up its green veneer with much-needed substance.

“Industrial agriculture has decimated nature and wildlife for decades with toxic pesticides and aggressive farming techniques, while taxpayers have subsidised wealthy landowners and small-scale sustainable farmers have struggled.

“The Government could use this Bill to reverse this decline of the UK’s countryside. It must include a clear commitment to sustaining current levels of funding for farmers and refocusing that support on measures that restore biodiversity, bolster flood protections, improve animal welfare, revitalise soil, and help tackle climate change.”

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Greens launch vision for future off back of leadership elections

7 September 2018

* Greens launch Political Programme setting out vision for future

* Party’s plan for “radical system overhaul” focuses on People’s Vote on Brexit, action on climate change and overhaul of world of work

* Jonathan Bartley: “We are the only party with the bright ideas needed to face the future”

The Green Party has put forward its bold alternative to the “vapid centrism” which has dominated politics in recent decades.

The party today launched its Political Programme [1] as part of its election planning, outlining Green plans for the “radical system overhaul” needed to equip Britain to face the future.

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, criticised centrism for “disillusioning a generation of voters” as he put forward his party’s alternative to “old school, moderate politics”.

The Political Programme includes plans to:

* Return democracy to the British public with a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal

* Tackle climate change with an end to fracking and investment in a renewable revolution

* Overhaul the world of work with a four day week and a Universal Basic Income

The announcement comes three days after it was announced Jonathan Bartley and Sian Berry won the Green leadership race [2]. They will take office on September 15 when Bartley’s current co-leader, Caroline Lucas, will step back after deciding not to re-stand [3].

Bartley and Berry have promised to set the Green Party on path to become Britain’s third political party.

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, said:

“I’m excited to put forward the Green alternative to old school, moderate politics. Vapid centrism has failed the big challenges of our time and disillusioned a generation of voters in the process.

“People deserve politics with passion, and politicians who are brave enough to stand up for what they believe in. That’s why we’re building a fierce Green resistance to fight for what Britain really needs: radical system overhaul.

“From championing a People’s Vote on Brexit to proposing bold policies like a four day working week we are the only party who can be trusted to always put forward the bright ideas needed to face the future.”

Notes:

1. https://www.greenparty.org.uk/assets/images/national-site/political-programme-web.pdf

2. https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2018/09/04/green-party-announces-jonathan-bartley-and-sian-berry-as-new-leaders/

3. https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2018/06/04/caroline-lucas-not-re-standing-for-green-party-leadership/

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