Galloway says people elected him for solidarity with Gaza: Exclusive

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
2 Mar 2024 03:25
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In an interview with Al Mayadeen, the newly-elected MP confirms that over two-thirds of the people in the United Kingdom hold a pro-Palestinian stance, unlike the British government.

George Galloway in Gaza at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, southern Gaza Strip, on January 6, 2010. (AP)

In an interview with Al Mayadeen on Friday, newly-elected MP George Galloway affirmed that over two-thirds of the population in the United Kingdom stand in solidarity with Palestine.

Following the release of today's election results, in which he secured a seat in the House of Commons, Galloway reiterated his unwavering support for the Palestinian people, emphasizing that he has stood by them for 47 years. He further asserted, "I opposed the atrocities in Gaza, unlike the other candidates who sided with Israel. The electorate's response in the elections reflects this."

Galloway stressed to Al Mayadeen that "the British public opposes genocide, unlike the British government." He suggested that the Labour Party should learn from the election results and alter its course of action accordingly.

He explained that the leaders of the British Labor Party gave "Israel" unlimited support and they refused to accept the outcome of his election, noting that "I did not only win the votes of Muslims but also the votes of many white British citizens."

Galloway further stressed, "Both I and the people of the United Kingdom have a duty to stand in solidarity with the victims affected by our nation's imperialist policies."

He praised the solidarity of Latin American countries with Palestine, highlighting them as "exemplary," and emphasized that there is a widespread global movement condemning acts of genocide.

Galloway also highlighted that "support for Palestine in Europe is currently at its peak, but governments are aligning with US policies, so our expectations for substantial change are limited."

Galloway secures 12,335 votes - 39.7%

Former Labour MP George Galloway secured the position of lawmaker for the English town of Rochdale on Friday.

He secured an impressive victory with 12,335 votes - 39.7% of the total - surpassing predictions and establishing a significant 5,697-vote majority.

Galloway surpassed the second-placed independent candidate David Tully, while the former Labour candidate, Azhar Ali, came in fourth after losing support from the opposition party over accusations against "Israel".

"[Labout Party leader] Keir Starmer, this is for Gaza," he said in his victory speech. During his campaign, Galloway criticized both Labour and the Conservatives for their support of the Israeli occupation entity in its war on Gaza.

"You will pay a high price for the role that you have played in enabling, encouraging, and covering for the catastrophe presently going on in occupied Gaza, in the Gaza Strip."

This marks Galloway's seventh parliamentary win and poses a challenge to Labour, a party he was once part of but was expelled for criticizing then-Prime Minister Tony Blair over the Iraq war.