1 Comment
SPSC Statement, 25 June 2024
SPSC is concerned but not surprised that the CEO of Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), Melanie Ward, has been parachuted in from London to run as a Labour Party candidate in Fife. We have received queries from angry and confused supporters of Palestinian rights, just a few of those who have been demonstrating against Israel’s genocidal attacks on Palestinians in Gaza over the last nine months. Melanie Ward running for the Labour Party is especially offensive given the strong support that the party and its leader Keir Starmer provide the state of Israel and pro-Israel organisations.
Since October 2023, ordinary people desperately wishing to help Palestinians who are suffering extreme conditions, including lack of medical care and now starvation brought about by Israel’s deliberate targeting of civilians and infrastructure, have raised over £5.5 million for MAP. The humanitarian crisis that Palestinians face is the consequence of Israel’s settler colonial, apartheid and genocidal regime, supported by the UK government. There are no indications that this support will waver under a Labour government led by Starmer.
As we have previously seen, support for MAP is often used as a cover for politicians who refuse to take effective action to challenge the Israeli regime and the UK government’s support for it. It is no different for Melanie Ward. While humanitarian assistance is essential, especially during this genocide, Palestinians ultimately do not seek charity; theirs is a struggle for liberation. Our task is to work together to challenge the root cause of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and, because there are no other effective mechanisms that are holding Israel accountable, this means escalating the campaign to boycott and isolate the state of Israel and to challenge the complicity of our governments, institutions and corporations.
This work also requires funding so we ask supporters, if you haven't already done so, to join SPSC, and donate to our work and initiatives that directly support Palestinians such as the Stop the JNF Plant a Tree in Palestine project.
Note: SPSC supports the call from MAP workers and volunteers for Melanie Ward and chair of the board of trustees to resign immediately. Ward reveals her contempt for the work of MAP, and toward those who fundraise to make that work possible, by assuming she can retain her role as CEO.
