PEACE campaigners in Wales continued frantic efforts today to persuade Labour Senedd members to support a motion calling for a ceasefire in Palestine.

A Plaid Cymru motion seeking an immediate cessation of hostilities was tabled by party leader Rhun ap Iorwereth, with the vote too close to call last night.

Despite the Welsh government and the Senedd not having responsibility for foreign affairs, the Plaid leader said it was important that Wales’s parliament should unite in sending a “clear message for humanity and peace.”

“Our Senedd motion is calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel to end the appalling attacks on innocent civilians,” Mr ap Iorwerth said.

“Plaid Cymru is urging every member in the Senedd to unite behind a ceasefire so that our national parliament sends a clear message for humanity and peace.”

But an amendment, tabled by the Tories and supported by Labour Senedd members Hefin David and Alun Davies, sought to water down the calls for peace to a pause in the assault on the Palestinian territory.

The amendment reflects the position laid down by Sir Keir Starmer and slavishly supported by First Minister Mark Drakeford.

Welsh peace movement activist Adam Johannes said: “Mark Drakeford’s mealy mouthed call for a humanitarian pause is akin to saying to Israel: ‘Stop the killing while we send in some food and then you can start the slaughter again.’

“The First Minister is in danger of being remembered for Middle East slaughter in the way that former prime minister Tony Blair is with his Iraq invasion.”

The Welsh executive of the Communist Party of Britain (CPB) issued a detailed statement urging the Senedd to support the appeals for an immediate ceasefire.

Welsh party secretary David Morgan said: “The Welsh CPB calls on all Senedd members to support the Plaid Cymru motion calling for an immediate ceasefire.

“The decision of Mark Drakeford to align with the Tories and the United States is devastating. 

“History will not be kind to a first minister who styles himself a socialist but continues to support a pause in hostilities and then the resumption of the slaughter of Palestinians.”

Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) groups in Wales were dismayed to learn that the Welsh government plans to abstain in the vote, despite 50 organisations supporting a ceasefire, including the Wales TUC.

Speaking on behalf of the Welsh PSC branches, Kathy Brooks said: “You have the chance to add your voice to the call to stop the bloodshed. We beg you in the name of humanity to stop this slaughter. Mr Drakeford, you are breaking our hearts.”

Ms Brooks also quoted the words of the late South African archbishop Desmond Tutu: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have taken the side of the oppressor.”

Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter said: “Mark Drakeford must join Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf and others in calling for a ceasefire now. 

“History will remember those that chose to look away and the First Minister risks being remembered as being on the wrong side of history at this crucial moment.”

The vote took place after the Morning Star had gone to press.