PALESTINIAN campaigners in Wales were celebrating this weekend after 115 Senedd candidates pledged for Palestine — including backing boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel.

Candidates signing the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) Cymru pledge include 46 Green candidates, 37 from Plaid Cymru, eight from the Liberal Democrats, six from Labour and five independents.

PSC Cymru co-chairwoman Bethan Sayed said: “Reaching over 100 pledges is a milestone and is a clear message that Palestine is on the ballot in this Senedd election.

“Wales has always aspired to be a nation that stands on the right side of history, a globally responsible nation that holds human rights and international law at its heart.

“Support for Palestinian rights stretches across every community and every constituency in Wales. Polls show public backing for this issue.

“Voters will be watching closely to see who has the conviction to stand with them.”

The pledge commits elected candidates to uphold the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, stand up to Israel for its crimes of genocide and apartheid — and ensure the Welsh government is not complicit in these crimes.

Prominent Senedd candidates supporting the PSC pledge include Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter, Welsh Labour’s Mike Hedges, Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams, Llyr Gruffydd, Sian Gwenllian and Heledd Fychan.

Of the independents standing for the Senedd, former Labour MP Beth Winter and Rob Griffiths of the Communist Party of Britain have also signed the pledge.

“This is a test of moral leadership and we urge every remaining candidate to sign the pledge before polling day,” Ms Sayed said.