Israel was accused at the weekend of using the war with Isis as an excuse to delay resolving issues of statehood with Palestinians.

The Palestinian People's Party's Hana Amireh told Communist Party congress on Saturday: "Israel is using the turbulence to justify its original policy."

The guest international speaker pointed out that US Secretary of State John Kerry had said the war on terror could go on for 40 years and asked if that meant there would be no resolution of the Palestinian situation for the same period of time.

But Mr Amireh was pleased at the increasing number of countries choosing to recognise the Palestinian state - including Britain's recent vote.

He called for Israel to be brought before the international court for war crimes after its recent bombing of Gaza.

The Palestinian situation figured prominently in debate on the international resolution for international unity against international aggression.

CP international secretary John Foster called for party members to mobilise in their branches and unions on the Palestinian issue.

He also backed a two-state solution and supported Mr Amireh's call for Israel to be prosecuted for war crimes.

Congress passed a resolution recognising "the historic responsibility of Britain to the people of Palestine" and reaffirming its commitment to the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign, including of sporting and cultural activities, as part of a bid to push the demand for a negotiated settlement.