Gaza
A United Nations commission of inquiry has said there are reasonable grounds to conclude that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The commission argues that four out of five genocidal acts punishable under article II of the Genocide Convention have been committed. The contents of the report are truly horrifying.
I used my first spoken contribution following the summer recess to speak about the UK’s diplomatic approach to the conflict. President Trump has a defining role to play in securing a lasting ceasefire. It is my view that the UK should make a concerted effort, collectively with our allies, to urge the US to apply the full weight of the leverage it has.
I welcome that the Government has suspended arms licenses for use in Gaza, sanctioned extremist Israeli Ministers, suspended trade negotiations and provided nearly a quarter of a billion pounds of humanitarian support. However, I will continue to hold the Government to account where options to exert further pressure remain on the table.
Along with colleagues, I signed a letter to the Foreign Secretary calling for the imposition of further targeted sanctions, the banning of all trade in goods and services with illegal Israeli settlements, the suspension of the UK-Israel trade agreement, and the end of all arms transfers to Israel. On the question of arms export licenses, the Government must do more to prevent F-35 fighter jet components from being exported to Israel via third countries. I wrote to Minister of the Middle East on this topic, and also asked about our engagement with F-35 programme partner nations.
UN-backed food security experts have said that “the worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in Gaza”. Unhindered access on the ground for the UN and international NGOs is the only way to reverse this catastrophe. Médecins Sans Frontières has referred to the current aid distribution centres as sites of “orchestrated killing”. In June, I asked the Government about the Government’s response to the first reported mass casualty incident.
I strongly oppose any suggestion that Palestinians should be relocated from Gaza. The Israeli Government continue to approve illegal settlement construction, including in the E1 area east of Jerusalem. More than ever, the two-state solution is in grave peril.
I support the Government’s decision to recognise the State of Palestine – a decision grounded in the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination. I welcome that this recognition is not unilateral; the UK is working with France, Canada, Australia, and other countries to maximise the diplomatic pressure this move generates.
Thank you for contacting me regarding the situation in Gaza.
I was proud to stand on a manifesto that committed to recognising Palestinian statehood. Setting out a pathway to recognise the State of Palestine when the UN General Assembly gathers in September is a historic step, and I remain hopeful that this will revive the ceasefire negotiations to stop the horrors that are being inflicted on Palestinians.
I welcome that the Government has suspended arms licenses for use in Gaza, sanctioned extremist Israeli Ministers, suspended trade negotiations and provided nearly a quarter of a billion pounds of humanitarian support.
As I have set out previously, I will support positive steps that the Government takes and continue to hold it to account where options to exert further pressure remain on the table. I was a signature of Richard Burgon MP’s letter to the Foreign Secretary calling for the imposition of further targeted sanctions, the banning of all trade in goods and services with illegal Israeli settlements, the suspension of the UK-Israel trade agreement, and the end of all arms transfers to Israel. On the question of arms export licenses, I have made representations to the Government for it to do more to prevent F-35 fighter jet components from being exported to Israel via third countries.
I am deeply concerned by the assertion of UN-backed food security experts that “the worst- case scenario of famine is currently playing out in Gaza”. The UK, along with other nations, has airdropped food. However, unhindered access on the ground for groups like UNRWA, who have humanitarian expertise and thousands of trucks of aid ready to cross into Gaza, is the only way to reverse this catastrophe.
In July, the Foreign Secretary announced a further £60 million humanitarian aid package, which includes vital funding to treat patients at UK-Med field hospitals in Gaza. I have been part of appeals for medical evacuations and UK treatment of seriously injured and sick children. I recently signed Stella Creasey MP’s letter to the Home Secretary and Foreign
Secretary, calling for the Government to expand medical visas for Gazan children rapidly.
Last year, the International Court of Justice found that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), including East Jerusalem, is unlawful. I am a signatory of Early Day Motion 1266, which calls for a ban on importing goods from Israeli settlements in the OPT.
Thank you again for contacting me. I want to assure you that I will continue to be an active voice on this issue.