Rt Hon MP
Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Affairs
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
I am writing to you following the sickening terrorist attacks
committed by Hamas against Israel over the weekend. There is no
justification for the murder of innocent men, women and children,
and these truly horrific acts of terrorism have rightly been
condemned across the world.
Israel has a right to defend itself and its people against
terrorism, and to target those responsible. Any response must
however be proportionate, adhere to international law, and take
all steps to avoid the death and suffering of innocent
Palestinians. I am deeply saddened by the loss of innocent life
in Gaza that has already taken place as a result of Israel’s
military response, and I am calling on the UK government to
urgently work with international partners to secure humanitarian
access and support to and from Gaza.
The United Nations estimates Israel's military response in Gaza
has left almost 340,000 people homeless. Food, fuel and medicine
supplies are also being blocked by Israel, in retaliation for the
attacks we saw last weekend. The World Health Organization has
highlighted the damage inflicted on Gaza’s healthcare system
within the first 36 hours of the conflict.
Both the UN and the World Health Organization have now called for
an urgent need to establish humanitarian access and support for
unimpeded, life-saving patient referrals and movement of
humanitarian personnel and essential health supplies.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is already of great concern,
and we must recognise the implications of it deteriorating
further. I urge the British government to join calls for
humanitarian access to and from Gaza, which would allow essential
supplies and humanitarian aid to reach those who desperately need
it.
It is in all interests that we redouble efforts that ultimately
lead us to a secure Israel and a peaceful Palestine – and I
implore the British government to use what power and levers it
has at its disposal to work towards achieving that outcome.
I look forward to your urgent response.
Mayor of London
