, Member of Parliament for
Leicester East, has spoken out against Israel’s decision to
deprive Palestinians in Gaza of fundamental necessities for life
– and calls in agreement with UN Secretary General António
Guterres for de-escalation and humanitarian relief.
has called for a
ceasefire, the urgent de-escalation of violence in Gaza and for
the immediate establishment of a humanitarian corridor to allow
essential supplies into and refugees out of the war zone.
While the UK government and official opposition have backed
Israel’s ‘right’ to cut off food, water and medical supplies to
Gaza, collective punishment is a war crime against Gaza’s 2.3
million civilians under international law. The one-sided response
of the UK government has also been seen in Home Secretary Suella
Braverman’s decision to order police forces to treat displays of
the Palestinian flag as a potentially criminal act. The
government has also pledged military support for Israel against
Gaza, a region in which children represent half of the
population.
This stance has been mirrored by the decision of this week to tell LBC that
Israel has a ‘right’ to impose the cut-off on Gaza, a position
also supported by Shadow Attorney General on BBC Newsnight.
also called for urgent
assistance from the UK government for Leicester East residents
visiting Gaza and now trapped.
said:
“I stand against violence toward civilians in all circumstances,
but it is clear that the Israeli government’s decision to deprive
approximately 2.3 million Gaza, Palestine civilians of water,
food, energy and medicines is illegal under international law. I
am calling for an immediate end to this illegal action, I am
demanding a ceasefire and urgent humanitarian relief for the
people of Gaza.
“Palestine has suffered an unjust and unlawful occupation since
1948, with Israeli forces acting with impunity.
“Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu told the civilians of Gaza to
leave the area before the latest Israeli bombing campaign,
dropping over 6,000 bombs, obliterating entire neighbourhoods.
But, the cold reality is that most are unable to leave what has
been described as the world’s largest open-air prison even if
they want to and are now suffering horrific and indiscriminate
violence that has even killed doctors and United Nations
personnel. Astonishingly, rather than call and work for both
sides to end violence, the UK government is sending ships and
spyplanes to the area to support Israel against a region where
half the inhabitants are children.
“In one day, I have received over 600 correspondence and contacts
from constituents, horrified by the violence and pleading with me
to challenge the international community to act to protect
civilians and end the mass deprivation.
“Many of my constituents are also suffering a considerable
psychological and emotional impact from this war, yet worry they
may be criminalised for any show of solidarity with Gazans after
the Home Secretary’s latest authoritarian and discriminatory
instruction to chief constables to treat even carrying a
Palestinian flag as a potential crime. Those who have family
visiting Gaza are also deeply worried about the wellbeing of
their loved ones and need to know what the British government is
doing to ensure their safety and ability to leave the area of
horrific violence.
“Keir Starmer has added to their pain and confusion by backing
Israel’s ‘right’ to cut off Gaza’s water, food, power and medical
supplies and impose a ‘siege’. Such collective punishment is a
clear breach of international law.
“Israel’s latest demand that 1.2 million civilians in Northern
Gaza relocate to the South within 24 hours, with no guarantees of
safety or return, would in my view amount to forcible transfer,
which is a war crime. Gaza citizens and hospitals have no means
to safely relocate.
“Israel has no right to force thousands of civilians out of their
homeland, to indiscriminately bomb, kill and wound them, starve
them, cut off medical supplies and close their hospitals.
“Palestinians recognise this as a new Nakba with Palestinians
once again being forced to flee their homelands without it being
clear if and when they can return.
“The people of Israel and Palestine need peace built on justice
and this will not be achieved by unequivocally backing the
powerful against the powerless. The UK government and
international community must demand an immediate ceasefire,
release of captives on both sides and urgent talks to achieve a
just and sustainable peace.”
