MP, Leader of the Labour
Party, responded to the Prime Minister's statement on Israel and
Gaza.
I would like to thank the Prime Minister for advance copy of his
statement. And for the updates the government has provided to the
Labour front bench over the past few days.
Mr Speaker last Saturday, Israel was the victim of terrorism on
an unimaginable scale. The senseless murder of men, women,
children and even babies. The horrors of hostage taking. Music
festivals turned to killing fields. Innocent Jews slaughtered
within their own Kibbutz. An attack with no cause other than
bloodshed.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure that over the last few days every Member
of this House has seen images from this crisis that will never be
unseen. Tiny bodies, wrapped in bundles. In Israel and now in
Gaza. Mothers and fathers grieving. Israeli, Palestinian, Muslim,
Jew. The innocent - dead.
As in any time of grave crisis, it is crucial that this House
speaks with one voice. In condemnation of terror. In support for
Israel in its time of agony and for the dignity of all human
life. Because Mr. Speaker, Hamas do not wish to see peace in the
Middle East, they just want to see Israel wiped off the map.
But Hamas are not the Palestinian people. And the Palestinian
people are not Hamas. So Labour stands with Israel. Britain
stands with Israel. The attack is ongoing, terrorists are at
large hostages are still being held – some of them British
citizens. Israel has the right to bring her people home. To
defend herself, to keep its people safe. And while Hamas has the
capability to carry out attacks on Israeli territory, there can
be no safety.
As Secretary of State Blinken said last week:
“We democracies distinguish ourselves from terrorists by
striving for a different standard even when it is difficult”.
He is right, and as the Prime Minister has said, “there is an
acute humanitarian crisis unfolding.”
Israel’s defence must be conducted in accordance with
international law. Civilians must not be targeted. Innocent lives
must be protected. There must be humanitarian corridors. There
must be humanitarian access, including food, water, electricity
and medicines. So that hospitals can keep people alive and so
that innocent people do not needlessly die and there must be
proper protection for all those who work selflessly so aid can be
delivered to victims.
Mr Speaker, there can be no doubt, the responsibility for this
crisis lies with Hamas. They have no interest in Palestinian
rights. No interest in the security of the people of Gaza. They
unleash terror, then hide amongst them. Women and children – used
as human shields, hostages held who should be released. They are
destroyers – of lives, of hope, of peace. And we cannot give them
what they want. We must keep striving for a two-state solution. A
Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel. We cannot
give up on that hope. Cannot let Hamas brutality be a catalyst
for conflict in the wider region. Engagement between Israel and
Arab nations must be strengthened, not abandoned.
International co-operation, the rule of law, a political road to
peace. Hamas want us to abandon all three. And in defiance, we
must be resolute on all of them.
And Mr Speaker, these attacks are having a huge impact on
communities across the UK. Many in this House will have heard
devastating stories from people who have lost friends and family.
People deeply worried about the future of those they know in
Israel or Palestine. Including the First Minister of Scotland,
who I spoke to at the weekend. We stand with all of them. Stand
against the worrying rise in Islamophobia. Stand against the
antisemitic abuse, threats, and assaults we have seen on British
streets, because Mr. Speaker, we must never underestimate the
burden of history the Jewish people carry with them.
I do not want Britain to be a place where Jewish schools are
closed, Jewish children stay at home out of fear and Jewish
families feel compelled to hide their identity. And I do not want
Britain to be a place where British Muslims feel they have to
apologise for the actions of people who do not act in their name.
We cannot allow community cohesion in our country to be
destroyed. We all bear a responsibility to do all we can to stamp
out hate. And we fully support Police action to provide extra
assistance for our communities.
Mr Speaker, the events of the past week have seen horrors beyond
our imagination. So let’s send a strong message. Westminster is
united, Britain is united, with Israel, against terror, for
international law and the protection of innocent lives
There are difficult days ahead. But our values cannot be
compromised.
Terror cannot win.
