The Green Party has urged the government to launch an urgent
international peace effort to end the Israel Gaza war.
Green Party co-leader said:
“The horrific loss of Israeli civilian lives on October 7 has
been compounded by months of devastation for the people of Gaza
and the Occupied West Bank, leading to over
23,000 deaths and the escalating risk of wars spreading
through the region.
“Now is the time to search for new peace initiatives that can
break this cycle of pain and create the conditions for a lasting
peace in the region.
“We need the UK government to work to restore trust in the
international institutions designed to protect people and that
offer peaceful, legal and diplomatic avenues to end
conflicts.
“Of course, it is for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to
agree the long-term solutions that will offer each security and
peace.
“However, the UK government can do much more now to encourage
that process to begin. That is why the Green Party is today
urging the UK government to:
-
Unequivocally back an immediate ceasefire to allow the
free flow of humanitarian aid, free the hostages and create
space for dialogue
-
Support the UN General Assembly in its overwhelming backing
for a ceasefire and use its position as a permanent
member of the UN Security Council to vote for rather than
abstain on ceasefire votes
-
Support the role of the International Criminal Court in its
investigation of war crimes, including the use of sexual
violence by Hamas and disproportionate use of force by the
Israeli government
-
Support South Africa in its decision to ask the International
Court of Justice to rule on whether Israel is carrying
out genocide in Gaza.
-
Help reduce military action by suspending arms sales to
Israel
“By supporting international institutions and encouraging
peaceful solutions, the UK government can act as a partner
for peace rather than a proponent for further pain and
suffering for the people of the region.
“It will take courage and determination to change course and
recognise that UK foreign policy is failing to bring this
conflict to an end, but a change of course now, can help
chart a new path to peace.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
-
Unequivocally back an immediate ceasefire to allow the free
flow of humanitarian aid, free the hostages and create space
for dialogue
Hostages should be released unconditionally, and aid should
be able to reach those in need, even without a ceasefire.
However, a ceasefire would undoubtedly assist both
to happen and would create space for a peaceful, diplomatic
dialogue about the future to begin.
-
Support the UN General Assembly in its overwhelming backing
for a ceasefire and use its position as a permanent member of
the UN Security Council to vote for rather than abstain on
ceasefire votes
The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for a ceasefire in
mid-December, with the US voting against and the UK abstaining
(153 in favour, 10 against, 23 abstained).
All permanent members of the UN Security Council - bar the US and
the UK - have backed a ceasefire. The US used has used its veto
to block the resolution, while the UK has abstained.
-
Support the role of the International Criminal Court in its
investigation of war crimes, including the use of sexual
violence by Hamas and disproportionate use of force by the
Israeli government
In March 2021, the International Criminal Court's chief
prosecutor opened a formal investigation into alleged war crimes
in the Palestinian territories. Fatou Bensouda said the probe
would cover events in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, East
Jerusalem and Gaza Strip since June 2014.
Following the October 7 atrocities, ICC Prosecutor Karim A. A.
Khan KC visited Israel and Palestine. He said: “My visit to
Israel was conducted at the request of family members and friends
of Israeli citizens who were either killed or taken hostage by
Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups on 7 October 2023. We
must show that the law is there, on the front lines, and that it
is capable of protecting all”.
-
Support South Africa in its decision to ask the International
Court of Justice to rule on whether Israeli is carrying out
genocide in Gaza.
On December 29, South Africa filed an application instituting
proceedings against Israel concerning alleged violations by
Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention
and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
-
Help reduce military action by suspending arms sales to
Israel
In December, Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq and the
UK-based Global Legal Action Network applied for a judicial
review of the government’s export licences for the sale of
British weapons capable of being used in Israel’s action in Gaza.
In recent years, sales have included components for military
radars and targeting equipment, components for military support,
combat aircraft, naval vessels and more.
