Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran has urged the Government to help
de-escalate the growing unrest between Israel and Palestine in an
Urgent Question in the House of Commons.
Ms Moran made clear that the Government must work with the
international community to halt the violence and avoid the
situation escalating towards war.
Following the Urgent Question,
said:
“Last night, the UN Special Envoy to the Middle East Peace
Process warned that the situation in Israel and Palestine is
“escalating towards a full scale war”.
“It is therefore vital that the UK Government plays our full part
through international diplomatic efforts to call for
de-escalation, now, today. One would hope that that could be
through the Security Council but we also cannot wait for the
United States.
“I have serious concerns regarding the willingness of the UK
Government to follow these steps, concerns which have not been
allayed by the Minister’s response to my Urgent Question.
“The Foreign Secretary’s media statement on the crisis focused
solely on Hamas, making no acknowledgment of the role of the
Israeli government. Neither was there any recognition of the
provocative timing of these attacks, during Ramadan. It is vital
that, along with full de-escalation, international pressure is
put on both the Israeli government and Hamas to abide by their
commitments under international law.
“The UK must do all it can to avoid war. What we need now is the
full force of the international community to say: this has to
stop. And it’s not just the Israeli government that has to stop.
The escalation of the rocket fire towards Israel must cease. We
need people to put down their arms - to stop killing innocent
civilians, and children - and get back to the negotiating table.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
Layla Moran's full question is below:
[Check against delivery]
Layla said: "Ibrahim al-Masri. Eleven. Marwan al-Masri. Six.
Rahaf al-Masri. Ten. And Yazan al-Masri. Aged two.
"These are some of the names of the children killed this week.
Last night, an Israeli child was added to their numbers. My heart
breaks for them.
"Mr Speaker, my heart bleeds for Palestine; for Jerusalem; the
city of my family. for the worshippers attacked by extremists at
the al-Aqsa mosque on the holiest night of Ramadan. And for all
innocent civilians, Israeli and Palestinian.
"We cannot allow this to escalate any further. The Israeli
government, pursuing evictions in Sheikh Jarrah that would be
illegal under international humanitarian law, including the
Fourth Geneva Convention; and the subsequent overly aggressive
actions of the Israeli authorities that injured hundreds; ignited
a tinderbox.
"Hamas then retaliated. And those strikes must be condemned too.
Violence only begets more violence.
"The UN special envoy last night warned that the situation is
“escalating towards a full scale war”. The Minister knows he will
not have said that lightly, and he refers not just to
Israel/Palestine, but the entire region.
"So my questions to the Minister are these: Will the UK back
Security Council resolutions condemning these attacks? We cannot
wait for the US.
"And should that fail will the Minister work with international
partners like the European Union to issue a statement on
de-escalation in the strongest possible terms today?
"What steps is the UK taking to stop the attempted illegal
evictions in Sheikh Jarrah?
"And will the Government commit to supporting a new round of
peace negotiations and new elections in Palestine?
"And finally, if this isn’t the time to recognise the state of
Palestine, then when is?
"Mr Speaker, the United Kingdom has a historic responsibility to
the people of Palestine, and a fundamental obligation to uphold
international law. The two-state solution, promised to the likes
of my family, is as elusive as ever.
"Mr Speaker, now is the time for actions not just words. I urge
the Government to do the right thing."