Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the Prime Minister
for advance copy of his statement.
The brutal attack in Israel just over two weeks ago was the
darkest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust. Two weeks of
grief for the innocent people who lost brothers, sisters,
children. Two weeks of torture for the families whose loved ones
were taken hostage by Hamas.
There was a small glimmer of light this weekend - the release of
two American hostages, Natalie and Judith Raanan. I met members
of their family last week and I know they will be overcome with
relief. But Hamas still hold hundreds more. Sons, daughters,
mums, dads, still missing. Innocent people who could, if Hamas
willed it, be released immediately. But they remain hostage,
because Hamas want the chaos of war. Hamas want Jews to suffer.
Hamas want the Palestinian people to share in the pain.
Because the Palestinian people are not their cause. Peace is not
their aim. The dignity of human life - Jew or Muslim - means
absolutely nothing to them.
And in the light of their barbarism, Israel has the right to
defend herself. Yes, to get their hostages home but also to
defeat Hamas so nobody need suffer like this again. And that we
might once more see a road to a lasting peace, a Palestinian
state alongside a safe and secure Israel.
And Mr. Speaker, this operation can and must be done within
international law. We democracies know that all human life is
equal. Innocent lives must be protected.
These are the principles that differentiate us from the
terrorists who target Israel.
So there must now be clear humanitarian corridors within Gaza for
those escaping violence. Civilians must not be targeted.
And where Palestinians are forced to flee, they must not be
permanently displaced from their homes. International law is
clear.
It also means basic services including water, electricity, and
the fuel needed for it, cannot be denied. Hamas may not care for
the safety and security of the Palestinian people, but we do. We
cannot and will not close our eyes to their suffering. Gaza is
now a humanitarian emergency. There is not enough food. Clean
water is running out. Hospitals are going without medicine and
electricity. People starving and reduced to drinking contaminated
filth. Babies lying in incubators that could switch off at any
moment.
The deal struck by the United States to get a flow of trucks
through the Rafah crossing is an important first step. 20 on
Saturday. 14 on Sunday. But it’s nowhere near enough.
Gaza is not a small town facing a few shortages, it has
population the size of Greater Manchester. A place, even before
this devastation, where life was a struggle. Gaza needs aid. And
it needs to be rapid, safe, unhindered, and regular.
Countries able to provide support must step up, including the
United Kingdom. I welcome the increased funding for humanitarian
aid that the Prime Minister announced this afternoon. The EU has
promised to treble humanitarian aid. And the US has appointed a
special coordinator for international aid to Gaza.
So, I ask if the Prime Minister commit to the same? Because
Britain must stand ready to ensure aid gets to the right places,
to deploy British experts and medical support teams and to work
with international partners to give UN agencies the resources
they need – for the long-term.
Because Mr Speaker, there is a long-term. Even as we stand by
Israel in her fight against Hamas, our eyes must also look to the
future. A future where Israeli citizens live free from the fear
of terrorist attack. And a future for the Palestinian people,
where they and their children enjoy the freedoms and
opportunities that we take for granted.
For too long we’ve talked about a two-state solution. The dignity
and justice of a Palestinian state, alongside a safe and secure
Israel. Without a serious path — or will — to make it happen. And
for too long, we have allowed welcome progress in improving
relations between Israel and her neighbours, to sit without any
progress on a future for Palestine and its people.
That must change.
We stand with Israel and her right to defend herself against the
terrorists of Hamas. We stand for international law, the
protection of innocent lives, humanitarian support for
Palestinians. And we do so, because we stand for a political path
to a two-state solution. And a better future.
These are dark days. But the light must never go out. We must not
let it. Thank you, Mr Speaker.
