Welsh MPs urged to vote for Gaza ceasefire ahead of Wednesday
vote
Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, , has today
(Monday 19 February) urged all Welsh MPs to vote in favour of a
motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.
The SNP-tabled motion, which has been signed by the three Plaid
Cymru MPs, calls for an “immediate ceasefire”, for “the immediate
release of all hostages taken by Hamas” and an end to the
“collective punishment of the Palestinian people”. It will be
debated and voted upon on Wednesday (21 February).
Liz Saville Roberts urged Welsh MPs to support the SNP’s motion
on Wednesday, criticising the Labour leader for “failing to stand for
humanity” so far. She added that “the people of Palestine must
have the full and consistent protection of all nations that
respect the rule of law”.
A Plaid Cymru motion was supported in the Senedd on 8 November
after the Labour Welsh Government abstained and offered its
backbenchers a free vote. The motion, which condemned the attacks
by Hamas on Israeli civilians, and the Israeli government’s
“indiscriminate attacks on Gaza”, was carried by 24 votes to 19,
with 13 Senedd members abstaining.
Plaid Cymru Westminster leader, said:
“The Israeli government has confirmed it is planning a full-scale
military offensive in Rafah where over 1 million people were
forced to flee for safety. There's nowhere left for them to go.
It would be unconscionable for the House of Commons to refuse to
call for an immediate ceasefire in the face of such a threat.
“That’s why Plaid Cymru are calling on all Welsh MPs to support
the SNP’s ceasefire motion on Wednesday. The right time to call
for a ceasefire was months ago. Now, with the death toll having
risen beyond 28,000, we all have an opportunity to stand for
humanity and for peace.
“The people of Palestine must have the full and consistent
protection of all nations that respect the rule of law. The
motion calls for a ceasefire on both sides and for the immediate
release of all hostages taken by Hamas and an end to the
collective punishment of the Palestinian people. The motion is
clear; the Labour Party’s stance is less so. This is Keir
Starmer’s opportunity to attempt to finally stand up for
humanity.”
Ends.
SNP Opposition Day debate motion, co-signed by Plaid
Cymru
That this House calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and
Israel; notes with shock and distress that the death toll has now
risen beyond 28,000, the vast majority of whom were women and
children; further notes that there are currently 1.5 million
Palestinians sheltering in Rafah, 610,000 of whom are children;
also notes that they have nowhere else to go; condemns any
military assault on what is now the largest refugee camp in the
world; further calls for the immediate release of all hostages
taken by Hamas and an end to the collective punishment of the
Palestinian people; and recognises that the only way to stop the
slaughter of innocent civilians is to press for a ceasefire now.
