The Attorney General KC MP has returned from a
visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories between
14 and 16 February 2024.
The Attorney saw first-hand the horrors of Hamas terror attacks
in Israel, and visited the Occupied Palestinian Territories in
the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
In Southern Israel, close to Gaza, the Attorney General visited
Kfar Aza Kibbutz, a site of terror, murder and kidnapping on
October 7th. The Attorney also met with the Israeli Attorney
General, lawyers for the Israeli Defence Force and the President
of the Supreme Court.
She spent the second day in the West Bank, visiting Ramallah and
East Jerusalem, where the Attorney General saw first-hand the
effect of illegal settlement on villages and held meetings with
the Palestinian Attorney General and the Prime Minister.
The Attorney General used her frank meetings to emphasise the
importance of International Humanitarian Law being respected,
civilians protected, and detainees being held in compliance with
the Geneva Convention.
The Attorney General said:
At Kfar Aza Kibbutz, I saw the remains of hideous atrocities
perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th, within sight and sound of
ongoing fighting in Gaza. This is a site of terror, murder and
kidnapping. Hostages from this Kibbutz continue to be held by
Hamas. The suffering and trauma of this community, and many
others across Southern Israel, is immense.
Palestinian civilians in Gaza are facing a devastating and
growing humanitarian crisis. I heard from those working with
communities in Gaza about the serious humanitarian situation and
stressed the UK’s position that more must be done, faster to get
aid to those who need it.
During my visit to the West Bank, I visited a Bedouin village
where villagers are unable to graze their sheep on their land, or
access schools or medical clinics due to a real fear of settler
violence and illegal settlement expansion. The UK has already
sanctioned extremist settlers involved in violence. Israel must
take stronger action to put a stop to it.
At home these events are also causing real pain and anguish. All
parties need to conduct themselves in line with International
Humanitarian Law and minimise the terrible and unnecessary
suffering of Israeli and Palestinian civilians.
