Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the Prime Minister
for advance copy of his statement and for the regular briefings
on the developing situation in the Middle East.
I also thank the Prime Minister for his warm tribute to your
father, Mr Speaker, Dough Hoyle - a great servant of our party,
respected by all who knew him.
I also join the Prime Minister in offering our solidarity with
the victims of the horrific attack in Sydney and in recognising
the heroism of the three British aid workers killed in Gaza,
while working for World Kitchen.
Turning to the events of this weekend, we support the defensive
action taken by the United Kingdom over the weekend, alongside
our international allies, against the Iranian attacks on Israel,
and we welcome the Prime Minister's call for restraint.
And once again, we salute the professionalism and bravery of our
armed forces. We alsosupport the RAF planes being sent to the
region to bolster Operation Shader. Their efforts are vital for a
safer world.
Mr Speaker, there can be no doubt that the attack perpetrated by
Iranian forces this weekend has left the world a more dangerous
place. It targeted innocent civilians with a clear intent to
destabilise the region, and must be wholly condemned by all.
But Mr Speaker, let us also be clear, a full-scale conflict in
the Middle East is in no-one's interests.
It is a path that can only lead to more bloodshed, more
instability and the unleashing of forces that are beyond the
ability of anyone to control.
Mr Speaker, the combined defensive action was a success. And
because of that, lives were saved.
As result, escalation is not inevitable. In repelling the attack,
Israel showed strength and courage. It must now show the same
strength and courage to deescalate. That has to be the primary
objective.
And Mr Speaker, that is the responsibility of all sides and every
partner. We must be resolute and united in our support for the
collective security of Israel, Jordan and our other partners in
the region.
But tensions remain very high. We must proceed calmly, carefully
and with restraint. Because if diplomacy takes centre stage, and
it must, then we also need to be clear, diplomatic premises
should not be targeted and attacked, that is a point of
principle.
But, as the condemnation from our G7 allies rightly notes, Iran's
response this weekend was “unprecedented”. A further step towards
the destabilisation of the region, and the risk of escalation.
Nobody in this House should be, or is, under any illusion: this
is a regime that sponsors terror across the Middle East and
beyond, that murders and represses its own people, and supports
Putin's war efforts in Ukraine.
So, can the Prime Minister update the House on any new steps he
is taking with our international partners, to pursue sanctions
against the regime?
And can he clarify what steps he is taking to limit the power of
the Revolutionary Guard to glorify terrorism here in the UK?
Mr Speaker, while there is no justification for Iran's actions,
we cannot be naïve to the fact that one of the drivers of tension
in the region is the ongoing war in Gaza.
Six months on from the horrific Hamas terror attack, hostages
remain separated from their families, thousands of innocent
Palestinians have been killed and now more than a million people
face the imminent threat of famine.
So, I urge the Government again to use every ounce of diplomatic
leverage that we have, to make sure aid to Gaza is unimpeded and
drastically scaled up.
Alongside that, we reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire,
for Hamas to release hostages, and for a return to a diplomatic
process that can rekindle the hope of a two-state
solution.
Mr Speaker, it is right that we condemn Iran's action. It is
right we work with others to defend the security of our allies,
and it is right that we seek the end of conflict in Gaza.
But this is a moment for restraint, because escalation will only
lead to further destruction, and for the sake of those still
caught in the horror and violence, that must be avoided.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
