Like many people in the constituency, I am horrified by the appalling, unrelenting scenes in Gaza, including starvation, desperation, and the ongoing suffering of children and babies. As a Member of Parliament, the Minister for Children and Families, and a mother, these images are hard to see. Children across the world deserve the peace and security which we are working hard to achieve here in the UK.
This Government’s overwhelming concern is for the hostages and the vulnerable people of Gaza. The Prime Minister has again demanded an immediate ceasefire, for UN aid to be allowed into Gaza on a continuing basis, and for the immediate release of the hostages. That’s why the Government is taking immediate steps to drop humanitarian aid into Gaza with Jordan and strongly pressing for UN deliveries of aid to resume. But we must absolutely do more to address this worsening crisis. I recognise that the images we see in the media are most disturbing.
On Tuesday 29 July the Prime Minister set the UK on a pathway to recognising the state of Palestine in September, before the United Nations General Assembly, unless the Israeli Government takes steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza. The Prime Minister’s conditions include agreeing to a ceasefire, allowing UN aid to flow without delay, and making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank.
Hamas – the terrorist organisation responsible for the unfathomable atrocity on October 7th– must never be rewarded. It must immediately release all the hostages, sign up to an immediate ceasefire, lay down its arms, and accept that it will play no part in the government of Gaza. These demands are absolute, and there can be no resolution to this conflict or security for the people in the region until they are met. The Government will make an assessment on how far the parties have met these steps before making a final decision.
I am pleased to see the Prime Minister make this important commitment. The Labour Manifesto last year stated that Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. This is not in the gift of any neighbour, and is essential to the long-term security of Israel, and is part of a wider plan for peace aimed at ending the suffering in Gaza and re-establishing a pathway to a two-state solution.
We will work with our closest allies to develop a credible plan for peace. This Labour Government is committed to a renewed peace process and the two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
The Prime Minister has been clear that no one side will have a veto on recognition of a Palestinian state, and also that recognition by itself will not change the disastrous situation on the ground.
Our Plan for Peace is an ambitious one. It builds on the concrete actions this Labour government has taken since we came to office – from suspending arms licenses, sanctioning far-right Israeli ministers and suspending trade negotiations, to our nearly a quarter of a billion pounds of humanitarian support, our support for hostage families and our landmark agreement with the Palestinian Authority. We will keep acting until we reach the goal of peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians.
Thank you to those who have contacted me on this important issue.
