Thank you to everyone who has written to me regarding the grave situation in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. Understandably many residents have strongly held views as the world watches horrific scenes play out day after day.
Due to the volume and wide range of correspondence I have received, I have written this statement to ensure that local residents know my views. In order for this statement to be as comprehensive and clear as possible, I will address five important issues. These are:
- International Law and the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
- UK Arms Exports to Israel as well as general trade
- Getting aid into Gaza
- The pursuit of a two-state solution
- The Palestinian Visa Scheme
Please note that this is my view as of Wednesday 29th May 2024. However, as time goes on and events unfold these views can and will change. I will then look to issue more updates if I am returned to Parliament after the General Election.
International Law and the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
I want to see an immediate ceasefire in Gaza from both sides to prevent any further civilian deaths. Additionally, all the hostages must be released. It is also harrowing to hear that more than 35,000 people have died in Gaza. The UN Security Council has passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza this and it needs to be implemented now.
All violence against civilians must stop and this includes strikes at refugee camps. As a result, an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah would be a humanitarian disaster, a strategic mistake, and a moral catastrophe. Many civilians are sheltering in Rafah with nowhere safe to go.
I was deeply disturbed by the scenes in Rafah where Israeli air strikes have killed so many civilians in “safe zones” in Rafah. It is an outrage that women and children who have fled seeking shelter have been killed. This must stop and it must never happen again. Last week the International Court of Justice made a ruling for Israel to immediately halt its offensive in Rafah in southern Gaza. Israel must listen to this ruling.
This is a moment for the UK Government to stand up and use its relationship with the Israeli Government to prevent future bloodshed and misery. International law is clear. Forced displacement of civilian populations must not happen. Ultimately, there has to be accountability for how this war is being conducted.
It is vital that international law is upheld, along with the respect for the independence of international courts. This is because the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a cornerstone of the international law and we must respect the rule of law. Therefore, my position is that the ICC chief prosecutor’s decision to apply for arrest warrants is an independent matter.
Please be assured I will continue to call for an immediate ceasefire that is respected by all sides and for international law to be upheld.
Additionally, I will continue to condemn violence, extremism and extremist rhetoric by Israeli settlers and call on the Israeli Government to act to prevent these and ensure accountability for perpetrators. Israel has obligations as the occupying power under international law.
Arm Sales
There have been numerous allegations of serious breaches of humanitarian law by Israeli forces in the conduct of this campaign. However, the UK has stated that it will not be withholding arms sales to Israel. It is vital the Government publishes the legal advice it has received on this issue. If there is a clear risk that UK arms might be used in a serious breach of international humanitarian law, then I am clear that the sale of those arms must be suspended.
On trade with Israel more generally, the Government must ensure that British companies have an obligation to ensure their products and services are not used in grave breaches of international law.
With regards to the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill. The aim of the Bill was to stop public bodies from adopting their own approach to foreign and trade policy – using such means as individual boycotts, divestment and sanctions – based on their own moral or political disapproval of a foreign authority. I was concerned how Clause 4 of the Bill would provide the Secretary of State with unprecedented powers of enforcement. Indeed, the cross-party House of Lords Constitution Committee has said it would unduly limit freedom of speech and has suggested Parliament consider its removal from the Bill. I have noted that it did not pass when Parliament prorogued ahead of the General Election. Going forward I will keep a very close on developments regarding trade with Israel.
Getting aid into Gaza
I know there have been very serious reports coming from Gaza, including from the World Health Organisation, about the severe conditions for hospitals, staff, patients and civilians. I pay tribute to the dedication and courage of the medical staff in Gaza who have been working in intolerable conditions.
The humanitarian agonies in Palestine are now extreme. People are starving and drinking dirty water, and there are reports of amputations being carried out without anaesthetic. More aid has to get to Palestinians now, and there should be a steady stream coming from the UK.
At the same time aid workers must be protected. I was horrified to hear of the death of British nationals – among others from World Central Kitchen – in an Israeli strike on Gaza. Those responsible must be held to account. Their deaths are outrageous and unacceptable. It serves as another reminder of why an immediate ceasefire, respected by both sides, is desperately needed.
Following serious allegations against 12 the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) employees of involvement in the 7 October Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel, the UK Government, alongside several other countries, suspended funding for UNRWA. The UN also suspended these workers.
Following an independent review into UNRWA a final report stated that the UNRWA has a robust framework regarding neutrality and made a number of recommendations. The UN Secretary General accepted its recommendations and UNRWA will implement an action plan on these recommendations. This report makes it clear that donors can have confidence in this organisation and the Government must consider restoring its funding in full.
Nevertheless, the Government has stated that it will not fund URWA funding until an ongoing investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight into whether UNRWA workers colluded with Hamas is completed. It is disappointing that, whilst other allies have restored URWA funding, the Government continues to delay its decision.
The pursuit of a two-state solution
I have had many letters calling for the recognition of the Palestinian state. Additionally, I have noted that Spain, Norway and Ireland have recently recognised the state of Palestine. The UK has long-recognised Israel as a state but has yet to do so for Palestine. The Government’s long-standing position is that it will recognise a Palestinian state at a time that best serves the peace process. However, for so long there has been no meaningful peace process. Now is the time for the international community to act and ensure that this conflict does not put the peace process back even further than it already is.
The reality is that neither the long-term security of Israel nor long-term justice for Palestine can be delivered by bombs and bullets. We must seek a path to a political process that leads to two states: a secure Israel and an independent Palestine. It is the only way to resolve this conflict once and for all.
Palestinian Visa Scheme
I am aware of calls for the creation of a new visa scheme for Palestinians in Gaza who wish to join family members in the UK. Concerns have been raised over the need to provide biometric information for existing visa routes due to the difficulty in accessing safe evacuation to reach visa application centres. The Government initially responded to these concerns by stating that it had no plans to authorise entry clearance without biometrics for civilians in Gaza.
On 4 April, the Upper Tribunal found that the Home Office’s refusal to consider several applications for existing visa routes from families in Gaza without biometric data was unreasonable. The Government acknowledged this ruling and confirmed that it is considering the impact. It has, however, reiterated that it does not intend to create a bespoke visa route for Palestinians. When there was a debate on this issue my Labour colleagues pushed the Government on how specific issues to allow refugees to leave Gaza. This includes deferring the biometrics requirements for those who are eligible for family reunion, but cannot physically get out of Gaza, until they can get to a visa application centre in Egypt or another country. Please be assured that I will monitor this situation for developments.
As the humanitarian situation worsens, please be assured that I will monitor this situation. Additionally, if you have any relatives in Gaza who may require my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me via email on Janet@JanetDaby.org
Best wishes,
Janet
