On 15 December 2023, I wrote to the Foreign Secretary regarding the situation in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.

You can read my letter below.

Dear Foreign Secretary,

The scenes emerging from Gaza each day and the immense scale of human loss and suffering endured by both Palestinians and Israelis is utterly heart-breaking. I mean what I say when I say that there is not a single day goes by where I do not think of what has happened in Israel and in Gaza.

My constituents in Lewisham East – like in communities around the country and across the world – have expressed deep sorrow and grief over the situation in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. Since hostilities began, thousands of my constituents have contacted me to ask that the United Kingdom calls for a ceasefire. It is a sentiment which I sympathise with and, like anyone watching on as thousands of innocent civilians are killed, I wish to see hostilities brought to an end as soon as possible.

Last month’s temporary ceasefire could have been the first step on a path to an enduring ceasefire. However, hostilities have now resumed and the prospect of further pauses is seemingly slim. It is my firm belief that the Government must be working with international partners in pursuit an enduring ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, however it is unclear if this is the case.

I wish to see a ceasefire delivered alongside Hamas’ releases of all hostages and the start of a political peace process which brings about a two-state solution. Currently, I worry too little is being done in pursuit of this.

As Labour is in opposition, only the Government can have an effective say as part of the international community in encouraging the end of this conflict and in taking steps on the political road to peace. Therefore, as Foreign Secretary, I would be grateful for your response to the following questions:

1. Is the Government working to deliver an enduring ceasefire between Israel and Hamas?
2. What discussions has the Government had with the United Kingdom’s allies and partners in the Middle East in pursuit of ensuring the release of all hostages?
3. What is the Government doing to support the two-state solution as part of a political peace process?

Beyond this, there are a number of concerns which have been raised with me by constituents.

1. What is the Government doing to increase the amount of aid distributed by the United Kingdom to Gaza?
2. What is the Government doing to ensure humanitarian assistance – including food, water, fuel, electricity and medicines – makes it way into Gaza?
3. Will the Government call on Israel to end the siege conditions against Gaza?
4. What discussions are British diplomats having with the United Kingdom’s allies and partners regarding settler and military violence in the West Bank?

The violence in Israel and Gaza since 7 October 2023 should never have happened. Yet because of the appalling, barbaric, and evil actions of the terrorist group Hamas, Israel was forced to defend itself. The question now is how do we eventually achieve an enduring end to this conflict? That is why I am writing to you and I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Janet Daby MP