😔 Gaza

Commons Chamber

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Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza has sparked international outrage, with the UK urging Israel to lift restrictions immediately, highlighting potential breaches of international humanitarian law. The UK has committed £17 million to support healthcare, food, and shelter in Gaza, emphasizing the need for sustained aid and commercial deliveries to help rebuild civilian infrastructure. Amidst the ceasefire, the release of hostages, including British nationals, has been welcomed, but concerns remain about the fragile peace and the ongoing need for a two-state solution. Political leaders are pressing for action to ensure aid reaches those in need and to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

Summary

  • The UK government urged Israel to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, stating that aid should not be contingent on a ceasefire or used as a political tool.
  • The situation in Gaza was described as dire, with a halt on goods and supplies risking breaches of Israel’s international humanitarian law obligations.
  • The UK announced an additional £17 million in funding on 28 January to support healthcare, food, shelter, and vital infrastructure in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and neighboring countries.
  • The UK welcomed the ceasefire agreement and the release of 38 hostages in Gaza, emphasizing the need to turn the ceasefire into a lasting political process towards a two-state solution.
  • Concerns were raised about Israel’s recent actions to block aid and cut off electricity and water supplies, which were described as violations of international humanitarian law and the ceasefire agreement.
  • The UK has engaged with regional and international partners to push for a peace deal and ensure aid access, and is working towards reinstating commercial deliveries into Gaza.
  • The government acknowledged the increasing tension and violence in the West Bank, condemning the actions of some Israeli settlers and emphasizing the illegality of settlements under international law.
  • There was a strong call for the UK to take more decisive actions, such as sanctioning Israel for violations of international law and recognizing the Palestinian state to push for peace.
  • The session highlighted the ongoing suffering of civilians on both sides, with a focus on the impact on children, and the need for a sustainable and peaceful future through a two-state solution.

Divisiveness

The session shows a moderate level of disagreement, mainly centered around the actions of the Israeli government regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza and the broader implications of these actions on international law and peace negotiations. Members of Parliament express a unified concern over the blocking of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which they consider a violation of international humanitarian law. However, the disagreements are not intense or confrontational, and most members seem to share a common goal of advocating for the resumption of aid and a peaceful solution.

Examples of disagreement include:

  1. Ellie Chowns (North Herefordshire) (Green) criticizes the Israeli Government for blocking aid, describing it as ‘using starvation as a weapon of war’ and mentions a ‘hell plan’ involving cutting off electricity and water. She questions whether the Minister agrees that this is a violation of the ceasefire and international law.

  2. Catherine West (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State) responds by acknowledging the concerns and stating that such actions risk breaching international humanitarian law, but she does not directly label them as violations at the Dispatch Box, indicating a more cautious stance.

  3. Abtisam Mohamed (Sheffield Central) (Lab) calls the blocking of aid a war crime and a breach of international law, leading to a more forceful question regarding legal implications.

  4. Imran Hussain (Bradford East) (Lab) directly asks for sanctions against Israel for their actions, highlighting a more aggressive approach compared to others who call for diplomatic solutions.

  5. Kit Malthouse (North West Hampshire) (Con) questions the government’s focus, suggesting a perceived imbalance in concern for Israeli hostages versus Palestinians, indicating a disagreement on the balance of attention given to both sides.

  6. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Ind) pushes for stronger action, including ceasing all arms supplies to Israel and using UK bases, illustrating a sharp critique of the government’s current policies.

Despite these disagreements, the general tone of the session remains focused on finding solutions, with a shared concern for humanitarian assistance and peace in the region. The disagreements are more about the methods and intensity of response rather than fundamentally opposing goals.