😔 Conflict in Gaza

Commons Chamber

🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

The conflict in Gaza has escalated again after Israel resumed airstrikes, resulting in the deaths of over 400 Palestinians, including many women and children, marking the deadliest day since the war began. A ceasefire that had brought hope and allowed for hostage releases and aid delivery broke down, with both sides contributing to the renewed violence. The UK is actively working with international partners to urge a return to ceasefire negotiations, emphasizing diplomacy as the only way to achieve lasting peace. The Foreign Secretary condemned the actions of both Hamas and Israel, calling for the immediate release of all hostages and the lifting of Israel’s blockade on humanitarian aid.

Summary

  • The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Mr David Lammy, expressed deep regret about the breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza, which had previously allowed for hostage release and increased aid.
  • Israel restarted airstrikes in Gaza on March 18, reportedly killing over 400 Palestinians, including many women and children, making it the deadliest single day since the conflict began.
  • A British national was wounded in an attack on a UN compound in Gaza, prompting the UK to call for a transparent investigation into the incident.
  • The UK, alongside France and Germany, strongly opposes Israel’s resumption of hostilities and urges a return to ceasefire negotiations, emphasizing that diplomacy is the only path to security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
  • During the ceasefire, the UK had invested significantly in peace efforts, including £17 million in emergency humanitarian funding, but negotiations have been stalled due to Hamas resisting further hostage releases and Israel blocking aid.
  • The breakdown of the ceasefire has led to catastrophic consequences, with renewed fears among Palestinian civilians and increased difficulty in providing aid and healthcare.
  • The Foreign Secretary condemned Hamas for their actions but also criticized Israel’s blockade on aid, suggesting it may violate international humanitarian law.
  • The UK continues to support a two-state solution and is working with international partners to restore the ceasefire and address governance and reconstruction in Gaza.
  • Opposition members expressed concern over the resumption of hostilities, calling for the release of hostages by Hamas and urging stronger action, including sanctions against Israel for breaches of international law.
  • The session highlighted the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to resume negotiations, release hostages, lift aid restrictions, and protect civilians to prevent further escalation and suffering in Gaza.

Divisiveness

The session exhibits significant disagreement, primarily centered around the conflict in Gaza, the actions of Israel and Hamas, and the appropriate responses by the UK government. The disagreements are expressed through pointed questions and statements from MPs across various parties, challenging the Foreign Secretary’s stance and the government’s policies. The intensity of disagreement is reflected in the diverse and often heated exchanges, though there is still a degree of civility maintained throughout the session.

Examples of disagreements include:

  1. Criticism of Israel’s Actions: Several MPs, including Labour and SNP members, vehemently criticized Israel’s military actions and the blockade of aid, questioning the UK’s stance on international law breaches and calling for stronger actions against Israel. For instance, Imran Hussain and Ellie Chowns pressed the Foreign Secretary on why Israel’s actions are not labeled as breaches of international law, and suggested sanctions.

  2. Pressure on Hamas: Conversely, some MPs, particularly from the Conservative party, emphasized the culpability of Hamas, urging the Foreign Secretary to exert more pressure on them to release hostages. Priti Patel and Bob Blackman highlighted Hamas’s role and criticized the Foreign Secretary for not focusing enough on this aspect.

  3. Policy on Arms Sales and Sanctions: There was significant contention around UK arms sales to Israel and the possibility of sanctions. MPs like Jeremy Corbyn and Warinder Juss called for the immediate cessation of arms licenses and imposition of sanctions, which the Foreign Secretary did not commit to outright, leading to further disagreement.

  4. Recognition of Palestine: Multiple MPs, including Patricia Ferguson and Andy Slaughter, pushed for the recognition of Palestine as a state, a move the Foreign Secretary remained cautious about, leading to disagreement on the approach to achieving a two-state solution.

  5. Diplomatic Efforts: There were contrasting views on the effectiveness of the UK’s diplomatic efforts. While some MPs like Emily Thornberry and Douglas McAllister questioned the impact of the UK’s current strategies, others like Sir Edward Leigh and Sir Desmond Swayne indirectly criticized the lack of influence, suggesting that the UK was merely a spectator.

These points highlight the diverse range of opinions and the significant disagreement within the session, warranting a rating of 4 for disagreement.