Politicians sign letter urging PM to 'act now' over Gaza
MPs, members of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLAs), Scottish Parliament (MSPs), and Welsh Senedd (MSs) have all urged the prime minister to act now
and put pressure on Israel to bring an end to the Gaza conflict. Sinn Féin, Alliance, the SNP, Plaid Cymru, the Green Party, and People Over Profit are among the organisations involved in the SDLP-led letter. The letter calls for Parliament to be recalled, as well as urgent diplomatic intervention and an end to arms exports to Israel. According to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes "substantive steps to resolve Gaza's appalling situation.
However, the government is under growing international and domestic pressure to move forward.
Call for actions on Israel
France declared last month that it would recognize a Palestinian state in September, joining Ireland, Spain, and Norway, which took the initiative last year. The seven parties' leadership said they are
We note your stated deadline for reassessing the UK's position in September,uNIted in our deep dissatisfaction and resistance to the Israeli government's continuing support for Gaza's activities.
Every day of delay means more children starving, more families are broken up, and more lives are lost. You must act now. The United Kingdom cannot be complicit in prolonging this tragedy.it says. Given the urgency of the crisis, this is much too late.
Today, the SDLP is leading parties in expressing the dread and indignation of the UK Government's inability to speak up to Netanyahu,The letter is signed by SDLP leader Claire Hanna, Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill, Alliance founder Naomi Long, and SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, and People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll.
Hanna said.Our voice may be the only weapon we have,
We are calling for Parliament's immediate recall and an intervention that gives the Israeli Government a strong warning that this will not continue.says the depth of our constituents' pain and highlighting the Prime Minister's and his government's inability to shield the people of Gaza.
without reservationThe letter also calls on the United Kingdom to press for the unimpeded delivery of food, water, and humanitarian assistance to Gaza's people. The letter, which was also signed by the Scottish Greens and Scottish Lib Dems, states that the parties condemn Hamas' actions
wrongon October 7th, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. This sparked a massive Israeli military offensive in Gaza, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians. Hamas, which the United States, UK, Israel, and several other nations have designated as a terrorist group, continued to fire missiles into Israel. Last week, Israel's security cabinet approved plans to take over Gaza City, a move that Starmeras
and thatmore bloodshed
rewards Hamas' monstrous terrorism. It also puts the UK at odds with the United States, which has stated that recognition for Hamas will be given, as Israel has suggested. In the joint letter to Starmer, the UK government is urged towill result. Israel has sluggishly smuggish that the UK recognises a Palestinian state, saying it
We urge you to take action quickly by standing against the man-made famine, the mass killing of children, and the wider assault on human life. The letter continues, "History will tell whether we choose to remain silent or stand on the side of humanity. Israel has denied allegations of genocide.support a ceasefire and meaningful diplomatic action to shield civilians and ensure lasting stability.
