Thank you for writing to me to raise your concerns about the situation in Israel and Gaza.
Gaza is in a humanitarian emergency. Food and water are running out, leaving civilians starving and reduced to drinking contaminated filth. Hospitals are in crisis without medicines, fuel and electricity, leaving babies lying in incubators that could switch off at any moment. Not nearly enough aid or essential utilities is getting in.
Labour have been calling on the UK government to increase the UK’s humanitarian aid to Gaza by an extra £10 million, appoint a UK special coordinator for international aid to Gaza, the immediate deployment of British experts and medical support teams, as well as working with international partners to give UN agencies, such as UNRWA, the long-term resources they need.
We have also called for a coordinated Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) fund appeal with matched government funding to match the funds raised by generous donations from the public. This would help to provide the essential humanitarian aid that Gaza needs and to create a longer-term fund for the reconstruction of Gaza.
This aid needs to be delivered quickly, safely and at scale, that’s why along with our international partners, Labour supports humanitarian pauses to get aid and essential utilities to Palestinian civilians urgently. We have called for pauses in the fighting for these clear and specific humanitarian purposes, and this pause must start immediately. This is also the position shared by the EU and the US and is the only credible approach that has any chance of achieving what we want to see in Gaza - the urgent alleviation of Palestinian suffering, aid distributed quickly, and space to get hostages out.
A ceasefire on the other hand would freeze the conflict in the state it currently lies – this would leave Hamas with the infrastructure and capability to still carry out the sort of attack that occurred on October 7th and leave Hamas emboldened and able to start preparing for future violence.
Israel was the victim of terrorism on an unimaginable scale at the hands of Hamas. Israel has a right to defend itself, keep its people safe and bring the more than 200 hostages still being held captive in Gaza, home. Hamas must release all the hostages now. The international community must continue to apply diplomatic pressure.
Israel’s right to self defence is fundamental but it’s not a blank check. The supply of basic utilities – water, medicine, and energy – cannot be blocked by Israel. Israel’s operation can and must be conducted within international law. Civilians must not be targeted and innocent lives must be protected. There must be humanitarian corridors within Gaza. There must be proper protection for all those who work selflessly so aid can be delivered to victims. Palestinians forced to flee must not be permanently displaced.
Ultimately, we must move to the cessation of fighting as quickly as possible. The long-term security of Israel and justice for Palestine cannot be delivered by bombs and bullets. A political agreement however unlikely or painful is the only way to resolve this conflict once and for all.
For too long, we have talked about a two-state solution and the dignity and justice of a Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel, without serious focus on making it happen. For too long, we have allowed welcome progress in improving relations between Israel and its neighbours to sit without any progress on the future for Palestine and its people. That must change. In the long term there can only be a political solution to this crisis, which is why Labour stands for a political path to a two-state solution.
This will mean engaging with Arab partners working on viable plans for a Palestine free from the terrorism of Hamas. Engaging with Israel to address its security concerns but showing clearly the settlement building is unacceptable, unlawful and has to stop. The Palestinians need to know there is a genuine will and determination from Israel, Arab partners and the West to finally address their plight in deeds as well as words.
Closer to home we must not allow these tragic events to divide our communities at home. The Community Safety Trust, Tell Mama and the police have reported a steep increase in antisemitism and Islamophobia. We denounce hate crime in the strongest terms. We expect to see a robust response to all incidents of hate associated with the conflict. There is no place in Britain for antisemitism or Islamophobia.
Thank you for raising your concerns with me and I will continue to monitor developments.