Latest news with #LabourFriendsofPalestine
Leaders
3 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
60 MPs Urge UK to Immediately Recognize Palestinian State
Approximately 60 British Labour MPs have urged the UK government to immediately recognize the Palestinian state and halt what they labeled as 'ethnic cleansing' in Gaza, according to The Guardian. Rafah Plan A group of centrist and left-wing MPs write a letter this week to the Foreign Secretary David Lammy asking him to act immediately to stop Israel's reported plan to establish a so-called 'humanitarian city' of tents in the ruins of Rafah, in southern Gaza. 'By not recognizing [Palestine] as a state, we undermine our own policy of a two-state solution and set an expectation that the status quo can continue and see the effective erasure and annexation of Palestinian territory,' the letter said. The MPs also described the plan as 'ethnic cleansing' warning that such a move means the forcible transfer of civilians and the erasure of Palestinian presence as well. 'It is with great urgency and concern that we are writing to you regarding the Israeli Defense Minister's announcement on Monday of his plans to forcibly transfer all Palestinian civilians in Gaza to a camp in the ruined city of Rafah without allowing them to leave,' the letter added. Five Measures In this context, the 59 MPs introduced five different measures for the government to stop the Israeli government from carrying out its Rafah plan. Organized by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East group, the letter requests ministers to take five different measures to ensure the following: Recognizing the state of Palestine Supporting the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) Securing the release of hostages Pressing for the full and unhindered resumption of humanitarian aid Fully reviewing and placing restrictions on trade with and financial support of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War in Gaza in 2023, the Israeli strikes have killed more than 57,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 137,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Related Topics: Malta to Recognize Palestinian State in June, Says PM France 'Determined' to Recognize Palestinian State, PM Says OIC Welcomes Slovenia's Decision to Recognize Palestine Short link : Post Views: 6
Saudi Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Labour MPs urge UK to recognize Palestine, warn of ‘ethnic cleansing' in Gaza
LONDON — Nearly 60 British Labour MPs have called on the UK government to immediately recognize the State of Palestine and take urgent action to stop what they described as 'ethnic cleansing' in Gaza, The Guardian reported on Saturday. The letter, coordinated by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, was signed by 59 MPs from across the party's centrist and left-leaning blocs and addressed to Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Thursday. In their message, the MPs condemned Israeli plans to construct what has been labeled a 'humanitarian city' of tents in the devastated southern city of Rafah. They warned that the initiative represents a forced displacement of Palestinian civilians and a deliberate erasure of Palestinian identity. "It is with great urgency and concern that we are writing to you regarding the Israeli defence minister's announcement on Monday of his plans to forcibly transfer all Palestinian civilians in Gaza to a camp in the ruined city of Rafah without allowing them to leave," the MPs wrote. 'This is ethnic cleansing.' The lawmakers urged the government to restore funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), support the release of hostages, and impose a trade ban on goods produced in Israeli settlements located in the occupied West Bank. They also argued that continued refusal to recognize Palestinian statehood undermines the UK's own commitment to a two-state solution. 'By not recognising [Palestine] as a state, we undermine our own policy of a two-state solution and set an expectation that the status quo can continue and see the effective erasure and annexation of Palestinian territory,' the letter said. The UK's newly elected Labour government has not yet made any formal policy change regarding Palestinian statehood. The Gaza war has now entered its 10th month, with mass displacement, the destruction of essential infrastructure, and a collapse of ceasefire negotiations continuing to dominate international concern. — Agencies
The National
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Labour MPs and peers call on UK Government to recognise Palestine
The letter, which has been seen by Politico, has been signed by 69 Labour MPs and six Labour peers and asks Starmer to work with France at a summit to recognise Palestinian statehood. It has reportedly been written by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East chairs Andrew Pakes and Sarah Owen. It tells Starmer to take the 'unique window of opportunity' to join with France at a conference in June to do recognise Palestine, which Emmanuel Macron has hinted he will do. Number 10 has not responded to the letter so far and the Government position is still only to recognise Palestine at a time when it would help the peace process. READ MORE: Yvette Cooper squirms in GMB grilling on Keir Starmer speech But Foreign Secretary David Lammy has already confirmed that the UK is in discussion with France over its upcoming conference and a possible recognition process. Speaking to the Lords international relations select committee earlier this month, Lammy said the UK wanted to take the step when it would have an impact on the ground and not at a symbolic moment, adding that he believed some European countries' recognition of Palestine recently had not had any effect. When reminded that 160 states had now recognised Palestine, including most recently Spain, Norway and Ireland, Lammy said: 'No one has a veto on when the UK recognises that Palestinian state … We have always said that recognition is not an end in of itself and we will prefer recognition as a part of a process to two states. 'President Macron has had a lot to say about that, most recently, alongside the Saudis, and of course we are in discussion with them at this time.' The latest speculation about the recognition of a Palestinian state started when French president Emmanuel Macron (below) returned from a trip to Egypt last month and said France would probably recognise a Palestinian state at the June conference. (Image: LUDOVIC MARIN, POOL/AFP via Getty Images) It would be the first recognition of Palestine by a G7 member state. Macron later clarified that the move would be intended to 'trigger a series of other recognitions … including the recognition of Israel by states that do not currently do so'. Dozens of MPs have also called for Lammy to face Parliament over allegations he 'misled' the public about Labour allowing weapons exports to Israel. The Israeli government has been credibly accused of committing genocide in Gaza by international experts including Amnesty International, and its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is wanted for arrest by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity. READ MORE: Ian Murray's 'Farage is smiling' attack back to haunt him In order to avoid complicity in breaches of international law, Labour suspended 30 of around 350 arms export licences to Israel in September 2024, with Lammy claiming the remaining licences – other than parts for F-35 jets – related to equipment that was 'defensive in nature' and would not be used in Gaza. However, a report published this week, from Palestinian Youth Movement, Progressive International, and Workers for a Free Palestine, has called Lammy's claims into question. The research used Israeli tax authority import data and found that, since September 2024, a total of 8630 items were exported from the UK under the category 'bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles and similar munitions of war and parts thereof – other'. Four shipments were also made after September of 146 items under a customs code identified as 'tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, motorised, whether or not fitted with weapons, and parts of such vehicles'.
