Situation in Gaza

As your MP, I want to be clear about where I stand on the devastating crisis unfolding in Gaza and Israel, and what I have been doing in Parliament to push for action.

Like so many of you, I have been horrified by the destruction and loss of life since Hamas’s appalling atrocities on 7 October 2023. I condemn Hamas’s actions unequivocally. At the same time, I believe the Israeli Government’s continuing operations in Gaza and the West Bank violate international law, displacing thousands and killing many civilians. International law must be used to hold those responsible to account.

The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is beyond words. The UN has warned that thousands of infants are at risk without urgent aid. British doctors who volunteered with Medical Aid for Palestinians have shared harrowing accounts of shortages, burns victims without proper treatment, and medical staff themselves coming under fire.

That is why I, alongside all 72 Liberal Democrat MPs, have been urging the Government to:

• Ensure aid gets into Gaza immediately – Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has been pressing for this, backed by direct letters to the Foreign Secretary.

• Recognise Palestine – we co-signed a letter pressing the Government to take this step, as part of a two-state solution.

• Toughen action against Israel’s unlawful policies – including banning UK arms exports to Israel, banning trade with illegal settlements, and considering sanctions on extremist Cabinet members in Israel.

  
  

In Parliament, I have signed 13 Early Day Motions on this issue, most recently EDM1266. You can also read my contribution to the Middle East debate here.

I met with Husam Zomlot, the Palestinians' envoy to the UK, who thanked the Liberal Democrats for our support and urged the Government to adopt more of our policies. I welcomed the Government’s eventual decision to sanction Israeli Ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, which we had long called for.

Looking ahead, I believe the UK’s priorities must be:

• Immediate humanitarian access to Gaza.

• Release of remaining hostages.

• A permanent ceasefire.

• Renewed efforts towards a two-state solution.

  
  

Thank you to the hundreds of people who have already contacted me about this. We must also protect press freedom and international human rights observers; the killing of Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza was a disgraceful attempt to silence independent reporting.

This conflict demands honesty and courage. I will continue to use my voice in Parliament to press for peace, accountability, and an end to the suffering on both sides.