My role as Member of Parliament is to speak on behalf of the people I represent. However, it is important to highlight that there is seldom one single view on any issue, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is no different. The residents who have contacted me have raised a multiplicity of views and concerns about the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas against innocent civilians, the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, and the impact of both on life here in the UK.
In November, Parliament voted on an amendment to the King’s Speech, which called for an immediate ceasefire. I used the debate to outline my own position, but to also voice that I represent a diverse constituency, where residents have been affected by events both in Israel and Gaza, each presenting incredibly distressing issues.
I will continue to state that there was no possible justification or legitimacy for the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas on October 7. The deliberate targeting of innocent civilians, including children and babies, must be utterly condemned. As such, Israel has every right to defend itself against such barbaric actions, as well as the right to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas.
However, the UK has been consistently clear that any response from Israel must be carried out in accordance with International Humanitarian Law and with every precaution taken to minimise civilian casualties. The Israeli Government must ensure that it discriminates sufficiently between terrorists and civilians, and that its campaign targets Hamas leaders and operatives. As a country, we remain committed to the European convention on human rights (ECHR), as well as the wider international laws of war and humanitarian law, and I am encouraged by the Government’s unambiguous commitment to press all parties to ensure that those laws are respected in Israel and Gaza.
I recognise the extensive history of conflict and long-term cycle of violence in the region that has cost many lives on both sides, especially since Hamas took over governance of Gaza in 2006. While I appreciate that calls for a ceasefire are an understandable reaction to the suffering we are witnessing, the refusal of Hamas to countenance a ceasefire, now or on any previous occasion, nullifies the humanitarian purpose of such calls.
An immediate ceasefire is not a permanent solution, and it ignores why Israel is forced to defend itself. Hamas continues to launch rockets into Israel every day and are still holding hostages. If we are to break the long-term cycle of violence, and work to achieve the objective of a two-state solution, we need to ensure that we do not support any action that would undermine that. An unsustainable ceasefire, quickly collapsing into further violence, would only make it harder to build the confidence needed for peace.
Of course, it is imperative that we continue to support the humanitarian efforts for the residents of Gaza, who are themselves victims of Hamas in their own right. I stood with the UK Government in firmly supporting the recent pause in hostilities, which allowed for an increased flow of aid into Gaza and for the release of some of the Israeli hostages, and I understand that diplomatic efforts to agree further pauses are being pushed. Ministers have made it clear that these should not be a one-off, and should act as a confidence-building mechanism for future pauses.
Lastly, for those who have contacted me about arms exports, the UK Government takes its export control responsibilities extremely seriously and operates one of the most robust export control regimes in the world. All export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, based on the most up-to-date information and analysis available.
Licence decisions take account of prevailing circumstances at the time of application and include human rights and international humanitarian law considerations. Export licenses are not issued where to do so would be inconsistent with the consolidated criteria, including where there is a clear risk that the items might be used for a serious violation of international law.
While I have nothing further to add to my position at this time, I am continuing to regularly engage with constituents about these issues.
