Thank you to everyone who has contacted me concerning the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

The war in Gaza must end now, with an immediate ceasefire. Hamas must release the hostages, and we must see vital aid flow unimpeded into Gaza.

Israel’s campaign has led to intolerable death and destruction, with more than 33,000 Palestinians killed and more than a million facing the imminent prospect of famine. Many aid workers have lost their lives as a result of the Israeli offensive.

Words are not enough to protect those at risk of losing their lives. The UK Government must use every ounce of diplomatic leverage it has to create the conditions needed for an immediate ceasefire. The UK Government must unequivocally commit to complying with international law in this conflict, including following the licencing criteria governing arms sales and publishing the legal advice given to the Government on these arms sales, and it must call on Israel to implement the provisional measures in full in the ICJ’s binding January ruling – you can see a summary of this ruling here. (https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/t_MBCgZmgtAJWPn2iNVyVV?domain=reuters.com)

We also must see from the Government a commitment to the restoration of funding to UNWRA and more support for the ICC’s investigation in the Occupied Territories. Labour opposes any illegal settlements in the West Bank and have called for sanctions against those responsible for settler violence.

Despite the horrors of the last 7 months, we must look forward to how we can create a just and lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. We must see Gaza run by a reformed and strengthened Palestinian Authority.

Labour supports a two-state solution, where both Israelis and Palestinians can have security, justice, freedom and opportunity in their own lands. This must include working with international partners to recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to rather than outcome of that process, because statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and not in the gift of any neighbour.

Thank you again to all those who have continued to contact me on this critical and heartbreaking conflict. While I have made this clear in previous statements on this issue, I would like to say again that I am proud to represent a community which has shown such dedication to pushing for a sustainable peace and which has shown respect to the Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian communities in Lewisham Deptford throughout this harrowing conflict.