STATEMENT ON ISRAEL AND GAZA
I voted for a ceasefire on both sides at the earliest opportunity in Parliament. When the second opportunity came, I was pleased more MPs were of the same mindset. I remain steadfast in my commitment to vote for and support a ceasefire at every opportunity.
My position has been consistent and remains the same. I voted for a ceasefire because that's the least I can do. Parliament should be one on this. I have also repeatedly spoken in Parliament to push for a ceasefire on both sides, not just a pause.
The horrifying scenes and avoidable loss of life in Gaza are truly appalling. Last month, I was selected for a question at PMQs. I highlighted the continued plight faced by Palestinians and what steps the government is taking. I said the following:
“I watched in horror and condemned the act of 7 October by the terrorist group Hamas. A year later, I watch in horror as 42,000 people are killed in Gaza, 11,000 of them children. People have been burned alive attached to drips, aid workers have been killed and now families are starving. Our right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said that the world will not stand by and see the lack of humanitarian assistance. If the Israeli Government will not listen to our Prime Minister’s words, what tangible, measurable actions will we take as the UK Government?”
To watch my contribution, click here: https://x.com/DawnButlerBrent/status/1849060447401783384
For so many months now, I have called for an immediate negotiated ceasefire on both sides and the release of all hostages. I believe this is the humanitarian position and the only way to protect civilians. I have also called for the rapid and unimpeded humanitarian aid provided to all of Gaza and the protection of aid workers.
I have said repeatedly that Hamas are terrorists and what happened on October 7th was an appalling and barbaric terrorist act, which killed 1,200 people and must be condemned.
The subsequent actions of Israel in Gaza have been brutal and inhumane. At the time of writing, more than 44,500 Palestinians have now been killed in Gaza since this conflict began. The vast majority of them women and children.
I believe allegations of breaches of international humanitarian law should be treated with the utmost seriousness and must always be independently investigated. Assessing specific allegations is the proper task of lawyers and competent international courts.
The ICJ’s interim ruling was profoundly serious. It does not give a verdict on the case but sets out urgent provisional measures that must be followed. I stated at the time that Israel must comply with those orders in full.
Brondesbury Park Synagogue adopted a hostage, Noa Argamani, to get her out and return her home safely. We need to get all of Hamas’ remaining hostages home to safety, and stop the mass killing of children and all civilians in Gaza and get those unlawfully imprisoned out of Israeli jails – these things are not mutually exclusive. All should be able to be achieved. We must urgently stop the killing and suffering of innocent civilians on both sides.
Access to food and clean water remains extremely difficult in Gaza. I fear that if innocent civilians are not killed by IDF bombs, they will starve to death. We are witnessing a man-made famine. A collective punishment of innocent civilians. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to civilians in Gaza - the situation has never been more urgent.
Regarding arms sales to Israel, I signed this EDM in Parliament calling for sales to be halted: https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/61654/arms-to-israel
So I welcomed the news that, on 2 September, the Government said that following a rigorous process in line with the UK’s legal obligations, it had concluded that there is a clear risk that military exports to Israel, where used for military operations in Gaza, might be used in serious violations of IHL. As a result, it has suspended approximately 30 licences for exports to Israel for items which could be used in the current conflict.
Finally, when the history books are written and people look back at these tragic events, I believe they will say, why didn’t those in power do more? I will continue to push for peace and a two-state solution as a solution to peace.
To read my views in further detail, you can do so here: https://www.dawnbutler.org.uk/israel_gaza