In the past week, hundreds of constituents have contacted me about the invasion of Rafah by the Israeli Defence Forces.
This is an extremely important and concerning issue to me. I have been very clear for a long time now that the invasion of Rafah is wrong and should not be allowed to happen.
More than one million people are sheltering there after being displaced from their homes from across Gaza, and it has been reported that as many as 350,000 people have now been forced to flee from Rafah – with no real safe place to go. International law clearly prohibits the forced displacement of civilian populations. The actions of Israel in Gaza have been inhumane.
As you know, the IDF recently launched its invasion in and around the city of Rafah and are now said to be preparing for a full-scale ground invasion of the city. I think this is completely unacceptable – it will only result in further mass civilian deaths and exacerbate the desperate hunger crisis.
I have said repeatedly for many months that I support an immediate ceasefire on both sides in Gaza and have voted for one on every occasion in Parliament. This is the only way that we can ensure the protection of civilians, ensure the release of all hostages, and allow for the unimpeded increase of humanitarian aid into Gaza. I will continue to push for this.
I believe the UK must use all its power and influence to prevent the humanitarian disaster that is the full-scale invasion of Rafah. To that end, I have personally already called for the halt of weapons 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 - and signed Zarah Sultana MP’s letter calling for an end to the supply of arms:
https://twitter.com/DawnButlerBrent/status/1773315695855460616
To summarise, I am clear that we must urgently stop the killing of innocent civilians on both sides and the looming ground assault on Rafah would be catastrophic and cannot be allowed.
If you would like to read my views in further detail, including dating back to the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, you can find my full statement here: https://www.dawnbutler.org.uk/dawn_butler_mp_s_israel_gaza_statement_at_palestine_lobby_day