Ian Sollom MP calls for immediate recognition of Palestine
Like so many of you, I’m utterly appalled to see what is unfolding in Gaza.
The Netanyahu Government’s aid blockade and its military action in Gaza, are abhorrent, unacceptable and a clear breach of international law.
As the humanitarian crisis has deepened, my Liberal Democrat colleagues and I have been calling on the British Government to apply genuine pressure to Netanyahu’s Cabinet.
- We were the first to call for the sanctioning of extremist Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich;
- Ed Davey recently wrote to Keir Starmer calling for the recognition of the state of Palestine – a letter signed by all 72 Liberal Democrat MPs;
- I also signed the cross-party letter to Keir Starmer – coordinated by Sarah Champion MP, chair of the International Development Select Committee – from over 250 MPs, calling for the recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state.
The Prime Minister has now made a step towards this recognition, but it must happen immediately and not be used as a bargaining tool with Israel.
We are calling on the Government to take far greater action to address the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, as well as fully ceasing arms sales and imposing sanctions on the Israeli cabinet – including Netanyahu himself.
The attacks by Hamas on the 7th October were horrific acts of terrorism and we continue to call for the unconditional release of all the remaining hostages.
Only a sustained political and diplomatic solution will resolve this conflict and bring a cessation of violence now that will stop the killing of thousands of innocent civilians, putting us on the path to a two-state solution and a lasting peace.