Parliamentary Question on Arms Sales and RAF Overflights of Gaza

For three months now, Israel has blocked aid from reaching people in utterly dire need in Gaza. UN agencies and charities still operating in Gaza are closing their operations because supplies, including those paid for with UK funding, can’t get through. Israel has now also announced plans to expand its military operations in Gaza on a massive scale and forcibly displace most of the population who are already experiencing terrible suffering. This is simply abhorrent.

The horror we are seeing in Gaza must stop, with full humanitarian access, a return to the ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and meaningful progress towards a two-state solution.

In the past days, I have taken three actions in support of peace:

• I joined 70 Labour colleagues in writing to the PM to support recognition of Palestine, coordinating with international partners for maximum diplomatic impact.

• After meeting constituents at the Palestine lobby day in Parliament on Wednesday 15th, I met again with the Minister for the Middle East to discuss the steps we are taking as a country and how we can do more.

• On Thursday 16th, I used a Business Question this morning to highlight the continuing issues around arms sales and RAF overflights. I pressed on the importance of openness and transparency about the purpose and extent of these flights, to provide reassurance that nothing is being done to aid Israel’s disgraceful acts.

I will continue to do all I can to support an end to this utterly appalling situation.

You can read the full question here: Business of the House - Hansard - UK Parliament