Gaza Statement
Chuka has signed a joint statement on the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The statement calls for the immediate and permanent cessation of military activities by all combatants, urging the UK and International Community to prioritise renewing and rebuilding the Middle East peace process.
Its signatories condemn the bombing of UN schools as “both unnecessary and avoidable”, and support efforts to end the blockade of Gaza to allow the free movement of civilians and distribution of humanitarian aid.
The signatories also welcome the UK Government’s early call for a ceasefire between the two sides, but contrast it to “the deafening silence of our country’s leaders during the Lebanon conflict in 2006.”
Commenting on the crisis today, Chuka added,
”I appreciate the desire for Israel to act in the face of rocket attacks by Hamas targetting Israeli civilians, but Israel’s use of force in response – leading to the deaths now of over 700 Palestinians – has been totally disproportionate”.
You can read the full statement here.
