Statement on Gaza: Feb. 2025

Thank you for contacting me about the situation in Israel and Gaza. This email is to provide a broad update and outline the Liberal Democrats’ stance on these concerns. A number of constituents have written to me since my last update in November, raising a variety of concerns. Although you may not have written to me about all of the individual points included in this email, I thought you may find them of interest so decided to send one email covering a variety of aspects.

Ceasefire 

The ceasefire is clearly very fragile. My hope is that it will last and the killing will stop. I welcome the return of Israeli hostages. It is vital that Gaza receives the aid in the volumes and at the speed that is so desperately needed.  

Now, it is incumbent on the UK and the entire international community to do all it can to ensure that this ceasefire does not turn out to be a temporary truce. Otherwise, we will not be able to get the remaining hostages home and finally alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

We must look back on this moment as the first step on the road to a lasting peace. That two-state solution - with a recognised Palestinian state based on 1967 borders - is the only way to deliver the dignity and security which Israelis and Palestinians deserve. 

President Trump 

I am hugely concerned by Trump’s proposal for Gaza. Not only is it dangerous, but it also shows a casual disregard for the rights and aspirations of Palestinians, who have suffered for so long. 

The UK must make clear that Trump’s proposals are wrong, flying in the face of international law. This is why the UK must immediately recognise Palestine as a state - making clear our commitment to a two-state solution based on 1967 borders. I have signed onto Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Calum Miller MP’s Early Day Motion 763 which calls on the government to hold Trump to account. 

Humanitarian situation 

We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian devastation in Gaza - and in particular the deteriorating situation in Northern Gaza. We continue to support increased humanitarian aid and urge the government to secure humanitarian access to Gaza. 

On 28th October in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Calum Miller MP addressed the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, saying “as the humanitarian situation in northern Gaza continues to deteriorate and the level of violence in the west bank worsens, the Liberal Democrats hope that the Foreign Secretary might go further, offering more than words of condemnation.” 

On 21st October, Calum Miller MP also released a statement on behalf of the Liberal Democrats condemning the civilian deaths in Jabalia and other parts of northern Gaza, as well as continuing to call for a ceasefire to allow aid and recovery. 

UNRWA 

We are deeply concerned about the laws passed in the Israeli Knesset banning UNRWA. This move, if enacted, would lead to the deaths of innocent Palestinian civilians - at a moment that couldn’t be more desperate. One of the UN’s most senior humanitarian officials warned recently that “the entire population of north Gaza is at risk of dying”. 

Calum Miller raised this in an urgent question to the government on 29th October, when he urged Ministers to ensure immediate humanitarian access into Gaza and to act on the recommendations of the Colonna Report. 

As well as words of condemnation, we ask the government to set out consequences for breaching international law. We urge them to consider sanctioning Ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich for their incitement of violence against Palestinians by illegal settlers. 

We also call for the government to continue to provide support to UNRWA to alleviate the humanitarian crisis as well as ensuring that the recommendations of the Colonna report are implemented as soon as possible. 

I have signed onto Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Calum Miller MP’s Early Day Motion #338, opposing the ban on UNRWA. 

Trade with illegal settlements, settler violence and the West Bank 

Liberal Democrats are deeply concerned about the rise in settler violence and ongoing settlement expansion. 

Settlement expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is one of the biggest barriers to peace. 

These settlements are illegal under international law, exacerbate tension, and undermine the viability of a two-state solution. 

Liberal Democrats were the first major UK political party to call on the UK Government to sanction far-right Israeli ministers, and leaders of the extremist settler movement, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. 

In his question to the Prime Minister on 15th October, Ed Davey asked whether the government would sanction Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir. 

The issue of trade with illegal Israeli settlements was raised in the Chamber by the Liberal Democrats on 28th October. We believe that the UK government should cease trade with settlements in the occupied territories, following the ICJ advisory that Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal. Liberal Democrats were the first major UK political party to advocate for this policy. 

Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Calum Miller MP asked the Foreign Secretary whether, “Following the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion this summer that the occupation is illegal, does he agree that introducing legislation to cease UK trade with illegal Israeli settlements is a practical way of upholding that judgement?” 

I have signed onto Liberal Democrat Early Day Motion #208 which urges the UK Government to cease trade with the illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. 

ICC Ruling 

The previous Conservative Government denigrated the International Criminal Court and undermined the UK’s standing on the world stage. 

It is vital that the new Government complies with our obligations under international law by committing to upholding this ruling, including enforcing arrest warrants. 

The ICC must be free to conduct its work without fear or favour. This is a very significant decision by the court. It reflects the devastating impact that the war between Hamas and Israel has had on many civilians. 

On 25th November, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Calum Miller said: “The conflict between Israel and Hamas has had a devastating impact on Palestinian and Israeli civilians, with women and children paying a particularly terrible price. 

Now that the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for those it believes are culpable, the UK has obligations under international law, which we must uphold.” 

Liberal Democrats continue to be the political party leading calls on the UK Government to take action on this devastating conflict. 

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me. 

Kind regards