UK Leaders Rally for Immediate Action on Gaza Tragedy

Members of the UK Parliament, along with representatives from the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLAs), Scottish Parliament (MSPs), and the Welsh Senedd (MSs), have called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to take immediate action by pressuring Israel to cease its military operations in Gaza. This urgent plea is led by the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and includes support from Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party, the Scottish National Party (SNP), Plaid Cymru, the Green Party, and People Before Profit.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the signatories are requesting that Parliament be convened soon, alongside a call for urgent diplomatic efforts and a halt to arms sales to Israel. Previously, Starmer indicated that the UK would recognize a Palestinian state in September, provided Israel makes “substantive steps” to alleviate the dire conditions in Gaza.

However, the government is under mounting political pressure both internationally and domestically to take more decisive actions. France has recently announced its intention to recognize a Palestinian state in September, joining Ireland, Spain, and Norway, which had already made similar commitments last year.

The letter, which has been made available to BBC News NI, expresses the signatories’ “united” concern and opposition to the UK government’s continued support for the Israeli actions in Gaza. It states, “Your stated September deadline for reassessing the UK’s position is far too late. Every day of delay results in more children starving, more families being torn apart, and more lives being lost. You must act now. The UK cannot be complicit in prolonging this tragedy.”

The letter bears the signatures of prominent political figures, including SDLP leader Claire Hanna, Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O’Neill, Alliance leader Naomi Long, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, and People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll. Hanna emphasized the SDLP’s role in voicing the collective despair and anger over the UK government’s failure to confront Prime Minister Netanyahu. She stated, “Our voice may be the only tool we have, but together it is a powerful one—reflecting the depth of feeling from our constituents and highlighting the Prime Minister’s failure to protect the people of Gaza.”

The letter also urges the UK to leverage its diplomatic influence to ensure the unimpeded delivery of essential food, water, and humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza.

Additionally, the letter, which has the backing of the Scottish Greens and Scottish Liberal Democrats, unequivocally condemns the actions of Hamas during the attacks on October 7, which resulted in around 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of over 250 hostages. This violence prompted a significant military response from Israel in Gaza, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Last week, Israel’s security cabinet approved plans to seize control of Gaza City—a move criticized by Starmer as “wrong” and likely to lead to further bloodshed. The UK’s plans to recognize a Palestinian state have drawn sharp criticism from Israel, which argues that such a recognition would “reward Hamas’s monstrous terrorism” and place the UK at odds with the United States, which shares similar concerns about recognition.

The joint letter to Starmer concludes with a call for the UK government to “support a ceasefire and meaningful diplomatic intervention to protect civilians and secure a just, lasting peace.” It asserts, “We urge you to act decisively against the man-made famine, the mass killing of children, and the broader assault on human life.” The letter ends on a poignant note: “History will remember whether we chose to remain silent or stand on the side of humanity.”