Many Luton South constituents have contacted me to ask that I take part in today’s debate regarding the situation in Israel and Palestine. I share many of the concerns raised, but unfortunately, I was not selected to speak due to limits on the number of speakers in Westminster Hall debates.

However, I want to reaffirm my support for the Palestinian people and condemn the forced evictions of families in Sheikh Jarrah and opposition to illegal settlements in the West Bank. I was shocked by the recent appalling violence that erupted and the terrible loss of life. I am relieved that a ceasefire has now been declared.

We now need international pressure to end the underlying injustices against the Palestinian people to achieve a long-lasting peace. This means ending the blockade of Gaza and the illegal occupation of Palestine that violates international law.

The Labour Party is pressing the UK government to take the following action:

• Demand an end to the forced evictions of Palestinians in East Jerusalem.
• Insist that sacred sites of all faiths are treated with the utmost respect.
• Insist upon the immediate halt to all new settlements and adherence to international law.
• Accept the need to recognise Palestine as a state.

I am a longstanding supporter of human rights, and I will continue to press the UK Government to put pressure on the Government of Israel to end the wider persecution of the Palestinian people and take steps towards lasting peace.

You can watch a live stream of the debate from 4.30pm here.

Further information

See my letter to the Foreign Secretary about the situation in Israel and Palestine here

See Lisa Nandy’s letter to Government here.

View my social media post after attending a demonstration in support of the Palestinian people here.

See my Parliamentary update videos discussing Israel and Palestine here and here.