I understand and share the deep concern many feel regarding the suffering endured by civilians in this conflict. I have spent the last nine months, as a member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, looking at this issue in great detail including visiting the West Bank. This investigation has led to the production of a report, which you can read here, which sets out a series of urgent recommendations and conclusions.
The report makes clear that the current situation is intolerable. Ministers and diplomats must exert every effort to bring about an immediate release of the hostages still held by Hamas and at the same time an end to the fighting, the displacement of civilians, and the severe restrictions on essential supplies. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation system has failed to deliver the necessary aid and should be dismantled and replaced by a UN-led mechanism operating on established humanitarian principles.
The report further urges the UK Government to redouble its diplomatic efforts to help secure a ceasefire in both Gaza and the West Bank. This includes using our close relationship with the United States to encourage more effective pressure on both Israel and Hamas. At the same time, the UK should insist that Israel opens all crossings to allow unrestricted access for food, medicine, shelter materials, and other life-saving aid. In addition, the UK must support the urgent medical evacuation of critically injured children from Gaza to the UK, ensuring safe transport and swift processing of permits and visas.
The Committee are agreed, as are almost all international bodies, that a two state solution represents the only way forward which can achieving a lasting peace. This will require an Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. To achieve this will require a settlement which includes the removal of Hamas combined with bold leadership on both sides, supported by the neighbouring Arab states. Recognition of Palestine will be an integral part of any settlement but I do not believe that recognition now without will help bring this about. It has to be part of any overall settlement and it was for that reason I did not support this particular element of the Report.
