Responding to the defeat of an SNP amendment to the king’s speech which called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, said:

"This vote was a historic missed opportunity for MPs to show they genuinely support the protection of Palestinian and Israeli civilians. UK MPs who voted against a ceasefire have badly let them down.

"A ceasefire is crucial to put a stop to unlawful attacks by all parties, halt the rapidly rising civilian death toll in Gaza and enable aid agencies to get life-saving aid, water and medical supplies into Gaza in response to what have been staggering levels of human suffering.

 "A ceasefire is also likely to be essential to securing the release of the hostages captured on 7 October.

 “Crucially, a ceasefire will create the time and space to start to meaningfully address some of the root causes of this decades-long crisis, including entrenched impunity and Israel's system of apartheid.

 "We will continue to call on all MPs to support a ceasefire on all sides to help prevent further catastrophic loss of civilian life in Israel and Gaza."

The SNP motion was defeated 294 to 124.

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