Responding to the Labour Party for the first time calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, Karla McLaren, Amnesty International UK’s Head of Government Affairs, said:

“It’s come months after it should have done, but we welcome Labour’s call for an immediate Gaza ceasefire. 

 

“The civilian death toll in Gaza is already terrifyingly high, and it’s long been obvious that an immediate ceasefire was the only way to stem this unbearable suffering. 

 

“We want to see all parties and all MPs supporting a motion for an immediate ceasefire without qualification.

 

“A ceasefire call on its own is not enough though - the UK government must take meaningful action to deter Israel from continuing to commit grave violations of international humanitarian law. 

 

“As well as calling for an urgent ceasefire and the release of all civilian hostages in Gaza, MPs of all parties should press the Government to suspend UK arms transfers to Israel and ban all trade with Israel’s illegal settlements.

 

“The UK must also proactively support international efforts to ensure proper justice and accountability, including cases at the International Court of Justice on genocide and Israel’s illegal occupation, and the International Criminal Court investigation into serious human rights violations in Israel and Palestine. 

 

“Given the real risk of genocide against Palestinians, it’s now more urgent than ever that the UK reviews its relations with Israel to ensure it’s not supporting Israel’s illegal occupation or its system of apartheid.”