Occupied Palestinian Territories: Humanitarian Situation Debate

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Department: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Occupied Palestinian Territories: Humanitarian Situation

Jon Trickett Excerpts
Wednesday 8th November 2023

(1 year ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jon Trickett Portrait Jon Trickett (Hemsworth) (Lab)
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As a person of Jewish heritage, I was mortified and horrified by what happened on 7 October, but I did not for one second believe that any Palestinian child anywhere was responsible. Yet the Secretary-General of the United Nations has said that Gaza is “a graveyard for children” and that the Israelis are committing war crimes, and has called for humanitarian peace. We helped to create the United Nations. We are permanent members. Is it not time we got behind the Secretary-General, who speaks with great moral authority on these matters, and ourselves called for a ceasefire?

Andrew Mitchell Portrait Mr Mitchell
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The British role at the United Nations is second to none in trying to stop what is happening in Israel and in Palestine. The point I would make to the hon. Gentleman is that Hamas knew exactly what they were unleashing on that dreadful day of 7 October, and the blame for what has happened should be allocated precisely where it rests.