Gaza: Humanitarian Situation

Rehman Chishti Excerpts
Monday 4th December 2023

(5 months, 2 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Leo Docherty Portrait Leo Docherty
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We continue to use all levers at our disposal to argue for another humanitarian pause. Regrettably, it seems that discussion of a ceasefire is premature, given that Hamas are committed to the destruction of the state of Israel. We are resolutely committed to another humanitarian pause, and we are using all means that are available to us to argue for it.

Rehman Chishti Portrait Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)
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May I remind the Minister of the Prime Minister’s words at Mansion House? He said that the UK will

“act to shape the world, not be shaped by it”.

I raise that with the Minister with regard to the loss of life that we have seen across the board. We have to do everything we can to preserve human lives. I supported humanitarian pauses to do that at a very early stage, but the time has come for the UK to take a lead at the UN as a member of the Security Council. Lead at the Security Council; call for a ceasefire with regards—[Interruption.] We all have our own views on this matter. I have supported humanitarian pauses before, but the time has come for the UK to work towards a ceasefire, the release of all the hostages, humanitarian assistance and a political solution in line with our own Security Council resolution 242 and the 1967 borders. When will we push that at the Security Council and lead the world on this matter?

Leo Docherty Portrait Leo Docherty
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We are continuing to shape the outcome, and for us the most pragmatic and useful outcome at the moment is a further humanitarian pause, which we are arguing for strongly.