Gaza: Humanitarian Situation

Richard Burgon Excerpts
Monday 4th December 2023

(11 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Leo Docherty Portrait Leo Docherty
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The hon. Lady is correct that the pause was not sufficient to meet all the humanitarian needs. That does not stop us arguing for a further pause, because of course that is the first step to a more sustainable path towards peace.

Richard Burgon Portrait Richard Burgon (Leeds East) (Lab)
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I must say that the Minister comes across as a passive observer while the further horror unfolds. I wish he would use his agency and his role, because 1.8 million people in Gaza have been forcibly displaced. People were told to go south to avoid the bombing, but now Israel is indiscriminately bombing areas there. The UN says that

“there is no safe place in Gaza.”

Above all, this is a war on children. How many more children have to die before the Government add their name to the growing list of countries around the world calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire?

Leo Docherty Portrait Leo Docherty
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I would say gently to the hon. Gentleman that in actuality this is a war on Hamas.