Occupied Palestinian Territories: Genocide Risk Assessment Debate
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Susan Murray
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Occupied Palestinian Territories: Genocide Risk Assessment
Susan Murray Excerpts(1 day, 9 hours ago)
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Susan Murray (Mid Dunbartonshire) (LD)
The recent events we have seen unfold in Gaza have been horrific. They are without doubt some of the worst atrocities to have taken place in modern times, carried out by Israel and centred in one small region. The targeting of civilian infrastructure has caused maximum suffering for the civilian population. Medical professionals have been imprisoned. As recently as last month, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 1,700 aid and health workers have been killed.
Now, during a period of ceasefire, the Israeli Government continue to severely restrict the entry of nutritious food, medical supplies and materials to repair and rebuild civilian infrastructure, and over 400 Palestinians have been killed. Palestinians continue to face famine and forced displacement. Their homes are flattened and their friends and family killed.
Upwards of 250 journalists have been killed. Entire news crews have been wiped out by airstrikes and targeted shootings. The people sent to the frontlines to document and report are struck down beside those they tried to help. I urge the Government to take proactive steps to secure the release of Palestinian medical professionals held in Israeli prisons—they should be free to care for the injured and sick—and to guarantee the safety of journalists reporting in Gaza. Without people to document the unfolding events in conflict zones, we are left without the evidence necessary for reconciliation, civilians are left without the first safeguard of international law, and aggressors feel a sense of immunity.
The Liberal Democrats are clear that the Israeli Government have committed a genocide in Gaza, and that those responsible must be held to account. Looking forward, we have a responsibility to protect those in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Government have been too slow in reacting to events in Palestine and the west bank. They must step up to their duties under international law by acknowledging the risk of genocide.