The situation in Gaza

Written by Simon Hughes MP on Fri 9th Jan 2009

As your local Member of Parliament I want to tell you of my response to recent events in Gaza. I hope that, by the time you read this, a ceasefire will have been agreed which will end the fighting and the dreadful and tragic loss of so many lives.

In my view the extent and nature of Israel's military assault on Hamas in Gaza has been disproportionate and self-defeating. In one of the most densely populated parts of the world, Israel's recent actions have led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries among innocent Palestinians. Restrictions on humanitarian aid reaching people in Gaza worsened a humanitarian catastrophe which has been developing since Israel closed border crossings with Gaza in 2006.

I understand the Israeli argument that it has a responsibility to protect its citizens whose lives are tormented by rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. If there were similar attacks on other sovereign countries I have no doubt that they would also take action. I further appreciate that Hamas is an organisation which has up until now refused to recognise Israel's right to exist. The fact that Hamas has recently controlled Gaza has been a cause of the greatest concern to Israel's government and citizens. But a military response leading to hundreds of civilian casualties goes far beyond Israel's original right to defend itself. Israel has now damaged the peace process, strengthened the appeal of radicals and undermined moderate Palestinians. It will be much more difficult for the Palestinian Authority to claim that negotiating with Israel is the best way to realise Palestinian aspirations for justice and statehood when Israel appears to kill Palestinians with impunity.

Perhaps the most distressing dimension of the conflict has been the weak and slow international diplomatic response. In frustration, I co-wrote a letter to The Guardian newspaper on 31 December 2008 which called for an immediate ceasefire and international action to end the blood letting in Gaza (you can view it online at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/31/letters-horror-gaza-violence). Britain and the EU need to be tougher in their dealings with Israel. We must stop selling arms to Israel. Second, the EU should suspend its new, enhanced co-operation agreement with Israel. As Israel's most important trading partner the EU has great leverage, and it is not right to strength economic ties and increase military funding when Israel acts in this way.

Since I was a teenager, I have had a public commitment to justice for Palestine. I was inspired to enter politics by such campaigns in the 1970s and the rights of Palestinians were the subject of the first ever letter of mine published in the press - when I was a student. I have had the opportunity to visit Palestine twice, most recently in 2006, and understand the deep yearning the overwhelming majority of Palestinians have for peace. I have participated in many activities and demonstrations in the UK and have met regularly with the London representative of the Palestinian Authority. I have also made representations on a regular basis to Israeli politicians, diplomats and public servants on the need to end illegal settlements in Palestine, to minimise restrictions on movement and to uphold international law.

I assure you that I will continue to fight for justice for the Palestinians and press the British government and the EU to take a more active and forceful diplomatic role.

All sides must reject violence and negotiations must resume to reach a permanent solution to this most painful of conflicts. It is necessary to establish a viable and independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders

alongside a secure Israel. I believe this is in Israel's long term interests as well as the millions of Palestinians who have a right to statehood and independence.

I shall not desert Palestine or its people in their latest hour of need.