20 May 2025
Caabu welcomes the statement from the Foreign Secretary David Lammy that the continued assault on Gaza by Israel is “unjustifiable, disproportionate, and counterproductive”. The announcement of additional sanctions on violent illegal settlers and entities is appreciated, as well as the suspension of trade talks with Israel.
However, given the destruction of Gaza, the inhumane Israeli blockade against 2.3 million Palestinians, that according to the UN could lead to 14,000 babies dying of starvation in the next 48 hours, these measures almost certainly go nowhere near far enough to stop Israeli actions.
The government’s legal duty is to act to prevent genocide as Tom Fletcher, the UN aid chief pointed out at the UN Security Council. To do so, it needs to place a full arms embargo on Israel, including F35 components, put a ban on all trade with illegal settlements, and place economic sanctions on Israel for its continued breaches of international humanitarian law.
Caabu also condemns the statements from the Conservative Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel. She refused to condemn the Israeli blockade nor the genocidal comments from Israeli Ministers. In contrast to the government and the UN, she argued that the UK should support the aid delivery model for Gaza devised by Israel and the US although it violates global humanitarian principles including providing aid on the basis of need. In her time as Shadow Foreign Secretary, she has yet once in the House of Commons to criticise Israel nor to offer any sympathy to Palestinian civilians being bombed and starved.
Ends...
Notes to editors:
- For more information or interviews contact Chris Doyle on +44 (0)7968 040281
- The exchange between David Lammy and Priti Patel can be watched here
