I have been contacted by a number of my constituents regarding the UN Security Council vote on 8 December.

I share the UK Government’s grave concern about the desperate situation in Gaza; the scale of civilian deaths and displacement cannot continue.

The UK Government supports a ceasefire, but this must be a sustainable ceasefire, meaning that Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israel and release the hostages. The UK also supported the humanitarian pause that took place at the end of November, and is pushing the diplomatic effort to agree further pauses to get more vital aid to civilians in Gaza and to allow for hostage release.

Though I appreciate the motivation behind the UAE-drafted resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, the UK could not vote on a resolution which did not condemn the atrocities Hamas committed against innocent Israeli citizens on 7 October. 

Hamas barbarically attacked Israel, and still fires rockets to kill Israeli citizens every day. Hamas must lay down its arms. Furthermore, the UK is clear that for there to be long-term stability in the Middle East, there must be a viable two-state solution. Leaving Hamas in power in Gaza would only be a permanent roadblock to this prospect.

The UK Government continues to focus on getting humanitarian aid into Gaza and preventing regional escalation. Indeed, during his recent visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Foreign Secretary announced new funding. This £30 million in humanitarian aid will support trusted partners, including UN agencies on the ground, to deliver lifesaving aid to people in Gaza. It brings to £60 million the additional aid announced by the UK for Palestinian civilians since the crisis started in October. FCDO Ministers are also urgently exploring with partners measures to help increase the flow of humanitarian support. 

I welcome that the Foreign Secretary has said that we must do all we can to pave the way to a sustainable ceasefire, leading to a sustainable peace.