Thank you to those constituents who have contacted me about the crisis in the Middle East.
Like you, I am appalled by what is happening in Gaza. The level of suffering is intolerable, the UN have repeatedly warned of starvation and the lack of aid reaching ordinary Gazans is shocking.
But we also need to be honest about what the UK can do on its own. The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said recently that the UK could not single-handedly force an end to the war. “I wish we could, but the truth is … we are unable to do that just as the United Kingdom. We have to work in partnership with our allies, that is what we have done. And I’m afraid if we do not see this war come to an end, there will be more action.“
What has happened in the last few days, however, as a result of the huge international pressure put on Israel is that they have decided to allow more aid into Gaza in the form of airdrops, and introduced military pauses to allow food convoys to reach people. But for this to make a difference to the starvation we are seeing, we need to see a dramatic and sustained increase in aid supplies.
The Labour Government has been clear. The Israeli government’s failure to allow full humanitarian access to aid workers is abhorrent and the denial of essential humanitarian aid to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching international law.
On 19 May, the UK, France and Canada issued a statement strongly opposing the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The statement said:
“The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Yesterday’s announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate. We call on the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. This must include engaging with the UN to ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles. We call on Hamas to release immediately the remaining hostages they have so cruelly held since 7 October 2023.
The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law. We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate. Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law.
Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7. We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate. We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.
We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank. Israel must halt settlements which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians. We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions.”
The response from the Israeli government was stark and angry. Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “I say to President Macron, Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Starmer…..you’re on the wrong side of justice.”
The UK followed this up when the Foreign Secretary David Lammy made a statement to Parliament in which he described the Israeli government’s deliberate blocking of humanitarian aid as “abominable” and its disproportionate military assault on Gaza and calls by Israeli cabinet ministers for the “cleansing” of the the territory as “repellent” and “monstrous”. He went on to say that “Israel’s plan is morally unjustifiable, wholly disproportionate and utterly counterproductive.”
He said he was suspending negotiations with the Israeli government on a new free trade agreement and summoning the Israeli Ambassador to the Foreign Office in order to convey the Government’s views.
He also announced new sanctions on individuals and entities involved in settler movements in the West Bank.
This is in addition to the suspension last September of UK arms sales to Israel which could be used in Gaza. These include components for fighter aircraft (F-16s), parts for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or drones), naval systems, and targeting equipment. The UK is not therefore sending arms that could be used by Israel in Gaza, but we are sending equipment for civilian use by NGOs and journalists such as body armour. I am quite sure that you would not want us not to deny those organisations such equipment so that they themselves are not injured. On the issue of RAF flights, these are strictly limited to the search for hostages and are not being used in combat operations. These flights do not share intelligence with the Israeli military.
David Lammy also announced £4m of new humanitarian aid for Gaza. This was then followed by the sanctioning of two members of the Israeli cabinet.
What we need is an immediate ceasefire to get the remaining hostages out, and to get aid that is desperately needed in.
I am also deeply concerned by recent events in the West Bank. The UK Government continues to call on the Israeli authorities to adhere to international law and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions. Settler violence is unacceptable, and the Government continues to raise this issue with Israeli counterparts.
The UK Government considers Israeli settlements to be illegal under international law. As a result, goods produced in those settlements are not entitled to benefit from trade and trade preferences under the UK’s current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel.
On sanctions, the Government uses sanctions carefully to address malign activity and to demonstrate the UK’s commitment to fundamental human rights. For example, in October, the Government announced new sanctions targeting three illegal settler outposts and four organisations that have supported and sponsored violence against communities in the West Bank.
And whether in the West Bank or Gaza there must be no forced displacement. Palestinians should be able to return and rebuild their homes and lives.
On the question of the rule of law, the UK stands four square behind it and in May the UK told the International Court of Justice that Israel must lift its restrictions on humanitarian assistance to Gaza, ensure civilian protection and fully comply with international humanitarian law.
Most recently, the Prime Minister announced that the UK will formally recognise the state of Palestine this September as a result of the “increasingly intolerable” situation on the ground in Gaza, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire, allows aid in, and commits to a two-state solution in the Middle East. This is a very significant step and I hope that other countries will follow the lead that France and Britain have now given.
Finally, I would urge you to read the statement that was made in the House of. Commons by the Foreign Secretary:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-middle-east-21-july-2025
and the statement made at a recent meeting of the UN Security Council on behalf of the UK Government:
Thank you for writing to me about this most important issue.
Best wishes
Hilary Benn MP
Member of Parliament for Leeds South and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland