Emily Thornberry MP

Copy of letter to Labour MP Emily Thornberry

• DEAR Emily,

I am writing to express my deepest concerns regarding the horrifying ongoing Israeli siege and bombing of Gaza, in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

This is a humanitarian catastrophe of unimaginable proportions. It will not improve life in the region for either Israelis or Palestinians who will have yet another generation of traumatisation.

The Israeli government has been pursuing a policy of collective punishment since Monday, 9th October 2023, laying complete siege to Gaza and cutting off all drinkable water, electricity, food, fuel and medical supplies.

In my view, this cannot be justified with and is in no proportion to the horrendous terrorist events that happened on the 7/10.

I firmly believe that fighting one evil with another one leads to an endless spiral of revenge and hatred and never to peace.

The solution to this destructive conflict needs to be a political one, not one which increases the spiral of violence out of control.

Without urgent political intervention the terrifying violence unleashed in the region threatens a total genocide of the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip and a bloody and protracted regional war.

I ask that you call upon the UK government and your own party, to do everything within its power to broker an immediate and complete ceasefire, an end to the siege of the Gaza Strip and the opening of a humanitarian corridor through the Rafah crossing, allowing entry of all the desperately needed humanitarian aid into Gaza as a matter of utmost priority.

I also ask that you act to support already vulnerable UK Muslim and Jewish communities at this time. Both face the harrowing prospect of a further increase in Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.

Hate crime, prejudice and discrimination can never be allowed in our society, and we need to work on building opportunities for solidarity and peaceful coexistence. Please support all those local projects that foster this attitude of collaboration in our diverse and rich community.

The UK must demonstrate leadership on the international stage, ensuring international law is respected, the sanctity of all human life is protected, and a just and lasting peace prevails in the region and worldwide.

ELISABETH HEISMANN, N1