I am sure everyone will have been following the tragic events in Israel & Gaza over the last 8 weeks. These are difficult times for Palestinians & Israelis. On both sides, too many have been killed, too many have lost their homes. I will not use this report to go though what has happened, but just highlight some developments that may not have been covered by the UK news media.
Whilst I was not surprised at the collapse of the Ceasefire last week given that neither Hamas nor the Netanyahu Government care about the people of Gaza. They both see them as pawns in the power game they are playing, the Netanyahu Government to cling on to power, Hamas to become to dominant military & political force in Palestine.
Within Israel, there is a small but growing anti-war movement. Netanyahu (and many of his ministers) have avoided talking with the families of those held by Hamas as much as possible and the families are no longer prepared to be quiet about the failings of the Netanyahu Government. Alongside this is growing realisation that the far-right elements of the Government are using the war as a cover to extract more money from the Government for their parties projects.
The war has also seen a rise in anti-Arab racism in Israel despite many Israeli Arabs being at the forefront of helping those evacuated from the area around Gaza & from near the Lebanese border as well as supporting those called up to serve in the reserves.
In the Occupied West bank, there has been a rise in violence, from both Palestinian & Jewish terrorists as well as from the IDF with over 230 Palestinians killed since October 7th as well as a number of attacks inside Israel by Terrorists. In the attack in Jerusalem last week, among those killed was an Israeli civilian who helped deal with the terrorists but was shot by a soldier even though the Israeli called out don’t shoot & clearly tried to show he was not a terrorist.
Here in the UK, I am glad that the Lib Dem leadership have taken a clear position calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, but I am unsure what steps they propose to take to enforce and secure one. Hopefully, the questions I have asked to Ed & Layla in the Webinar before our meeting will give some answers.
I have been very disappointed at the lack of coverage of the Together for Humanity Peace Vigil held in London yesterday, especially after the coverage given to the Pro-Palestine & Pro- Israel marches held on previous weekends. I am hoping we will hold an on-line vigil to highlight the need for peace in the area, we will discuss this later in the meeting.
Last week, I spoke at an event at the House of Lords organised by Basira highlighting the effect of the war on children, chaired by our own Lib Dem Peer, Lord Qurban Hussain. I have also been active on various social media forums.
We all need to be more vocal in condemning the cations of both Hamas & the Netanyahu Government, but neither represent their people. In both nations there are many who want peace, the chance to grow without the threat of war. Much is spoken about injustices done to one people or the other but the biggest injustice is that which we do to today’s young people and the generations to come in both Palestine and Israel if we do not work to bring peace to the land between the Mediterranean & the Jordan.