Moran shares harrowing account of family in Gaza
EMBARGO: Immediate Release
Layla Moran MP has updated the House of Commons on the situation facing her relatives who are sheltering in the Latin Church in Zeitoun in Gaza, after she secured an Urgent Question.
The Liberal Democrats have been calling for an immediate bilateral ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict to get aid in, get the hostages out, and provide space to realise a political solution: Hamas out of Gaza, a two-state solution and a lasting peace.
Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran MP said:
“The situation in Gaza is worsening drastically.
“When will the United Kingdom finally fulfil its historic obligations to the region - recognise Palestine as a first step to delivering two states, the only way to guarantee the dignity and security which all Palestinians and Israelis deserve?
“The UK Government should be backing an immediate bilateral ceasefire, to provide space to achieve that political solution.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The text of Layla Moran MP’s Urgent Question to the Government was as follows (CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY):
Thank you Mr Speaker,
May I begin by pointing to my register of interests as an unpaid advisor for ICJP.
As I have spoken about before in this House, my extended family are sheltering in the Latin Church in Zeitoun in Gaza.
The situation has been desperate for weeks, but now it is descending.
There are tanks outside the building, snipers pointing in shooting at anyone who ventures out, and the convent was bombed.
On Saturday 2 women were shot. They were simply trying to get to the toilet.
There is no electricity, no clean water, and the last update last night was that they are down to the last can of corn.
When this began a week ago, the IDF ordered all these civilians to evacuate, against their will. Can the Government confirm that it sees the forcible displacement of civilians as unacceptable.
The people in this church are civilians, Mr Speaker. They have nothing to do with Hamas. They are nuns, orphans, disabled people. They are a small community who know everyone. It is categorically untrue to say Hamas are operating from there.
This situation has been condemned by many - including the Pope. Will the Government do so?
But the suffering is not confined to just this church. Last week we also saw the utterly tragic deaths of three Israeli hostages - as well as others reportedly murdered by Hamas, with over 100 others still in captivity.
73 days on in this conflict, the death toll is only rising.
It’s time for the international community to say this violence is making peace harder, not easier.
The Government talks of a “sustainable” ceasefire.
While I and the Liberal Democrats welcome the change in tone, it is unclear whether this is in fact a change in position.
When will the Government demand an immediate bilateral ceasefire?
Will it change how it votes at the UN security council as a result?
When will the Prime Minister accept that the only route to peace is a political not military one - that this is the only way to get rid of Hamas, and end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza?
And finally, when will the United Kingdom finally fulfil its historic obligations to the region - recognise Palestine as a first step to delivering two states - the only way to guarantee the dignity and security which all Palestinians and Israelis deserve?
ENDS
