Shame on the UK Govt for Not Backing Gaza Ceasefire
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Raven Ruma
- . December 11, 2023
- . Update: December 11, 2023 5:52 pm
Humza Yousaf, Scottish First Minister, has rebuked the UK of abstaining from a vote at the United Nations Security Council calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, saying that it is complicit in the killing of thousands of children.
“I find it incomprehensible that the UK did not vote for a ceasefire. How can you choose to be complicit in the killing of thousands of children? Shame on the UK Government & Keir Starmer’s Labor Party who refuse to back a #Ceasefire.”
Yousaf’s wife Nadia El-Nakla is a Palestinian, five of her relatives were reportedly injured in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Her parents managed to escape Gaza through Rafah crossing in November. Their return to Scotland was emotional and heartbreaking as they had to leave their family behind in war zone.
Labor Criticizes UK Government
The Labor party criticized the UK government over its support for Israel, describing the death and destruction in Gaza as intolerable. It lashed out at two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers for supporting illegal settlements in the West Bank.
The Shadow Foreign Minister David Lammy rebuked the Israeli authorities for turning a blind eye to violence by settlers in the West Bank, and forcibly displacing more than 1,000 Palestinians from their homes since October 7. The minister demanded the government to impose immediate travel bans on those responsible for settler violence.
“The people of Gaza, like the people of the West Bank, must know that a Labor government, with the international community, will not tolerate their expulsion. Israel must clearly affirm that Palestinians displaced since 7 October will be able to return to their homes. This must be at the core of our efforts.”
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UK Arms Export to Israel
Meanwhile, the Rishi Sunak-led government is in hot water for arms sales to Israel. A lawyer Ahmed Abofoul says the UK has a legal and moral obligation to not grant licenses for the sale of British weapons to regimes that commit atrocity crimes. And now the UK government is facing a legal challenge.
Another legal expert said there is credible case that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and that the UK government could be in breach of the Genocide Convention by not addressing it. However, the UK government continues to support Israel, highlighting the legitimate right to self defend itself and take action against terrorism.
