British Politicians Urged to Condemn Israeli ‘Collective Punishment’ in Gaza Strip
The Council for Arab-British Understanding (CAABU) has called on British politicians to denounce the collective punishment imposed by Israeli forces on Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. CAABU emphasized the need for caution in political rhetoric surrounding the conflict to prevent further escalation.
CAABU Director Chris Doyle stressed that any actions taken by Israel should align with international law. He also highlighted the importance of holding all parties involved accountable, including Hamas. Doyle further noted that the recent offensive by Israel followed unjustifiable and shocking atrocities committed by Hamas against Israeli civilians in the south of the country on October 7.
The death toll currently stands at 1,200 Israelis and approximately 1,300 Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli authorities have announced the cessation of electricity, fuel, water, and food supplies to Gaza indefinitely.
The International Committee of the Red Cross raised concerns about the dire consequences of power shortages on Gaza’s hospitals, affecting vital medical equipment such as incubators and oxygen supply for elderly patients. Additionally, the lack of electricity hampers critical medical procedures like kidney dialysis and X-ray imaging. CAABU highlighted the existing difficulty for Gaza’s families in accessing clean water, warning that children may be forced to drink contaminated water due to shortages.
CAABU accused the Israeli government of imposing a total siege on the 2.3 million Palestinians living under Israeli occupation in Gaza. According to CAABU, as the occupying power, Israel has a legal obligation to ensure the welfare of these individuals. The organization pointed out that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant had referred to the conflict as a war against human animals and vowed to act accordingly.
CAABU called upon British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to unequivocally condemn the imposition of the siege. Failure to do so, CAABU asserted, would imply condoning war crimes. Doyle emphasized that British politicians should condemn both Hamas and any crimes committed by any party and stressed that responding to an atrocity with another atrocity is unacceptable. He expressed disappointment in the lack of sympathy British politicians have shown towards the suffering of Palestinians.
James Cleverly, who is currently in Israel meeting with leaders and survivors of the recent Hamas attack, expressed the UK’s unwavering support for Israel’s right to self-defense and the safe return of its citizens held hostage in Gaza. Cleverly called for minimizing civilian casualties while acknowledging Israel’s legitimate defensive actions.
Doyle underscored the responsibility of British politicians to use their positions of influence to uphold international law and prevent further violence. He criticized the lack of accountability for Israel’s actions and argued that the failure of leaders to speak out gives Israel a green light to continue committing war crimes.
Doyle praised Middle Eastern leaders for responding cautiously to the situation, highlighting the potential danger of tensions spreading geographically and escalating further. He stressed the immediate need for adherence to international law and urged international leaders to demonstrate statesmanship.
The situation in Gaza calls for urgent attention and resolution to protect civilian lives and ensure compliance with international law. The repercussions of the conflict extend beyond regional borders, underscoring the importance of global leaders taking a balanced approach and actively working towards de-escalation and peace.
