As UK government recognises Palestine, MPs call for further action
Nine Members of Parliament have signed a political appeal from UK Friends of Standing Together, calling on the UK government to take further and stronger action against war and occupation, and to support the forces of peace and equality in Israel-Palestine.
The text of the letter is below. It can also be downloaded as a PDF here.
Dear Prime Minister,
Supporting the forces of peace in Israel–Palestine
As the government recognises, the toll of Israel’s war of annihilation in Gaza is intolerable and ever-growing. A permanent ceasefire and hostage-release agreement remain acutely needed. Israel continues to advance its policy of ethnic cleansing and violent displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank. We echo our colleagues’ letters to you of 24 March, 10 July, and 25 July, and welcome British recognition of Palestine.
We agree: recognition must go with a wider plan. Both can and must come now.
We therefore call for the following urgent steps to help the forces of peace on the ground, as supporters of Standing Together, the largest grassroots movement of Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel, fighting for a future of peace, equality, and social justice for all in Israel–Palestine.
Since Hamas’s massacre on 7 October, Standing Together have fought for the hostages’ freedom, a ceasefire, and a political process for a just peace. They have made a real difference on the ground: blocking violent settlers’ attacks on Gaza aid trucks, defending Palestinians in Jerusalem from far-right pogroms, and forcing mainstream Israeli media to cover starvation in Gaza.
With this track record, when they call for international action, the government must listen.
Amplify the work of organisations on the ground like Standing Together. As Standing Together’s Rula Daood told parliament, international backing ‘opens more space for us to work within our societies’. Mention their work in the press and parliament. Send representatives to gatherings like the People’s Peace Summit, which 10,000 people and 60 organisations (including Standing Together) attended.
Sanction far-right officials and groups responsible for violence and incitement against Palestinians and groups like Standing Together.
The extremist group Tzav 9 has blocked aid trucks to Gaza. Standing Together has stopped them before, and is prepared to act again. Now we must sanction them.
We welcome sanctions on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich for inciting violence against and displacement of Palestinians. They must apply to all ministers, senior to junior, and MKs making such calls, and police officials who deliberately ignore settler violence.
Ben-Gvir’s police have made political arrests of peace activists, including from Standing Together. Now sanction the political aides who subverted the police to his whims.
Revoke weapons licences and stop military support. In Israel, the vast majority want the war ended and hostages released. Some even refuse further deployment. As Standing Together’s Uri Weltmann said: ‘If someone tells you that selling spare parts for F-35s is a way for people in Britain to secure safety and security for Israelis, they are peddling lies. As an Israeli, I think [they] need to distance themselves from my government, which does its best to undermine my life, my safety, and my security.’
Britain continues to train Israeli forces, supply ammunition, and surveil Gaza. This must stop.
We welcome last year’s suspension of about one-tenth of licences. But the justification of remaining licences is narrowly legalistic and unconvincing.
The government insists it cannot stop supplies to the F-35 parts pool. But other licences remain valid. And such inaction enables Israel’s annihilation of Gaza. The government must explore and exhaust all options, including partially suspending supplies, and acting with other concerned F-35 partners.
Fill gaps in West Bank settlement sanctions. We welcome existing sanctions on some violent groups. But gaps remain. Ban British charities from funding settlements. Ban goods imported from settlements. Work with other governments and organisations on the ground to identify and sanction all violent settlers.
Accompany or lead convoys of aid to Gaza, called for by international and Palestinian civil society. Standing Together has foiled far-right groups’ aid blockages; now governments must challenge the official policy of starvation.
The most effective way to act is to listen to and stand with activists on the ground, such as Standing Together. The government must start with these five steps.
Yours sincerely,
Siân Berry MP
Ellie Chowns MP
Pippa Heylings MP
Clive Lewis MP
Simon Opher MP
Manuela Perteghella MP
Andy Slaughter MP
Alex Sobel MP
Nadia Whittome MP