Flynn: 'the time for equivocation is over - UK must back a
ceasefire now'
The SNP has written to every MP urging them to "vote with your
conscience for an immediate ceasefire" - on the eve of the vote
in the House of Commons.
It comes as humanitarian groups urged MPs to back the
motion. Ahead of the vote, Amnesty International Scotland
Director Neil Cowan said “The motion for an immediate ceasefire
should be unreservedly supported by all parties and all MPs - not
with ifs, buts or other qualifications."
In the letter, today, SNP Westminster Leader writes:
"Dear Member of Parliament,
"Tomorrow, MPs will have the chance to vote for an immediate
ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.
"The SNP has now officially tabled our motion calling on the UK
government and parliament to press for an immediate ceasefire -
and we expect this to go to a vote on Wednesday evening.
"As you will be aware, the SNP forced a similar vote in November.
Despite a significant number of MPs supporting us, regrettably,
that vote failed because and ordered their MPs to oppose an
immediate ceasefire.
"Since Westminster voted against a ceasefire, thousands of
innocent Palestinian children, women and men have been killed -
and huge swathes of Gaza have been obliterated, including
hospitals, family homes and refugee camps.
"The death toll now stands at more than 29,000 civilians - with
UN workers, journalists, doctors, nurses and pregnant women among
those killed by Israeli military strikes. Every day, mothers are
burying their children - with more than 7,700 killed. Many of
those lucky enough to survive are losing their parents and
grandparents to bombs and bullets, with more children orphaned
every day.
"We know, if this conflict continues a moment longer, the scale
of this humanitarian disaster will become even more unimaginable.
Around two million Palestinians have been displaced, the
threat of starvation is growing - and the refugees who were
driven to Rafah, in the hope of safety, are now facing
the impending threat of a full scale military assault.
"For five months, the UK has followed and 's strategy of equivocation.
The death toll shows that strategy has comprehensively failed.
The time for equivocation is over - the UK must back an immediate
ceasefire now.
"By failing to join the UN, world leaders and humanitarian
organisations in calling for an immediate ceasefire - the UK has
made one less likely. It’s time for Westminster to end its
silence and say - 'enough is enough'.
"No one is pretending this is a simple situation, or that one
vote will magically result in a ceasefire overnight - but a
ceasefire is more likely to happen if the UK parliament and
government join international pressure, than if they fail.
"I'm sure you will agree, this is a defining vote for any MP. I
am therefore urging each and every one of you to vote with your
conscience for an immediate ceasefire. I hope and will find the courage to
change their position and do the only right thing but, if they
won't, it falls to us, MPs of all parties, to show we demand a
ceasefire now.
"That clear statement, and clear intent, is the only message that
Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government will understand. It
is the best pressure we can now apply. By finally joining the
vast majority of the international community in pressing for that
ceasefire, we can instigate a fresh diplomatic effort to stop the
slaughter of even more innocent civilians and children.
"That diplomatic effort to demand a ceasefire now is the only way
to stop the imminent assault on Rafah, secure the unconditional
release of all the remaining hostages taken by Hamas, get vital
aid into Gaza, and finally put an end to the collective
punishment of the Palestinian people.
"Yours sincerely,
SNP Westminster Leader"
ENDS
Notes for editors:
PDF copy of letter: https://mcusercontent.com/4fae14f57a18ee08253ffc251/files/c5bef468-b61b-73de-855f-3e7f8943558d/Ceasefire_Vote_Letter_to_MPs.pdf
Amnesty International press release: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/uk-mps-should-unreservedly-support-weeks-gaza-ceasefire-motion
