Orkney and Shetland MP, , has backed calls for
the incoming Labour government to uphold international law and
support efforts towards a lasting peace in Israel and Palestine,
including the recognition of a Palestinian state. Signing Liberal
Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran's parliamentary
motion, Mr Carmichael warned that with the election past, now was
the time to renew efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza, while
welcoming the government's announcement today of the restoration
of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East, the agency which supports
aid for Palestinians.
Mr Carmichael said:
“Our country may have been distracted with an election in recent
weeks but the suffering in Gaza has continued without any pause.
Now we must see renewed diplomatic efforts to see the hostages
released, the fighting to end and for humanitarian aid to reach
those who desperately need it.
“If we believe in the international rule of law then we should
not be afraid to stand up for it. That is true with our friends
just as much as with our enemies, whether it means sanctioning
those involved in human rights abuses or indeed suspending arms
sales.
“The new government must take a stronger line on international
law than the previous government did. I am glad that the
government has today restored funding to UNRWA after a lengthy
delay by its predecessor, which will play a vital role in
supporting those in the most danger. Even so we must recommit
ourselves to the two-state solution and the recognition of an
independent Palestinian state.
“Now is the time to push for a durable ceasefire and a lasting
peace for the sake of all suffering in this conflict.”
ENDS
Note to Editors
Full text of parliamentary motion below:
That this House expresses its devastation at the complete
humanitarian disaster in Gaza with tens of thousands of innocent
Palestinians killed, millions displaced and thousands of homes
destroyed; urges Hamas to unconditionally and immediately release
the hostages taken following the deplorable attacks on 7 October
2023; notes the unacceptable illegal settler violence in the
Occupied Palestinian Territories left unchecked by the Israeli
Government; welcomes any sanctions by the Government against
extremist Israeli settlers who have committed human rights abuses
against Palestinian communities in the West Bank; further urges
the Government to sanction all violent settlers and their
connected entities; calls on the Government to uphold
international law and the judgments of international courts under
all circumstances; further notes that the only path to regional
security is a two-state solution based on 1967 borders with Hamas
not in power; condemns Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's
repeated assertions that there is no future for a Palestinian
state; urges the Government to immediately recognise the state of
Palestine; and further urges the Government to call for an
immediate bilateral ceasefire in Gaza, which will allow an end to
the humanitarian devastation, get the hostages out and provide an
opportunity for a political process leading to a two-state
solution, providing security and dignity for all peoples in
Palestine and Israel.
