Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to recall Parliament just hours before his crunch Ukraine summit at the White House later today.
The Prime Minister, who will later meet with US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders to discuss efforts to end the war in the ex-Soviet state, is facing increasing pressure to take a more hardline stance on Israel's war with Hamas.
Sir Keir was this morning urged to "impose sanctions" on Israel, with politicians from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales telling the Prime Minister to "act now".
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The letter has been signed by Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, SDLP leader Claire Hanna, the SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn.
Other co-signatories include co-leader Lorna Slater of Scottish Greens, Alistair Carmichael from the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Plaid Cymru’s Westminster group leader Liz Saville Roberts, and People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll.
In the letter, the senior politicians said: “The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza is both man-made and avoidable.
“It is characterised not only by relentless bombardment and destruction, but by the deliberate creation of conditions that are starving a civilian population.
“The blocking of food, water, and medical supplies has precipitated what UN agencies and humanitarian experts describe as a man-made famine; one that is rapidly claiming lives and inflicting irreparable harm on an already traumatised population.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer | PAAlongside recalling Parliament and imposing sanctions on Israel, Sir Keir is being encouraged to “support a ceasefire and meaningful diplomatic intervention to protect civilians and secure a just, lasting peace”.
The letter also calls for an immediate end to all arms sales to Israel, support for an “independent, international investigations into alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide in Gaza”.
It added: “The UK’s moral standing and commitment to human rights will be measured by its response to this crisis.
“We urge you to act decisively by standing against the man-made famine, the mass killing of children, and the broader assault on civilian life.
A stuffed toy lies amidst the rubble at the site of Israeli strikes on buildings at Gaza's Old City market, in Gaza City | REUTERS“History will remember whether we chose to remain silent or to stand on the side of humanity.”
However, the Prime Minister just recently said that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine in September unless Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu meets certain conditions.
Sir Keir is demanding Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza, revives the prospect of a two-state solution and allowing the United Nations to restart the supply of aid.
However, Mr Netanyahu accused Sir Keir of "reward[ing] Hamas's monstrous terrorism" by putting pressure on Israel to change tack.
Devastation in Gaza | GettyMPs were last recalled to Parliament in April this year when emergency legislation was put to the House of Commons to save Scunthorpe Steelworks from closure.
The last time Parliament was recalled during the summer recess was in August 2021, when MPs rushed back to Westminster to debate the evacuation of Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of Kabul.
However, calls for Parliament to be recalled this time come as the death toll in Gaza soars past 60,000.
The Strip's Hamas-run Health Ministry yesterday claimed that 61,944 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its counter-offensive after the terror group's atrocious October 7 attacks.
SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP
|PA
SDLP leader Claire Hanna said “ever growing numbers of people across these islands have shown their horror and anguish” at events in Gaza.
She added: “The situation is deteriorating, with more people dying every day.
“The people of Gaza don’t have the luxury of waiting any longer for the UK Government to act.
“Today the SDLP is leading parties in giving voice to the despair and anger at the UK Government’s failure to stand up to Netanyahu.
“Our voice may be the only tool we have, but together it is a powerful one – reflecting the depth of feeling of our constituents and highlighting the failure of the Prime Minister and his government to do all in their power to protect the people of Gaza.”