We need an end to the violence in Israel and Palestine.

That’s easy to say, but less easy to achieve.  That’s why tonight, in Parliament, I voted for Labour’s motion setting out a path “for an enduring cessation” of the violence that has already taken too many innocent lives.  You can read the full text of the motion here.

This can’t just be a brief humanitarian pause to allow in aid.  With the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, there needs to be a lengthy cessation of hostilities to deliver assistance at sufficient scale, fix the damage to water pipelines, restore power and rebuild Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, including hospitals.

During that time, the UK must work together with the international community through the diplomatic and political process to prevent the further loss of innocent lives and secure the release of hostages held so cruelly by Hamas.

Whilst I do believe that Israel has the right to defend its people, Israel does not have the right to breach international law.  I cannot support the humanitarian catastrophe now playing out in Gaza, with the collective punishment of innocent, trapped Palestinians on an unimaginable scale.  Nor, with fighting now in its second month, do I believe that the long-term security of Israel or long-term justice for Palestine can be delivered by bombs and bullets.

As I have always said, and as Labour’s motion sets out, ultimately the only road to peace in the region is a two-state solution with a Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel.  For too long, the international community has failed to grasp this challenge, putting it in the “too difficult” pile.  We cannot afford this to continue.  However hard this will be, making real progress with this goal will be a priority for the next Labour Government.

I have received hundreds of emails over the past few days, and I share the overwhelming wish of my constituents to see the violence stop.  There are significant challenges to achieving a formal ceasefire.  It requires both parties to agree, and to stick to it, and the statements from Israel and from Hamas do not suggest this is likely.  Hamas have spoken of their intention to carry out further attacks like 7 October “again and again”.  There is also a real risk that it would freeze the conflict in its current state which would be disastrous for Israelis and Palestinians alike.  Hamas cannot be allowed to continue in charge of Gaza, nor can there be a reoccupation.  It is because of these challenges that I support Labour’s calls for an immediate end to hostilities to get in the humanitarian aid, water, food, medicine, and fuel Palestinians need right now and a longer-term path towards an enduring cessation of violence.  That must include an end to the expansion of illegal settlements and settler violence in the West Bank which pose a real risk of further escalation and make ever more distant the prospect of a lasting and sustainable peace.

As I cast my vote tonight to condemn all innocent loss of lives, my thoughts are with all those Israelis and Palestinians whose families have been torn apart by the violence.  May we build a world of peace in their memory.

Catherine West MP
Labour MP for Hornsey & Wood Green

Labour’s motion includes these ten points

1. Condemnation of the terrorist attacks: Condemning the horrific terrorist attack and murder of civilians by Hamas on October 7th.
2. Release of the hostages: Calls for the immediate release of all hostages.
3. All human life is equal: Asserts that all human life is equal and that there has been too much suffering, including far too many deaths of innocent civilians and children.
4. Respect for international law: Reasserts UK’s commitment to the rules-based
   international order, international humanitarian law and the jurisdiction of the ICC to
   address the conduct of all parties.
5. Lift the siege: Calls on Israel to protect hospitals and lift the siege conditions allowing food, water, electricity, medicine and fuel into Gaza.
6. Prevent escalation: Requests the UK Government continues to work with the
   international community to prevent a wider escalation of the conflict in the region.
7. Right to return home: Ensures people in Gaza who are forced to flee during this conflict can return to their homes.
8. End illegal settlement expansion: Seeks an end to the expansion of illegal settlements and settler violence in the West Bank.
9. Cessation of fighting: Calls for longer humanitarian pauses to allow in aid and the
   movement of civilians as a necessary step to an enduring cessation of fighting as soon as possible.
10. Two-state solution: Seeks a credible, diplomatic and political process to deliver the
    lasting peace of a two-state solution.