UK pro-Palestine MPs press new FM David Lammy on Gaza ceasefire, Israel sanctions

Five newly elected independent UK MPs have jointly written to new Foreign Secretary David Lammy to urge the government to recognise a Palestinian state and impose sanctions on Israel over its war on Gaza. 

The letter, obtained by various news outlets on Friday, was signed by former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed.

Describing the war on the enclave as a "catastrophic situation", they demanded the government "immediately suspend" arms sales to Israel.

They also urged Lammy to impose sanctions on those "inciting genocide against Palestinians". 

The letter continues by suggesting that the British government should "consider the possibility" of broader sanctions against Israel and halt discussions on a UK-Israel trade agreement. 

The MPs demanded  immediate recognition of a Palestinian state and recommended that the UK use its influence on the UN Security Council to advocate for a ceasefire and the deployment of a peacekeeping force in Gaza. 

The MPs stressed that UK diplomatic efforts should focus on the "prompt release of all hostages" and securing an "immediate and sustainable ceasefire".  

Amid recent speculation that the new government aims to drop the UK's legal bid to delay the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision on whether to issue arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, the MPs call for Britain to formally cease its opposition. 

Additionally, they said the UK should "immediately restore and increase" funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and to publicly demand that Israel comply with International Court of Justice rulings regarding its actions in Gaza. 

"We urge you to implement these actions as crucial steps towards the alleviation of a catastrophic situation in Gaza and fulfil the obligations of the United Kingdom under international law," the letter concluded. 

All five independent MPs came together for the first time since their successful wins in the 4 July general election, after campaigning on pro-Palestine platforms.

Backed by campaign group The Muslim Vote, which mobilised the Muslim voters around candidates outside the Labour and Conservative parties, the newly-elected lawmakers now aim to keep Palestine on the agenda in parliament.

Corbyn, who has served as the MP for Islington North in London for over 40 years, secured his seat once again, but notably, this time he did so as an independent, having lost his Labour affiliation.  

In a surprising turn of events, Jonathan Ashworth, who was anticipated to play a key role in Keir Starmer's government, was defeated in Leicester South by independent candidate Shockat Adam.  

Starmer's Labour Party has been criticised for its gradual approach to calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.  

While Labour has pledged to recognise a Palestinian state, it has yet to provide a clear timeline for when this will happen. 

Israel’s offensive on the besieged enclave has led to the killing of 38,443 Palestinians killed since 7 October, while an additional 88,481 have been wounded in the same time frame.