Calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire at one of UK's 'largest ever' parliamentary meeting for Palestine

The UK's All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Palestine has organised a meeting on Wednesday with several British MPs as well as Jordanian and Qatari ambassadors to the UK to discuss Israel's ferocious bombardment of Gaza.

"One of the Palestine APPG's largest ever meetings, standing room only, to hear Palestinian Ambassador [Husam Zomlot] calling for an urgent ceasefire," the APPG said on X, formerly Twitter. 

"The Group also heard from Jordan & Qatar’s Ambassadors, voicing concerns for Palestinians in Gaza & the dangers of regional escalation," it added.

The death toll from Israel's bombardment of the besieged Palestinian enclave now stands at 7,324 according to Palestinian health ministry figures, with children making up almost half of that death toll.

Palestinian ambassador Husam Zomlot said that the large numbers present at the meeting were "a testament to growing support for Palestine".

Members of U.K. parliament crowd a room in Westminster for a briefing by Palestinian and Arab ambassadors, an event organised by @PalestineAPPG. This is
a testament to growing support for Palestine and the equal application of international law for the people suffering Israel’s… pic.twitter.com/JkMGpzeogQ

— Husam Zomlot (@hzomlot) October 25, 2023

"Members of UK parliament crowd a room in Westminster for a briefing by Palestinian and Arab ambassadors, an event organised by Palestine APPG," he wrote on X. 

"This is a testament to growing support for Palestine and the equal application of international law for the people suffering Israel’s murderous bombardment."

The British-Palestine APPG is made up of MPs from all parties and says that it aims to foster "good relations and understanding between Britain and Palestine and to promote a just and lasting peace in the Middle East".

The APPG has previously urged the UK government "to stand up for international law" by ending Israel's 16-year blockade of Gaza and banning all imports from illegal Israeli settlements. Israel has now imposed a complete siege on the territory and essential fuel supplies are rapidly running out.

"It's time that the British government stood up for international law, sought action against products from the settlements - ban them in this country - and also moved towards helping to end the blockade on Gaza, which has brought such dreadful, dreadful suffering to the people of Gaza," British-Palestine APPG co-chair Julie Elliot said. 

"It's time for the British government to recognize Palestine. The time is now."

"Palestinian rights must be continually raised in the UK Parliament. It’s vital that we continue to pressure the UK government to act to end the occupation and to stand up for international law," co-chair Sayeeda Warsi said.