Gaza Strip (Conflict Response) Motion

This house recognises that:

(1) On October 7th 2023, Palestinian Military Groups, referred to as Hamas, for the remainder of this motion, conducted a large-scale terrorist offensive against Israeli cities, military installations and civilian population.

(2) 2,200 rockets were fired from the Gaza strip by Palestinian Military Groups as Hamas militants broke into Israel, with attacks since killing a reported number of at least over 900 people, including civilians at the time of writing.

(3) Both Palestinian and Israeli media sources report that Israeli civilians, including children have been taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Whereby numerous cases including violence against women and children, and massacre of civilian Israelis and foreign nationals in Israel.

(4) The Israeli state declared the situation to be one of national emergency, stating it to be war. Whereby Israeli response has notably seen further dangerous levels of escalation in retaliation to regain territory, prevent further attacks on Israeli populations and secure taken hostages.

(5) The loss of life and escalation of the situation in Israel and Palestine, to which both sides are guilty of, has reached a point of egregious concern and necessitating greater action from the International community. Analysts describe the attack as a significant escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, marking a significant departure from prior conflicts.

(6) The attacks seen via the terrorizing, killing, maiming and parading of the bodies is not at all justifiable, contravening International Law and violating fundamental Human Rights and the rule of law.

(7) Concerns are expressed that Israeli retaliation equally will see high civilian casualties, with the concern of humanitarian crisis.

(8) Concerns are expressed about disinformation being possibly utilised by both sides in controlling and changing narratives of the conflict, and generating ‘false flag’ situations.

(9) Further that the conflict has destabilizing effects globally whereby jewish people and communities are subject to targeted abuse and harassment even outside of Israel, with concerns expressed about the rise of hate crimes and domestic violence.

Therefore this House urges the Government:

(1) To join the international community and our allies in condemning the obscene violence committed by the Palestinian militants against Israeli and foreign nationals within Israel.

(2) To join the international community and our allies in condemning all acts of violence committed against all civilians as a result of the escalated tensions.

(3) To join our allies and regional actors in providing and coordinating humanitarian support by any means necessary in bringing security and stability in the region to deter further escalation.

(4) To update travel guidance and work with the Israeli Government to ensure the proper evacuation of British nationals currently within flashpoints in Israel.

(5) To join the international community in bringing fair accountability and investigation into the situation and events, denouncing all violations of international law.

(6) To nationally increase security provided in Jewish-associated sites in Britain, as concerns are expressed on the impact and tensions in foreign nations between local communities following the methods of Canada, Germany and France.

This Motion was submitted by The Right Honourable Dame u/BlueEarlGrey Marchioness of Runcorn, DBE DCMG CT and Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Liberal Democrats

Opening Speech:

Deputy Speaker,

I understand this is a particularly sensitive issue. But it is a necessity that we come together as a nation in ensuring the United Kingdom takes an active role as the recent events in Israel have taken a very concerning turn that can no longer be tolerated. The loss of civilian life is absolutely never justified. Let me be clear about that. This is a hard line that is drawn. However the recent events to come out whereby Palestinian terrorist groups have directly targeted civilian populations, parading their corpses and committing heinous counts of sexual violence against women and girls is deplorable. The Liberal Democrats stand strongly for the liberal internationalism values of peace, security and the rule of law, and the events seen raise huge concerns about the state of human rights and those values. Such reckless and inhumane actions place countless innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives at risk, with further escalation and the continuation of current events. We recognise Israel, as a sovereign state, has the right to defend itself and we support that right of any state to defend itself when subject to barbaric levels of terrorism, but we must make sure that is not manifested in a retributive and punitive manner that only leads to greater unnecessary loss of life. As we also must realise that there are foreign nationals, including those who are British who have become victims of this conflict, and as a nation we have a duty to still protect the life of our nationals at home and abroad.

Furthermore, it is important that the potential Israeli retaliation to the crimes against humanity of militant terrorist groups equally has raised concern. The response to war crimes and atrocities must not be further war crimes and atrocities. Which is why this motion aims to place great emphasis on acting in the favor of human life above all. It is important that we work with regional actors and our allies in preventing and deterring further retaliation that leads to further civilian deaths. We understand the situation in Israel and Palestine is not an ‘easy question’ to resolve and we understand that this motion alone will not actually resolve it. However, it is important that we do what we can as a nation, joining our allies, to draw firm lines. It is not a case of taking sides with nations, religions or peoples. It is a case about protecting human life and taking a stand against the chaos and senseless indiscriminate violence.

This division will end on Tuesday 31 October 2023 at 10PM GMT.