News from Sheffield Labour

Labour politicians call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Labour’s Paul Blomfield, Clive Betts MP and Linda McAvan MEP have today called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Following a special discussion on Gaza by the Executive Committee of Sheffield Labour Party Paul Blomfield, Chair of Sheffield Labour Party and Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Sheffield Central, said:

“The appalling Israeli attacks on UN compounds in Gaza that killed so many innocent civilians highlight the urgency for the international community to bring all pressure to bear to achieve an immediate and sustainable ceasefire. There is clearly a growing and increasingly desperate humanitarian crisis in Gaza so the fighting must stop and the borders opened to let in medical supplies, food and aid.”

Clive Betts MP, who is one of 100 MPs to sign a statement demanding an end to the military action in Gaza, said:

“We call for an immediate ceasefire by all parties and for an embargo on the supply of military equipment to both sides. The international community must also assert unambiguously that there is no military route to peace in the Middle East and redouble its efforts to create a secure and independent state of Palestine alongside a secure and independent Israel.”

Linda McAvan MEP said:

“I and my colleagues in the Socialist Group in the European Parliament have been shocked and appalled by the news from Gaza. Today we have formally called for an immediate ceasefire and for humanitarian aid to be allowed freely into the affected areas. The EU’s High Representative, Javier Solana, is on his way from Egypt to Israel and then Turkey to represent the European Union. He has repeatedly made clear the view of the EU: that Hamas rocket attacks are to be condemned, but that the response of the Israeli government is unacceptable, will worsen an already terrible humanitarian situation, and make it more difficult to find the lasting, peaceful solution that is so needed.”

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