The Situation in Gaza
Over the past year I have received an exceptionally high volume of correspondence in relation to the abhorrent situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
I feel it is prudent to share a publicly available and comprehensive response, outlining both my own and the Liberal Democrats’ position, and addressing the many concerns that constituents have raised. Please click the subheadings/links/pages below for statements on specific issues.
Situation Update (Posted 4th December 2025)
***The agreement of a ceasefire in Gaza in October was a moment of immense relief - both for the families of the hostages still held by the Hamas terror group, and for the millions of Gazans whose lives, homes and communities were devastated by the Israeli Government’s military campaign.
The Liberal Democrats are clear that this ceasefire and the accompanying peace plan represent a first step towards creating the conditions for more long-term peace. The plan is imperfect and incomplete. Yet no progress can be made without an end to the scale of violence that Gazans have experienced over the last two years.
Though there have been unacceptable violations since October, the fragile ceasefire appears - for now - to be holding. At this critical moment, it is vital that all sides exercise restraint and refrain from further violence. Maintaining the ceasefire is an essential first step towards a lasting peace and a two-state solution - the only way to provide the security and dignity which Israelis and Palestinians deserve.
The release of the living hostages has brought immense relief, but Hamas’ refusal to rapidly return the bodies of those killed in captivity is an outrage. They must release the final hostages’ bodies immediately.
Meanwhile, the people of Gaza remain in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe. Only the full, unimpeded flow of aid into the Strip can begin to ease their suffering. Liberal Democrats have been calling on the Government to apply pressure to the Israeli Government to immediately reopen all aid routes and flood Gaza with humanitarian supplies.
On 17 November, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted in favour of Resolution 2803 (2025) which authorises an International Stabilisation Force for Gaza, as well as the establishment of a Board of Peace (BoP) as a transitional administration in Gaza that will coordinate reconstruction efforts.
While this Resolution marks an important step forward - which we hope will reinforce the fragile ceasefire in Gaza - the devil is in the detail. It is also clear that the plan put forward by President Trump is incomplete. The Resolution fails to address some of the key obstacles to securing a long-term peace - including the lack of a clear plan on how to disarm Hamas, and an unwillingness to address the vital need to stop and roll-back the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem which is deliberately eroding the basis of the Palestinian state.
In response, Liberal Democrats have called once again on the Government to finally ban all UK trade with the illegal settlements - to ensure that no UK business can support the development or sustainability of the settlements.
The UK must also work with our partners to build on the UN's Resolution and set out a clear roadmap to a two-state solution.
An important part of that roadmap must include ensuring there is accountability for the horrific crimes committed in Gaza. We believe that the UK Government must pressure the Israeli Government to allow journalists and independent investigators into Gaza to gather evidence of war crimes.
Democratic reform within the Palestinian Authority is also essential to support genuine state-building in Palestine. Tackling corruption and strengthening institutions must be a priority - and the Government should use all diplomatic channels to press for this urgently.
In a statement in the House of Commons on 18th November, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Calum Miller said “we desperately need a clear road map to securing a two-state solution. That requires an end to illegal settlements in the west bank and East Jerusalem, and reform of the governance of the Palestinian Authority. How is the UK supporting reforms to the PA, and will the Foreign Secretary today commit to banning all UK trade with illegal settlements?” You can read his whole contribution here.
Calum also tabled an EDM which outlines our view on President Trump’s 20-point peace plan which I have signed. You can view it here**
With tens of thousands of Palestinians killed and 90% of the population displaced, the humanitarian situation has reached catastrophic proportions. The systematic nature of the destruction, combined with the blocking of essential aid and targeting of civilian infrastructure, raises serious concerns about violations of international law, including actions that constitute genocide and crimes against humanity under the definitions established in international legal frameworks.
Across the region, there are many families mourning loved ones, and many displaced who want to return to their homes. As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened, we’ve been the most vocal party in pushing the Government to apply more and genuine pressure to Netanyahu’s Cabinet. We continue to call for a return to a state of ceasefire, a release of the remaining Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity, ensure unhindered access for aid to enter and be distributed to those desperately in need of it in Gaza, to let displaced people return to their homes, and to continue to promote the conditions that would allow for a two-state solution that secures the long-term peace and coexistence of Israel and a Palestinian state.
In June 2025, all 72 Liberal Democrat MPs called for the recognition of Palestine – as a means to stop illegal settlements in the West Bank and the destruction of Gaza, and to show the UK’s commitment to Palestinians right to self-determination. In July, we co-signed Sarah Champion’s letter in relation to UK recognition of a Palestinian state. We therefore greatly welcome the UK’s official recognition of Palestine on 21st September 2025 as a great step forward but recognise this needs to be followed through by the Government to secure a ceasefire, end the continuous cycle of violence, and to ensure a two-state solution, all of which are the only ways to ensure a permanent end to the conflict.
We continue to call on the Government to:
- End the export of all weapons, including F-35 parts to Israel.
- Sanction Prime Minister Netanyahu and his Ministers for supporting the ever-expanding military campaign in Gaza.
- Introduce a law prohibiting trade between the UK and illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
- Reopen all humanitarian aid routes into Gaza immediately, to address the worsening humanitarian catastrophe.
- Put pressure on regional actors (in particular the government of Qatar) to influence Hamas to release the hostages immediately and unconditionally.
The current trajectory of this conflict serves no one's interests and only deepens suffering on all sides. The UK has both moral obligations and diplomatic capabilities that must be deployed urgently to help end this catastrophe and establish a pathway to just and lasting peace.
I am committed to ensuring that the UK plays a constructive role in ending the humanitarian crisis and supporting the legitimate aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis for security, dignity, and peace.