John Glen's reply regarding the vote on the ceasefire motion on Wednesday

Posted: 21st February 2024

Dear Peter,

Thank you so much for your email – I really appreciate you taking the time to write and share your concerns with me for the conflict in the Middle East. The world mourns the significant loss of civilian life in the war. Hamas has committed unspeakable crimes and Israel has the right under international law to act in self-defence to remove the continued threat of this terrorist organisation.

However, I want to assure you that the loss of civilian life weighs enormously on the shoulders of my colleagues and me. The UK Government continues to work with our partners around the globe through a multi-lateral diplomatic effort to enforce upon Israel the necessity that they act to limit civilian casualties, and act in accordance with their international and Geneva Convention obligations.

What we see is that Hamas continue to endanger civilian lives by using civilian infrastructure as bases for operations, to launch projectiles, and to store weapons.

This Government believes in a sustainable ceasefire once Hamas is removed from power in Gaza. At the moment, Hamas has stated it has no interest in a peaceful solution and would attack Israeli civilians again at the first opportunity. Only by addressing this threat is a two-sided ceasefire possible. Until then, we believe it is necessary to help facilitate an immediate humanitarian pause to help get aid into Gaza. This will be the first step in what I am sure will be a long process to resolution.

I want to make clear that the UK remains committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it. We are getting on with aid delivery, funding multiple implementing partners including other UN agencies and international and UK NGOs. This support is helping people in Gaza get food, water, shelter and medicines.

The commitment to trebling aid to Gaza still stands and the UK will continue to support the United Nations World Food Programme to deliver a new humanitarian land corridor from Jordan into Gaza. 750 tonnes of life-saving food aid arrived in the first delivery and 315 tonnes in the second delivery.

Funding alone is not enough, and The UK Government is also working closely with partners including the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Egyptian and Israeli Governments to try to help the people of Gaza. Indeed, the UK played a leading role in securing the passage of UN Security Council resolution 2720, which made clear the urgent demand for expanded humanitarian access. Moreover, Ministers are lobbying the Government of Israel to allow more aid in and reduce the numerous constraints that are hindering many aspects of the UK’s and others’ efforts to help Gazan civilians.

Thank you very much.

Very best, 

John

Peter Gloyns


[email protected]

Dear John Glen MP, 

On Wednesday 21st February, parliament will vote on whether or not to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. There is no acceptable excuse for MPs to do anything but vote in favour of this.

The ongoing slaughter in Gaza is insufferable. As your constituent, I remind you that we are in an election year – and that the public are closely monitoring how MPs will vote on Wednesday. This is an issue close to the heart of the electorate, and I urge you and your colleagues to do everything in your power to end Israel’s massacre of Palestinians.

Well over 28,000 Palestinians have now been killed – almost half of them children. The entire population is living with crisis-level hunger. Over 70% of buildings and infrastructure has been destroyed. The International Court of Justice has ruled there’s a plausible case that Israel is committing a genocide against Palestinians, and has ordered legally binding provisional measures to stop the killing and ensure humanitarian assistance is provided. Third states – such as the UK – have a legal obligation to uphold these orders. This can only be achieved by supporting an immediate and permanent ceasefire now, which I ask you to vote for on Wednesday.

Shamefully, the position of the UK has instead been to continue supplying Israel with weapons – in clear contravention of its own Strategic Export Licensing Criteria given that the highest court in the world has ruled there’s plausible evidence Israel is committing genocide. The government has also chosen to suspend funding to UNRWA, the principle international agency providing humanitarian aid and upholding the rights of Palestinian refugees.

This couldn’t be more urgent. I ask you to take immediate action by:

• Voting for an immediate ceasefire on Wednesday 21st February, and against any amendments that seek to water down this urgent demand.
• Calling on the government to suspend all arms sales to Israel, and begin steps to end the bilateral arms trade.
• Demanding the government reinstates funding to UNRWA, and increases UK aid to Gaza.

I would appreciate a response on how you will vote on Wednesday.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Gloyns