British lawmakers have strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza‘s healthcare system and referred to as for the instant launch of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital detained by Israel for practically two weeks now.
Speaking to Anadolu, John McDonnell, an unbiased MP for Hayes and Harlington, criticized Israel’s actions and the UK’s weak stance in opposition to them, emphasizing that mere condemnation and requires a cease-fire are inadequate.
“Yes, we need a cease-fire immediately, but also we’ve got to bring these war criminals to justice at some stage,” McDonnell stated, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and different Israeli leaders.
He decried the Israeli navy’s persevering with assaults on healthcare employees, colleges, and civilian amenities, labeling these acts as clear violations of worldwide legislation.
“Netanyahu is a war criminal. He’s bombing hospitals. He’s detaining doctors, health workers. He’s killing children. He’s bombing refugees, supposedly in secure zones,” McDonnell stated.
“These are war crimes, and there is a need to bring these war criminals to justice.”
On Abu Safiya‘s detention by Israel, McDonnell described the hospital director as a “hero.”
“We know he’s been arrested by the Israelis. We’re demanding his immediate release and calling upon Keir Starmer, as the prime minister of this country, to demand that also,” he stated.
“Otherwise, this country becomes complicit in that war crime because that’s what it is.”
– ‘ABSOLUTELY APPALLING AND HEARTBREAKING’
Richard Burgon, an unbiased MP for Leeds East, echoed these calls for, urging the UK authorities to take decisive motion.
“The UK government needs to demand his (Abu Safiya’s) release instantly,” he advised Anadolu.
“The scene of Dr. Hussam being confronted by Israeli army tanks in the rubble of a hospital is absolutely appalling and heartbreaking … He should be released now … Our prime minister, our foreign secretary (David Lammy) need to demand Dr. Hussam’s release, and demand it now.”
Burgon added that the physician’s plight is emblematic of the broader struggling Israel has inflicted on Gaza over the previous 15 months, the place its ongoing assault has killed or wounded practically 150,000 Palestinians, most of them ladies and kids.
Israel’s navy assaults have decimated virtually all civilian infrastructure, together with healthcare amenities, leaving over 1 million displaced Palestinians going through famine, illness, and crippling starvation.
Israel is going through a genocide case on the International Court of Justice, whereas the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for warfare crimes and crimes in opposition to humanity.
– ‘END DOUBLE STANDARDS AND ARMS SALES’
Both McDonnell and Burgon additionally reiterated their demand for the UK authorities to right away halt arms gross sales to Israel, emphasizing that these weapons are getting used to commit human rights abuses and warfare crimes.
“We’re saying to this government now: end all arms sales and do it immediately,” McDonnell stated.
Last September, practically a 12 months into Israel’s assault on Gaza, the British authorities introduced it was suspending 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel after a evaluate revealed a transparent threat that UK-supplied arms may be used to facilitate critical violations of worldwide humanitarian legislation.
These suspended licenses embody elements for navy plane, helicopters, drones, and floor concentrating on methods. However, UK elements for the F-35 fighter jet program stay excluded from the suspension, one among a number of the explanation why the federal government’s transfer was criticized as weak and ineffective.
Burgon additionally raised the problem of sanctioning Israel: “I am calling on the UK government to end all arms sales to Israel, including the F-35 components, and impose extensive sanctions on Israel.”
He identified that the British authorities has demonstrated its capacity to behave decisively in response to worldwide crises, citing the sanctions imposed on Russia.
“Enough of the double standards. We want action from our government to push Netanyahu into a cease-fire, save lives, and end the war crimes,” he stated.
Source: www.anews.com.tr