Hello Liz,
I am one of your constituents - I have never actually contacted an MP before, but feel so strongly about this, that I felt compelled to contact you.
Israel is committing ever-worse atrocities in Gaza and the international community seems to be standing by, silent. The actions on the ground show that the political-speak about targeting fighters and terrorists is simply not true - the majority of those being killed and injured are civilians, including children - the future generation. In the 21st century, humanity appears to permit force and death to rule - which can only lead to more hate and violence. Why is Israel allowed to do this?? Russia, which has recently been shown to have interfered with the borders and rights of another country, is subject to increasingly negative political rhetoric and sanctions. The difference between the two seems to me to be the political stance of the leaders of the United States. While the aggressive actions of Russia are (rightly) condemned, the US authorities appear happy to continue selling weapons to a country which is occupying foreign land, in breach of international law and murdering civilians.
An absence of a response is a response in itself and makes us complicit in what is taking place. The US is not the only country which can take action. In fact, a coalition of countries is capable of sending a stronger and more effective message than any one country by itself. The UK is already part of one such coalition which can wield considerable political and economic power - the EU.
Acknowledging the complexity and difficulty of the situation is important, but the nature of the right approach to take does not seem to be in question. Most of us would regard the right to life which is as free as possible from pain and fear, to form the very core and foundation of our values - justified by and through itself without the need for further explanation. These human rights are enshrined in international law. The situation in Israel and Palestine is not only causing death, distress and destruction within these countries, but is serving to promote hate, extremism and destabilisation within the Middle East region and beyond. We are teaching future generations on all sides to distrust, hate and view force as the only way of exacting change and being heard.
It makes little sense to distinguish between local, national and international issues in a globalised world - the points above should speak as potently to those who claim to be primarily concerned with the political and economic welfare of the UK, as those who take a more international perspective. Reports of British citizens who have gone out to fight in the Middle East serve as a powerful reminder of this.
The UK, together with the EU and other countries, can and should act to:
- clearly condemn the war being waged on the civilians of Palestine
- wield all possible political and economic power, including sanctions, to stop the violence and work towards a real and long-term solution to problems within the region.
As your constituent, I would like to ask you to pass on the message above to those who make these important decisions. I do not seem to be only person to hold these views. I am extremely lucky to have access to a political system through which I feel that the expression of my views can make some degree of difference, small as it may be. Whether for moral reasons or those related to self-interest, working towards this right for all, a clear international consensus on acceptable standards of warfare, and political and economic consequences for those who breach these, should surely form the founding principles and goals of any government. I call on the UK government to observe these.
Kind regards,
Marta
