Saturday 7th October 2023 will be remembered as one of the darkest days in Jewish history since the Holocaust. The world watched in horror as so many thousands of innocent people were brutally murdered. Innocent civilians were indiscriminately targeted, mutilated, tortured, and murdered by Hamas terrorists. Men, women, children and infants who’s lives were cruelly taken or changed forever.
Young people at a music festival were massacred, and others were abducted from the safety of their own homes. As the days passed, distressing accounts emerged of rape, torture, and atrocities beyond anything we could comprehend.
Their pain is shared by all of us, and a year later, that collective sorrow has not diminished.
Yet the strength and resilience of these families shines through.
Their determination to honour those they lost is unwavering, and our commitment to bringing home the hostages remains as strong as ever. We will not stop until every person held hostage is safely returned.
One year on, I continue to stand united with the Jewish community here in Cardiff East, across Wales and around the world. We must never turn a blind eye to hatred and violence, no matter where it arises.
Since taking office, the UK Labour Government has led international calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, the protection of civilians, the release of hostages and the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis.
We acted quickly to restore UK funding to UNRWA after the last Tory government had suspended it and provided £5m in new funding for UK-MED field hospitals in Gaza and a further £6 million for UNICEF’s work to support families bereaved in this conflict. We have also committed an additional £10m to support thousands of people who have been displaced and impacted by the expansion of conflict into Lebanon.
We have also made clear that we respect the role and independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and call on all those involved in the conflict to implement its decisions.
The UK’s robust export licensing criteria states that the Government cannot issue export licences for weapons and other items where there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of International Humanitarian Law.
Following a review, this government has concluded that a clear risk does exist. This means we are legally obliged to suspend export licences for items that could be used in the current conflict.
Alongside our allies, we have repeatedly made clear to the Israeli government our deep concerns regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Lebanon.
We are working in lockstep with our allies to de-escalate tensions and urge all parties to end the destructive cycle of retaliatory violence.
The fighting must stop and efforts towards a two-state solution must begin with a safe, secure Israel alongside a viable, sovereign Palestinian state.
As we commemorate this painful anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to securing peace.
Our resolve remains strong to secure the release of those still held hostage, support those in need, and work toward a brighter future for the Middle East.
You can read all my previous statements on the conflict in the Middle East below: