LONDON: Israel\u2019s actions in Gaza are \u201cappalling and intolerable,\u201d the UK Prime Minister Keir Starter said on Wednesday amid growing international pressure to stop the slaughter of Palestinians.<\/p>\n
Aid agencies and governments around the world have all condemned the killing of dozens of Palestinians this week as they tried to access food distribution sites in the decimated territory.<\/p>\n
It follows growing opposition in Europe to Israel\u2019s military campaign, with the UK, France, Germany and Italy becoming increasingly critical of Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s government.<\/p>\n
\u201cIsrael’s recent action is appalling, and in my view counterproductive and intolerable, and we have strongly opposed the expansion of military operations and settler violence and the blocking of humanitarian aid,\u201d Starmer told MPs.<\/p>\n
He said the UK and its allies were considering sanctions against Israel and that his government had already suspended talks on a free trade agreement.<\/p>\n
That step was announced after the UK, France, and Canada issued a joint statement last month threatening “concrete actions\u201d against Israel if it did not halt its military operation in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid into the territory.<\/p>\n
France and Saudi Arabia are organizing a UN conference this month about a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel. France has already said it is considering recognizing the Palestinian state during the conference.<\/p>\n
Starmer did not answer whether the UK would follow suit and recognize a Palestinian when asked in parliament Wednesday.<\/p>\n
However, Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer told MPs that the government was reconsidering its position on Palestinian statehood, The Guardian reported.<\/p>\n
Falconer said he was “appalled” by the killings of Palestinians this week as they gathered to approach a new aid distribution hub.<\/p>\n
“We call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events for the perpetrators to be held to account,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Dozens of MPs from both the main political parties have signed letters in recent months calling for Palestine to be recognized.<\/p>\n
Starmer is facing fierce criticism from within his own Labour Party to take a tougher line on Israel.<\/p>\n
Labour MP Paula Barker said history “will not be kind” to his government unless action is taken.<\/p>\n
\u201dWhat more evidence do we need to call this exactly what it is? A deliberate policy of annexation and genocide,” she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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