Commons vote: SNP call for Ceasefire for Gaza

The crunch Commons vote later today, Wednesday 21^st February 2024,  has potential to be a vital turning point for the UK Government in respect of the ongoing Palestinian crisis.

Almost 30,000 people have lost their lives since the current offensive began in October, with a catastrophic humanitarian crisis unfolding under ongoing violence. In a region where the average age is just 17 years old, the impact and scale of the conflict cannot be underestimated. The Palestinian people are also now facing extreme food shortages with limited aid getting through and continued displacement.  Local infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and refugee camps, has been completely destroyed and 2.2 million people are on the brink of famine.

The Health Ministry for Palestine has stated (19/02/24) that the total number of fatalities has now reached 29,092 since the start of the war of which, around two-thirds of those killed were women and children. More than 69,000 Palestinians have been wounded and many more are missing.  As of 17 February, up to 1.7 million people (over 75 per cent of the population) have been displaced across the Gaza Strip (UNRWA).

This Wednesday 21st February, the SNP-led motion will call for an immediate ceasefire to the conflict. The Labour party leader Sir Keir Starmer has also now (20/02/24)  issued a statement calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” and further Labour spokesperson “ we need a massive humanitarian aid programme for Gaza.”

MCF calls upon the Government to stand firm and back the growing public call for an end to the conflict and to release funding to vital humanitarian agencies on the ground. To prevent further suffering and loss of life, permanent aid corridors must be established and protected.