The events we have witnessed in Gaza and Israel are deeply upsetting.
On Wednesday, the SNP tabled an amendment to the King's Speech, calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East. Like you, I want the loss of innocent lives to stop. However, this is not the moment to call for a ceasefire when neither side has any intention to observe one and when Hamas has made it clear that they will continue with 7 October-like attacks and massacres for as long as possible. For this reason, I voted against the amendment.
You can read the debate HERE.
The Labour Party also decided not to support the SNP's amendment. In a letter to her constituents, Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, said: "Yesterday's vote was never going to make a ceasefire happen", and she went on to say that the SNP tabled the amendment to create division, "This [the amendment] was a deliberate attempt to create division".
The Prime Minister and Keir Starmer have come to the House of Commons several times to put on record their support for Israel and Britain's commitment to Palestinian civilians who are suffering terribly. Palestinian civilians are also the victims of Hamas, who embed themselves in the civilian populations. You can read the Prime Minister and Keir Starmer's statements HERE.
Too many lives have been lost, and the humanitarian crisis is growing. We must continue working together to get more humanitarian support into Gaza.
I welcome the limited opening of the Rafah crossing. It is substantial progress and a testament to the power of diplomacy. But it is not enough.
The government has committed £30 million of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza - a substantial contribution.