Back from West Bank – George steps up campaign for Middle East peace
West Cornwall MP, Andrew George, was detained before being permitted entry to Israel and was confronted with guns as he attempted to monitor the daily reality of “extreme segregation and discrimination” for Palestinians living in the West Bank last week. An account is attached. Also some photos from his visit to the region.
Andrew said:
“Last week it was my privilege to visit the West Bank and Israel, at the invitation of human rights’ workers and to follow up work I’ve been doing in Parliament pressing the case for a peaceful solution to the conflict there.
“Constituents continue to contact me, distressed by the worsening crisis in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel. Many want to see the UK playing a more constructive role: supporting peace, securing the release of hostages, and helping bring this devastating conflict to an end.
“Some argue Britain should stay out of it. But we can’t ignore history. The UK helped shape today’s Middle East. We’re a key UN member, a trading partner, (disappointingly) an arms supplier, and have strong ties – personal and diplomatic – to both Israelis and Palestinians.
“Last week, I visited the region with Shockat Adam MP, hosted by an NGO promoting peace in the Middle East. Although I was sent back at Tel Aviv Border Control and detained, after contacting the Consulate, I was eventually allowed in after a short wait. What I witnessed was sobering.
“The International Court of Justice has deemed Israel an apartheid state. I don’t feel qualified to make such judgement, but I can confirm I witnessed extreme segregation and discrimination. There are broadly two communities of people, living unequal lives – one with rights, freedoms, and access to services; the other with restrictions, no right to vote for the government controlling their lives, and daily hardship.
“Seeking peace after decades of conflict can only work if it benefits both Israelis and Palestinians. Achieving this will require political change and herculean diplomatic effort.
“Peace can’t come until this inequality ends. I proposed a Two-Stage Solution:
- Full democratic rights – votes for all
- A truth and reconciliation process
“This must be the foundation for future peace.
“I’m urging the UK Government to:
- Support equal rights for all
- Apply pressure (including sanctions) until Israel takes a path toward peace
- End all arms licenses
- Recognise equal rights to statehood for both peoples
- Stop trade with Israel’s illegal ‘settler’ communities
- Sanction extremists on both sides – Hamas and Israel’s extremist Ministers”.
Andrew and his Independent Alliance MP colleague – Shockat Adam – will now press UK Ministers for more urgent action to address these issues.