UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Foreign Office Minister Anneliese Dodds condemns any forced efforts to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, advocating for their right to return and rebuild the area.
In her speech to the House of Commons, Ms Dodds described Gaza’s ongoing dispute as a “living nightmare” for its residents, with countless lives, homes, and family members lost.
What did Anneliese Dodds say about the Palestine conflict?
She told the MPs,
“The UK is clear that we must see a negotiated two-state solution, with a sovereign Palestinian state that includes the West Bank and Gaza, alongside a safe and secure Israel, with Jerusalem as the shared capital.”
Ms Dodds urged the release of all Israeli hostages still in Hamas custody and called for increased financial aid for Gaza. The foreign minister stated that the government’s priority is to “maintain the delicate ceasefire” and establish a path toward sustainable peace.
She stressed that Palestinians should have the legal right to shape Gaza’s future, with assistance from regional and international allies.
Addressing the issue, Ms Dodds made it clear that Britain would not support any actions to move Palestinians in Gaza to neighbouring Arab states, insisting that Gaza’s territory must remain intact.
The minister emphasised that it is their right, protected by international law, to return and reconstruct the regions affected by the war.
What did Labour MP Andy McDonald urge Keir Starmer on Gaza?
Speaking in the Commons, Andy McDonald, who raised the urgent question on the Middle East, referenced 16 months of conflict, nearly 50,000 Palestinian lives lost, and a brief ceasefire.
Mr McDonald called newly elected president Trump’s remarks on taking over Gaza and moving Palestinians to nearby states “reckless and dangerous.”
He argued that Donald Trump’s comments have
“emboldened” Israel’s defence minister to “propose further displacement of Palestinians from Gaza,”
which is fueling fear and tension among the Palestinian population in the Middle East.
A Labour MP slammed the Israeli actions in the West Bank, which have resulted in civilian deaths while targeting terror groups.
While admitting the need for good ties with the US, he stressed that allies must be honest with each other, urging the UK to use its influence.
What did Keir Starmer say about Gaza?
During a Prime Minister Questions session on 5 February, Keir Starmer stated that Palestinians should “be allowed home” following Donald Trump’s proposal to remove people from the Gaza Strip and put the region under US control.
However, Sir Keir refrained from directly condemning the US president’s plan. He highlighted that the primary focus for the ceasefire is its long-term continuation, the safe return of hostages, and urgent aid delivery to Gaza.
How did the UK’s foreign secretary, David Lammy respond to Trump’s proposal for Gaza?
Mr Lammy stressed that the UK did not back Trump’s plan, but he began his response at a press conference by commending the US president for his efforts to rebuild Gaza.
He reiterated that Britain is committed to a two-state solution, with a focus on ensuring that Palestinians have the opportunity to live and prosper in Gaza and the West Bank, which remains the ultimate target.
What is Trump’s proposal for Gaza?
The American president has revealed a controversial proposal to assume control of the Gaza Strip after the relocation of Palestinians. His plan has raised concerns about potential support for ethnic cleansing.
At a press briefing with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Trump stated that Palestinians wish to leave, hinting at a US plan to take long-term control of the territory and rebuild the area into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
How did the Palestinian President respond to Trump’s plan?
The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, firmly rejected Donald Trump’s idea of US governance over Gaza and the relocation of its 2.1 million residents.
Mr. Abbas issued a warning, stating,
“We will not allow the rights of our people… to be infringed on,”
Reiterating that Gaza is
“an integral part of the State of Palestine”
And that any effort to displace its people would be a violation of international law.