The group of independent MPs accused the Government of aiding ‘genocide’ and called for the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu for ‘war crimes’
January 16, 2025 10:42
Jeremy Corbyn and MPs elected on a “pro-Gaza” platform at the last general election failed to mention Hamas or the hostages held by the terror group in a statement welcoming a ceasefire in Gaza.
In a statement released on Wednesday night, the MPs said: “Over the past 15 months, human beings have endured a level of horror and inhumanity that should haunt us forever. Home by home, hospital by hospital, generation by generation – we have witnessed a genocide, aided and abetted by governments across the world, including our own”.
Free Palestine. pic.twitter.com/lqt5YdMvpU
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 15, 2025
Without mentioning Hamas, the atrocities carried out by the terror group on October 7, 2023 or the hostages they hold, the five MPs vaguely stated that: “The announcement of a ceasefire will bring welcome and vital respite to survivors, as well as relief to all those who will be reunited with friends and family.”
They also called on the government to “cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court in pursuit of justice against all those who have committed war crimes” which they said, “includes complying with orders for arrest warrants, handing over all intelligence, and facing accountability for its own complicity in genocide.”
The so-called Independent Alliance weren’t the only MPs to fail to mention Hamas or the hostages.
Leeds East MP Richard Burgon, currently suspended by Labour for voting against the government, posted on X yesterday: “We now have to push for it to become a permanent ceasefire, for an end to the occupation and for the recognition of a Palestinian state. And we must continue to ensure that those responsible for Israel's war crimes face justice.”
Today's ceasefire announcement is a huge relief.
— Richard Burgon MP (@RichardBurgon) January 15, 2025
We now have to push for it to become a permanent ceasefire, for an end to the occupation and for the recognition of a Palestinian state.
And we must continue to ensure that those responsible for Israel's war crimes face justice.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the agreement between Israel and Hamas.
“It will be a huge relief to hostages and their families who have been through the most awful of times. It’s really important they’re released just as quickly as possible, he said.
On a trip to Kyiv, his first since taking office, Starmer told British broadcasters: “There will be relief for the very many Palestinians who have suffered hugely as well. This must be used to get desperately needed aid in, at scale and at speed.”
Starmer also re-emphasised his long-standing aim of helping to secure a two-state solution “a viable Palestinian state and a safe and secure Israel”.
“We’re working with those in the region and our allies to make sure that this welcome news is enduring news and we’ll be putting all of our efforts into that”, the Labour leader said.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy is set to provide a further update on developments in the Middle East to MPs via a statement in the House of Commons later today.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Hamas has reneged on parts of the ceasefire agreement announced on Wednesday to extort last-minute concessions, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced on Thursday.
"The Israeli Cabinet will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement," according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s office.