STEPHEN Flynn said that the “collective punishment” of the Palestinian people will not be “forgotten by history” as he questioned what the UK Government would do if the promise of a ceasefire is broken.
The SNP Westminster leader said that he mourned all those who have been killed since the October 7 attacks and that his mind was with the six babies who froze to death in Gaza in December.
Flynn’s comments follow Wednesday’s news that a ceasefire agreement has been reached to pause Israel’s war in Gaza and for the release of dozens of hostages by both sides.
The proposed deal is expected to take effect on Sunday, January 19, and will allow hundreds of thousands of people displaced in Gaza to return to what remains of their homes and allow the devastated territory access to badly needed humanitarian aid.
However, the Israeli military has continued its deadly assault on Gaza despite a ceasefire deal being reached as the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that 25 people were killed by Israeli strikes overnight.
And prime minister Netanyahu, who is wanted for arrest for crimes against humanity, has pushed back a Cabinet vote on the deal, claiming Hamas has reneged on it.
Speaking in the Commons, Flynn raised the question of what the Labour Government plans to do if either side breaks their promises regarding the ceasefire agreement, and if there would be consequences.
“As we hope for this ceasefire deal and for the release of hostages, we continue to mourn all of those who've been killed since the vicious terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023,” he said.
“My mind's very much with the six little babies who didn't see this proposal because they froze to death in Gaza just a few short weeks ago and that collective punishment of the Palestinian people will not be forgotten by history, just as all of those who sat silent, who encouraged and who armed extremists in the Israeli government will be judged by history too.”
Flynn continued: “But this ceasefire deal is not yet certain. It's been widely reported this morning that the Israeli cabinet has not yet signed it off.
“So can the Secretary of State please elaborate?
“What would the consequences be for any reneging on this deal either by Hamas or indeed by the Israeli government.”
In response to Flynn’s comments Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that Israel's security in the “most toughest of neighbourhoods” was a serious issue.
He added that the UK Government raised their “concerns” whenever they felt international humanitarian law had been breached.
Lammy said: “As the Israeli cabinet meets to approve this deal, that in this most serious of moments that they hear what President-elect Trump has said about his expectations on this deal.
“That they hear a united House of Commons at this moment, and our expectations on this deal, and that they do the right thing.”
Lammy has continued to allow exports of weapons to Israel despite concluding that they could be used to breach international law, legal experts argue.
He secretly visited the country over the weekend, meeting with Israeli defence minister Gideon Sa'ar.
