Egypt Daily News – In a significant move within British politics this week, 60 Members of Parliament from the opposition Labour Party have signed a letter calling on the UK government to take immediate steps to halt an Israeli plan to relocate Gaza residents to the southern city of Rafah and to recognize the State of Palestine without delay.
The letter, addressed to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, was sent in response to recent statements by Israel’s Defense Minister expressing intentions to evacuate all Palestinian civilians from Gaza to temporary camps in war-ravaged Rafah. The MPs described the proposed action as a form of “ethnic cleansing,” warning that it could amount to a “crime against humanity.”
The signatories emphasized that silence on such developments undermines the UK’s commitment to a two-state solution and emboldens ongoing policies of annexation and exclusion. The letter stated that failure to respond decisively weakens Britain’s credibility and influence in advancing peace.
The MPs outlined four key recommendations in their letter:
- An immediate halt to UK support for Israel’s plan in Rafah.
- The restoration of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
- Active efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
- Immediate formal recognition of the State of Palestine.
One of the most contentious proposals included in the letter is a call for a trade ban on products originating from Israeli settlements in the West Bank—an action that would represent a significant shift in the UK’s foreign policy stance.
This parliamentary initiative coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to London, during which he called for an unconditional and immediate ceasefire in Gaza and reiterated that joint recognition of Palestine was the only viable path to lasting peace in the region.
While the UK Foreign Office has previously committed to recognizing the State of Palestine “when the time is right,” it has not specified a timeline, saying only that recognition should come at the moment of greatest diplomatic impact and ideally in coordination with international partners.
The Labour MPs’ letter marks the first collective, transparent appeal from within Parliament that includes the names of the signatories, highlighting growing divisions within the UK political establishment over how best to respond to the escalation in Gaza.
Among the notable signatories are MPs Sarah Owen and Liam Byrne, as well as several members of key parliamentary committees. The letter was coordinated by the Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, a group within the party advocating for Palestinian rights and a just resolution to the conflict.
