16 May 2015
The next five years will see a
number of important anniversaries for Palestine: The 100 year anniversary of
the 1917 Balfour Declaration; 50 years since the start of the Israeli
occupation in 1967; and the 70th anniversary
of the Nakba. With a new government in place in the UK, and growing support for the recognition of the Palestinian
State, we have the opportunity to make 2015 – 2020 the Parliament of
change for the UK’s dealings with Israel and Palestine.
You can help by emailing or
writing to your MP and asking them to ensure that they ensure that the health
and dignity of Palestinians, a recognition of Palestinian statehood, and a just
settlement for Palestinian refugees is put at the heart of British foreign
policy in relations with Israel and Palestine for the coming Parliament.
Contact your MP
You can find your MP's contact
details here, and a suggested text for you to amend is
below. Please do let us know if you get any responses - info@map-uk.org.
Dear [MP NAME]
I am a constituent of yours living at
[YOUR ADDRESS]. I would like to [welcome you/welcome you back] to your role as
MP for [YOUR CONSTITUENCY].
The UK election result, coming just days
after confirmation of the new ruling right-wing coalition in Israel,
highlighted the important role of the UK in its relations with Israel. Last
March, in an effort to capitalise on divisions and insecurities within Israel,
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed a Palestinian state is “no longer
relevant” and re-stated his belief that "anyone who moves to establish a
Palestinian state and evacuate territory gives territory away to radical
Islamist attacks against Israel." These statements are in direct
contravention of the only internationally recognised path to peace.
It is undeniable at this time that the
two-state solution, and the peace process as a result, is under threat.
Spiralling conflict in the region and the ongoing occupation of Palestine is
increasing the pressure on the delivery of healthcare in Palestine, as well as
for Palestinians living as refugees, and is putting both Palestinians and
Israelis in an increasingly insecure situation. UK recognition of the State of
Palestine is an essential first step towards bringing the UK in line with the
majority of states around the world, enabling discussions to take place on an
equal footing, reducing tensions and pushing for constructive, lasting peace
talks.
Last year 274 MPs gave a clear statement of
support for UK recognition of the state of Palestine by supporting a motion in
Parliament to urge the government to “recognise the state of Palestine
alongside the state of Israel” as part of a “contribution to securing a
negotiated two-state solution.” This continuing trend before the election among
Prospective Parliamentary Candidates and the inclusion of pledges in all party
manifestos on this issue, makes clear that recognition of the State of
Palestine must be one of the first priorities for the next government.
It is essential for the UK, as a key power
in Europe and therefore with substantial influence in Quartet discussions, to
once and for all recognise the State of Palestine in order to prevent a
backward slide away from peace.
In addition to the urgency of UK
recognition of the State of Palestine, at the end of the last
Parliament, 101 MPs signed EDM 827 calling for Parliamentary access into
Gaza as a requirement for accountable UK aid spending and informed debate in
Parliament. The 2014 Gaza War greatly exacerbated the humanitarian
situation in Gaza and the recovery has simply not happened. Gaza relies on
British and international aid agencies for food, water and housing needs and
the most recent figures show that more than 100,000 people are still internally
displaced and not a single home has been rebuilt.
I urge you as my representative in
Parliament to make the health and dignity of Palestinians one of your
priorities for this Parliament and to visit Palestine and learn more about this
issue through the Britain-Palestine All Party Parliamentary Group.
Your sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
7 comments:
Or the people of Scotland could stay out of it and concentrate on ridding their country of foodbanks and child poverty.
Is their a backhander somewhere for you in supporting palestine Terry? The labour way.
Anonymous said...Sunday, May 17, 2015 4:38:00 p.m.
You as a mean selfish small minded parochial Scottish nationalist can ignore the suffering of others from inside your pathetic tartan bubble but that people of Scotland are bigger than you are.
Will Jim Murphy be supporting the Palestinians now that he isn't representing Newton a earns any mor?
Surely as the much loved leader of Labour in Scotland he should be at the forefront of such campaigns?
Anonymous said...Monday, May 18, 2015 7:34:00 p.m.
I am printing this to let people see the kind of racist filth which crawls around the snp.
Murphy was a member of some radical Zionist group was he not. How can this sit with being a Labour member.
I don't know what pro Israel groups he is a member of other than The Labour Friends of Israel so he is pro Israel and the snp are racists and fascists so what's new?.
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