David Lammy visits Israel and the West Bank
He is meeting with politicians including Isaac Herzog after calling for a “longer pause” to the conflict to alleviate the “shocking humanitarian emergency” in Gaza.
Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy is making Labour’s first visit to Israel and the West Bank since Hamas’s atrocity sparked a full-scale war.
In Israel, he will meet with politicians including president Isaac Herzog after calling for a “longer pause” to the conflict to alleviate the “shocking humanitarian emergency” in Gaza.
Lammy will also meet with the Palestinian Authority’s deputy foreign minister Amal Jadu in the West Bank.
Sir Keir Starmer has been battling a rift in his party, with eight frontbenchers having resigned to defy his position and vote in the Commons to support a ceasefire.
From Israel, Mr Lammy criticised the international allies for failing to realise the threat posed by Hamas ahead of the October 7 bloodshed.
The shadow foreign secretary urged them to “learn the lessons of decades of failure to resolve this conflict”.
He said political leaders have been complacently “content with the delusions of wishful thinking” while failing to work for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
Lammy also stressed that “diplomacy is how we can secure the release of hostages” while protecting Palestinians, as Israel carries out a ground assault.
“Hard diplomacy is required with all governments in the region to deliver a longer pause immediately to respond to the shocking humanitarian emergency in Gaza, secure the release of hostages so cruelly taken by Hamas and as a necessary step to an enduring cessation of violence,” he said.
LFI Director Michael Rubin said:”It’s hugely important that David Lammy has made his second visit to Israel as shadow foreign secretary. We share his emphasis on the need to support Israel after the atrocities of 7 October and address the humanitarian emergency in Gaza.
“As Keir Starmer and David Lammy have both said, a permanent solution to the conflict will require a laser-like focus by the international community on promoting two states for two peoples and ensuring Israel’s security.”
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