Ed Davey calls on government to sanction Netanyahu over Gaza ‘ethnic cleansing’
At PMQs the Lib Dem leader says Israel plans to lock up entire population of Gaza in a 'giant prison'
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called for the UK to sanction Benjamin Netanyahu after claiming the Israeli Prime Minister wanted to “lock the whole population of Gaza into a giant prison, a plan that would clearly amount to ethnic cleansing.”
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Davey initially praised a report from the Board of Deputies’ Commission on Antisemitism, chaired by Lord Mann and Dame Penny Mordaunt, which set out 10 recommendations to tackle the “appalling scourge” of anti-Jewish racism.
But he then turned to the situation in Gaza saying the world was “looking on in horror at the scenes.”
Davey then accused Israeli ministers of planning ethnic cleansing in Gaza, and asked whether Keir Starmer agreed that “this is utterly appalling and unacceptable.”
He then called on the UK to “make clear to the Israeli Government that the UK will not stand by and will act, starting by sanctioning Prime Minister Netanyahu himself.”
In response the PM said he was “appalled” by the reports of more Palestinian civilians being killed whilst trying to access aid.
Starmer said the UK raised concerns with Israel “regularly” and that in relation to civilian deaths “I would expect them to be fully and transparently investigated with full accountability for any failings.”
Israel, added Starmer “must clearly put in place measures that properly protect civilians in line with international law.”
The PM said that alongside an immediate ceasefire the government wanted to see the remaining hostages released, aid to enter into Gaza at speed and for a political process to open.
Starmer also committed to responding in full to the recommendations of the Board’s report on antisemitism.
Davey had earlier said: “I know the Prime Minister will agree that the shocking rise of antisemitism we have seen since Hamas’s October 7 terror attacks has no place in our society.
“British Jews should not have to live in fear of hatred, racism and abuse on our streets or online.
“A new report from the Board of Deputies’ Commission on Antisemitism, chaired by Lord Mann and Dame Penny Mordaunt, has set out 10 recommendations to tackle this appalling scourge.
“Will the Prime Minister study this report and will his Government respond to it in full?”
Responding, Starmer said:“Yes, we will.
“And we must fight antisemitism wherever we find it, as we must fight all hate offences, crimes and incidents wherever we find them.”
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