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Foreign affairs committee chair claims Israel has ‘duty’ to turn back on supplies in Gaza
Conservative MP Alicia Kearns also calls for Israel to reopen Rafah border crossing in Gaza again 'because the Egyptians can't because it was bombed by Israel'
The Conservative chair of the influential foreign affairs select committee has claimed Israel has “a duty” to turn back on water and electricity in Gaza.
In a series of comments that appeared to stray from the government’s official line of unflinching support for Israel, Alicia Kearns said she believed Israel had an obligation “under international humanitarian law” to make sure people were able to access medical aid and support.
Speaking to LBC presenter Andrew Marr, Kearns also called for Israel to reopen the Rafah border crossing again “because the Egyptians can’t because it was bombed by Israel.”
She called for the UK with to “be a friend” with “our partners Israel” to push to re-open the border again, because the MP said that was also how British national still in Gaza, including doctors, could be taken out of the war zone.
Kearns added:”No-one else can turn the water apart from the Israelis and they do have a duty under international humanitarian law, I believe.
“They control the airspace of Gaza, the coastal access, and they have blockaded it.”
"Israel has a duty to turn on water and electricity."
Conservative MP @AliciaKearns tells @AndrewMarr9 that Israel need to follow their duties 'under international humanitarian law,' and says for the UK to continue its support 'they need to stop the siege.' pic.twitter.com/N9xFfAVolT
— LBC (@LBC) October 12, 2023
In a series of social media posts Kearns also tweeted:”Surveillance aircraft are an important way to support our friends in Israel.
“Whether it be tracking transnational weapons shipments, or identifying terrorist movements.”
But in another post, which did not specify that country it was directed at, Kearns tweeted on Thursday:”White phosphorous use in densely populated civilian areas is a war crime. Why?
“Because it effectively rains down fire, because of how indiscriminate it is, and because it is so very difficult to extinguish.
“It sticks to skin and burns deep, even through human bone and metal.”
While I totally condemn, as does the Government, the original Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. I also share obvious concerns about the proportionality and possible legality of the proposed Israeli response.
— Sir Roger Gale (@SirRogerGale) October 13, 2023
Sir Roger Gale, the Conservative MP for North Thanet also tweeted:”While I totally condemn, as does the Government, the original Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. I also share obvious concerns about the proportionality and possible legality of the proposed Israeli response.”
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