UK minister praises ‘noble decision’ to donate Lucy Dee organs to save lives

Conservative minister Andrew Mitchell has praised the “extraordinary and noble decision” taken by the family of Rabbi Leo Dee to “donate Lucy’s organs, saving five lives so far, and possibly more.”

In a statement delivered in the House of Commons on Thursday, Mitchell said this “act of compassion and generosity at a moment of tragedy stands in vivid contrast to the senseless and abhorrent violence that robbed a family of its mother and two sisters.”

The minister for development and Africa added that the UK “unequivocally condemns” the murder of Lucy and her two daughters Maia and Rina on April 7th as an “act of terror.”

He said:”I know the whole House will join me in condemning the horrific murder of Lucy, Maia and Rina by terroists just over a week ago, and offer our deepest condolences to Rabbi Leo Dee and the rest of the family in their pain and grief.”

Also referencing the terror attack in Tel Aviv that same day, Mitchell said these acts had “plagued the lives of ordinary Israelis, and Palestinians for too long.”

He added:”The people of Israel deserve to live free from the scourge of terrorism and antisemitic incitement which greatly undermine the prospects of a two state solution.”

Elsewhere in his statement Mitchell also noted how there had been “numerous” terror attack in Israel and also “indiscriminate rocket, missile and drone attacks from groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza.”

He also called on the Palestinian Authority to “denounce incitement” and “resume its security cooperation” with the Israeli authorities.

But Mitchell also warned that Israel’s security forces must also “live up to their obligations under international humanitarian law.”

He said it was “all too easy for actions by one side to escalate tensions” and pointed to the “raid on the Al Aqsa mosque by Israeli forces during Ramadan and on the first day of Passover.”

Mitchell said he wished to “restate clearly the position of the British government” which supports a “negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, based on 1967 lines with agreed land swaps, and Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states.”

Responding Labour’s shadow middle east minister Bambos Charalambous said he also wished to send his “deepest sympathies” to Rabbi Dee and the rest of the family “at a time of unimaginable grief.”

He also said Labour were “deeply concerned” by escalating violence between Israeli and Palestinians this year adding it was “crucial steps are taken to reduce tensions and. avoid further escalation in the days ahead.”

A succession of MPs from across all parties condemning the recent deaths within the Dee family, and amongst Palestinians.

But Pauline Latham for the Tories, Andy Slaughter for Labour raised questions about the UK government’s approach to tackling Israel over issues such as the settlements and annexation.

For the Lib Dems Alistair Carmichael said Mitchell was at “risk of conflating” role of Israel’s sovereign government with the position of the Palestinian Authority which was “not a sovereign government.”

He said Israel had “responsibilities” to the Palestinians as an “occupying force.”

For Labour, Hilary Benn said it would take “new courageous political leadership” from Israel and for the Palestinians that was “prepared to compromise” in order to achieve peace.

The SNP’s Tommy Sheppard launched a scathing attack on the government’s position in support of Israel.

Jim Shannon, for the Democratic Unionist Party, asked Mitchell he considered Hamas to be a “terrorist orgainsation” and that boycotting Israeli goods was “abhorrent.”

The minister responded simply:”Yes.”