MP speaks out against Israeli government’s latest plans for Gaza
07/05/2025
Sean Woodcock says the UK government should recognise the state of Palestine as part of a path to peace
Banbury’s MP has spoken out against the Israeli government’s planned actions in Gaza. Sean Woodcock called for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages still in the strip. He also called out the actions of the Israeli government in breaking the ceasefire, preventing aid reaching Gaza and their expansion of military operations.
Mr Woodcock said he felt the UK government should recognise the state of Palestine as part of a path to peace.
On Monday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video on X. In Hebrew he said that Israeli Defence Force operations would now extend across more of Gaza, with tactics no longer involving short raids, implying that Israel would now hold the ground it takes.
Yesterday in the House of Commons, the Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, said that Israeli plans could include a full military occupation of the entire Gaza Strip with Prime Minister Netanyahu saying that Gaza’s population would be moved “for its protection”.
More than 52,000 people have now been killed in Gaza and Israel has blocked the entry of humanitarian aid for over two months. The World Food Programme says their food stockpile has been exhausted.
Yesterday evening Sean Woodcock issued a statement highlighting his position.
Mr Woodcock wrote: “Yesterday’s statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the expansion of Israeli operations in Gaza, threats of civilian displacement and seizure of yet more Palestinian land is completely unacceptable.
“Hamas continuing to hold hostages remains an abhorrent breach of international law and those hostages should be immediately released.
“However, the actions of the Israeli government in breaking the ceasefire, prevention of aid reaching Gaza and the expansion of military operations does nothing for the hostages or their families.
“It only guarantees the continued suffering of the Palestinian people.
“We need a ceasefire alongside the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages with a return to negotiations.
“I also believe that the recognition of Palestinian statehood is something that the United Kingdom government should do as a step along the long road to peace.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
Derek Evans On 08/05/2025 at 5:21 pm
Woodcock hasn’t condemned the UK’s continued support (Intel, munitions, spare parts for F35’s) used to murder Palestinians. The UK is complicit, the Labour Party is complicit and so are those MP’s who don’t demand a complete disengagement from the Israeli apartheid regime.
Austin Dante On 11/05/2025 at 9:20 pm
Totally agree derek.
A very strong and accurate statement!