Firstly, on the recent International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) verdict on South Africa’s application concerning the state of Israel’s violations of the UN Genocide Convention in relation to its attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, the ICJ confirmed that there a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza. This ruling merely confirms what we already know, and I believe the UK and US has a clear obligation to suspend arms sales in Israel and push for an immediate ceasefire. Friday’s ICJ judgement is the first part of the court’s process, and I will continue to follow the case.   

I have continued to work tirelessly to pressure the UK Government to address the humanitarian crisis and support calls for a ceasefire.   

I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know the most recent action I have taken to show my continued support for an urgent, immediate, and sustainable ceasefire.  

• I wrote to the Foreign Secretary and spoke in the House of Commons urging the Government to take the strongest possible action against the Israeli Ambassador following his deplorable comments on LBC radio. Read my letter here.  I also spoke in the House of Commons about this issue urging the government to condemn the continuing use of language that endorses genocide against Palestinians. Watch here.  
• I signed an EDM calling on the Government to urge Israeli authorities to accept the need to de-escalate the cycle of violence following the alarming reports of the death of over 85 journalists and other media reporters in Gaza. While EDMs hold no real political power to force the Government to change their policies, I felt it was important for me to reiterate my calls for concern.  
• I presented a petition to Parliament calling on the Government to use its position as a global power to urge the Israeli Government and Hamas to top this horrible ordeal, call for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, and work towards a two-state solution. My Petition to Parliament for a Ceasefire in Gaza – Afzal Khan 

I will continue to do everything in my powers to advocate for a long-lasting, peaceful two-state solution.  

You can view my ongoing work in the Commons on this issue and others by visiting my website here.