UK MPs Call on Starmer to Address Trump’s Remarks on Gaza

Thomas Edwards | 6th February 2025 | Uncategorised
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A cross-party motion signed by more than 30 MPs has been tabled in Parliament, urging the Labour government to take a firm stance against U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks on Gaza

The motion, introduced by Labour MP Richard Burgon, calls on the government to "unequivocally reject" Trump's proposals and to "take action to oppose efforts to forcibly displace and ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza." It also reaffirms that the forced transfer of people from occupied territories is prohibited under international law, "regardless of their motive."  The motion has the backing of notable Labour MPs such as Diane Abbott, Mother of the House, and former Shadow Education Secretary, Rebecca Long-Bailey. Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to explicitly reject Trump’s statement that the U.S. will "own Gaza" and that Palestinians have no alternative but to leave. Lammy Under Fire for Weak Response The motion comes in the wake of comments by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who agreed with Trump that Gaza is "lying in rubble" but insisted that Palestinians must be able to "live and prosper" in their homeland. However, Lammy stopped short of condemning Trump's remarks, drawing criticism from opposition figures who say the government has failed to take a strong enough stance. ‘Absolutely Appalling’ Green Party MP Ellie Chowns warned that the "forced movement" of Gaza’s population would constitute "ethnic cleansing" and urged the British government to "respond in the strongest terms condemning Trump's reckless remarks." Independent MP Shockat Adam also denounced Trump’s comments as "absolutely appalling," warning they confirmed fears that "extreme elements" in Israel "want to ethnically cleanse Gaza." Trump's Shocking Remarks During a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Trump stunned the world by declaring: "I don’t know how [Palestinians in Gaza] could want to stay. It’s a demolition site. It’s a pure demolition site." As of August 2024, Israel had destroyed 80 percent of Gaza’s buildings, a policy widely viewed by observers as an intentional effort to render the area uninhabitable for Palestinians. Trump went on to suggest: "If we can find the right piece of land or numerous pieces of land and build them some really nice places, with plenty of money in the area, that’s for sure, I think that would be a lot better than going back to Gaza, which has had just decades and decades of death." Growing Pressure on Labour The parliamentary motion directly rejects Trump’s vision for Gaza, stating: "This House rejects the proposals for Gaza from US President Donald Trump." Critics argue that failing to challenge Trump’s statements could embolden policies of forced displacement and set a dangerous precedent in international law. 📸 Image by Noam Galai / Shutterstock...

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