The letter, organised by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, was sent to Foreign Secretary David Lammy last week. It expresses alarm over Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz’s proposal to move civilians into a camp on the ruins of Rafah, a plan the MPs say amounts to ethnic cleansing.
Writing on Facebook, Antoniazzi said:
“With my colleagues, I have written to the Foreign Secretary calling for him to take immediate steps against an Israeli plan to force all residents of Gaza into a camp on the ruins of Rafah. We also call for the immediate recognition of the Palestinian state.”
The MPs’ letter cites comments from Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard, who described the relocation plan as “an operational plan for crimes against humanity.” The MPs argue that the UK’s failure to recognise Palestine undermines its stated commitment to a two-state solution and risks enabling the “effective erasure and annexation of Palestinian territory.”
The letter outlines five key demands:
- Immediate recognition of the State of Palestine
- Continued support for the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)
- Diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas
- Full resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza
- A review and restrictions on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank
The intervention comes amid growing international pressure. During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron called for coordinated recognition of Palestinian statehood, describing it as “the only path to peace.”
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office responded:
“We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state and to doing so when it will have most impact in support of a peace process. We continue to provide lifesaving aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and to work closely in support of the Palestinian Authority.”
The UK Government has not yet formally changed its position on Palestinian statehood, maintaining that recognition should come “at the point of maximum impact.”
