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Sayeeda Warsi was right to resign over Gaza Sayeeda Warsi was right to resign over Gaza
(14 days later)
The past month has seen the continuation of Israeli air strikes and ground raids in Gaza, along with repeated rocket fire from Gaza into southern Israel. These are appalling and inexcusable acts of violence on both sides. With more than 1,800 confirmed dead – one in four of them reportedly children – and more than 9,000 injured, the conflict is causing unimaginable suffering for the innocent. This week saw the shelling near a third UN school housing displaced civilians in Gaza. As a husband and father, watching the news has become unbearable. The past month has seen the continuation of Israeli air strikes and ground raids in Gaza, along with repeated rocket fire from Gaza into southern Israel. These are appalling and inexcusable acts of violence on both sides. With more than 1,800 confirmed dead – one in four of them reportedly children – and more than 9,000 injured, the conflict is causing unimaginable suffering for the innocent. This week saw the shelling near a third UN school housing displaced civilians in Gaza. As a husband and father, watching the news has become unbearable.
At times like this, it is everyone’s responsibility to do what we can to stop the suffering. For thousands of ordinary Britons this has meant donating millions of pounds to the many charities helping those in desperate need in Gaza. The generosity of my constituents in Tooting, and people across Britain, has been truly inspiring.At times like this, it is everyone’s responsibility to do what we can to stop the suffering. For thousands of ordinary Britons this has meant donating millions of pounds to the many charities helping those in desperate need in Gaza. The generosity of my constituents in Tooting, and people across Britain, has been truly inspiring.
Our political leaders have an even greater responsibility: to stand up and say what is right and to use every means at its disposal to put pressure on both sides to cease the slaughter. Yet the British government’s lack of leadership on the catastrophe in Gaza has been appalling. David Cameron has been silent while the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza have led to death, suffering and hardship. His and other ministers’ failure to criticise Israel directly is startling.Our political leaders have an even greater responsibility: to stand up and say what is right and to use every means at its disposal to put pressure on both sides to cease the slaughter. Yet the British government’s lack of leadership on the catastrophe in Gaza has been appalling. David Cameron has been silent while the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza have led to death, suffering and hardship. His and other ministers’ failure to criticise Israel directly is startling.
By contrast, the Labour party has repeatedly condemned the escalation of violence and the ground invasion into Gaza by Israel. Ed Miliband has said that the prime minister is “wrong not to have opposed Israel’s incursion into Gaza” – and that Cameron’s inability to acknowledge the killing of hundreds of innocent civilians is inexplicable to people across Britain and internationally.By contrast, the Labour party has repeatedly condemned the escalation of violence and the ground invasion into Gaza by Israel. Ed Miliband has said that the prime minister is “wrong not to have opposed Israel’s incursion into Gaza” – and that Cameron’s inability to acknowledge the killing of hundreds of innocent civilians is inexplicable to people across Britain and internationally.
On Tuesday Sayeeda Warsi resigned as Foreign Office minister, saying the government’s response to the situation in Gaza had been “morally indefensible ... not in Britain’s national interest and will have a long-term detrimental impact on our reputation”. I haven’t always agreed with Lady Warsi, but I think her decision to make a stand on this issue and speak up for the British public is genuinely courageous. On Tuesday Sayeeda Warsi resigned as Foreign Office minister, saying the government’s response to the situation in Gaza had been “morally indefensible ... not in Britain’s national interest and will have a long-term detrimental impact on our reputation”. I haven’t always agreed with Lady Warsi, but I think her decision to make a stand on this issue and speak up for the British public is genuinely courageous.
Like Warsi, I want the government to be much clearer to both sides about the unacceptability of its actions. With the current, tentative ceasefire in place, it is more important than ever that we see principled and consistent leadership from our government. As Ed Miliband has said, British ministers must work with the international community to re-establish meaningful negotiations to achieve a two-state solution.Like Warsi, I want the government to be much clearer to both sides about the unacceptability of its actions. With the current, tentative ceasefire in place, it is more important than ever that we see principled and consistent leadership from our government. As Ed Miliband has said, British ministers must work with the international community to re-establish meaningful negotiations to achieve a two-state solution.
And Warsi must be listened to when she says, “our response to [Gaza] is becoming a basis for radicalisation that could have consequences for us for years to come”. The government’s failure to criticise Israel’s incursion is not just a moral failure – it goes directly against Britain’s interests in the world and risks making our citizens less safe as a result.And Warsi must be listened to when she says, “our response to [Gaza] is becoming a basis for radicalisation that could have consequences for us for years to come”. The government’s failure to criticise Israel’s incursion is not just a moral failure – it goes directly against Britain’s interests in the world and risks making our citizens less safe as a result.
What is particularly galling about the government’s position is that it is the exact opposite of what David Cameron has said in the past. In 2006, when almost 1,000 people died during Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon, he was quick to condemn Israel’s actions. Why will he not to do so now? What has changed?What is particularly galling about the government’s position is that it is the exact opposite of what David Cameron has said in the past. In 2006, when almost 1,000 people died during Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon, he was quick to condemn Israel’s actions. Why will he not to do so now? What has changed?
Warsi has done a brave thing in speaking out, and her resignation will be a big loss to David Cameron’s overwhelmingly male, white, wealthy and privately educated cabinet. I sincerely hope that the prime minister reflects on Warsi’s resignation, and when it comes to the crisis in Gaza, change his approach.Warsi has done a brave thing in speaking out, and her resignation will be a big loss to David Cameron’s overwhelmingly male, white, wealthy and privately educated cabinet. I sincerely hope that the prime minister reflects on Warsi’s resignation, and when it comes to the crisis in Gaza, change his approach.