Biden calls for a two-state solution

US President Joe Biden called for a “concentrated effort” from world leaders to work towards a two-state solution.  President Biden has now said, “There’s no going back to the status quo as it stood on Oct. 6, that means Hamas can no longer terrorize Israel and use Palestinians as human shields. It also means, when this crisis is over there must be a vision of what comes next, and, in our view, it must be a two-state solution”.

US Air Strikes on Syria

The US has carried out airstrikes on two facilities in eastern Syrian which are linked to militia groups which the US regards as Iranian-backed. This comes after a spike in attacks on US forces in the region by these militia groups. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, described the strikes, which were ordered by President Joe Biden, as “narrowly tailored in self-defence” but emphasised that these attacks are separate from the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Though some regard the timing of this strike as provocative, the USA claims to be deeply concern about the possibility of the Israel – Hamas conflict escalating into a broader regional conflict. Hence, the US were quick to highlight that these airstrikes in Syria had nothing to do with the on-going conflict in Gaza. Most of the Middle East views them differently however. The USA stresses that its troops in Syria and Iraq are there merely to defeat Isis (a.k.a. Daesh).

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said at the United Nations General Assembly debate on the Middle East that the US would “not be spared from this fire” if Israel’s bombardment of Gaza did not end. Iran substantially backs a number of militia groups including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and Gaza’s Islamic Jihad. It also provides limited financial backing to Hamas in Gaza (Hamas depends on donations from many sources, even using cryptocurrency to raise funds).

United Nations impasse

In the absence of any legally binding UN Security Council resolution on the Gaza war, the UN General Assembly debated the matter. Many wanted to see a cease-fire. But Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, said, “Any call for a ceasefire is not an attempt at peace. It is an attempt to tie Israel’s hands.” In the end the UN General Assembly called for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israel and Hamas. Also, “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped inside the enclave. 120 for, 14 against, 45 abstentions one of which was, perhaps surprisingly, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Britain’s Political Figures React

Rishi Sunak

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under pressure from MPs to call for an immediate ceasefire, but the Prime Minister reiterated his stance that Israel “has the right to defend itself” against brutal Hamas attacks. Rishi Sunak did recognise that humanitarian aid is badly needed in Gaza. He has announced that an RAF plane was on its way to the region with 21 tonnes of supplies, including medical equipment and water filters.

UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden stated that, “We have been foursquare behind the Israeli Government in the need to defend itself against these Hamas terror attacks, recurring. If it was in this country, and we’ve had over 1000 people murdered in cold blood, we’d expect robust action; and we have to appreciate Israel have to take action in order to protect itself. We support the robust action of the Israeli Government to make sure that it removes [Hamas]. Hamas embeds itself amongst the civilian population, exploit civilian assets, and they cannot be enabled through this kind of action. The way to bring peace to this area is to actually eliminate this massive threat in Gaza and the British Government is supportive of that”. The Deputy Prime Minister was talking on LBC radio.

Keir Starmer

Labour leader Keir Starmer has faced a backlash from MPs within his party for not calling for a ceasefire and backing Rishi Sunak’s narrative of ‘Israel’s right to defend itself’. In addition, he has been in further hot water for comments made during a radio interview with LBC, where he said Israel had a right to cut off water and electricity to Gaza. While Starmer insists he was misinterpreted, it still led to widespread anger amongst Labour MPs and voters.

This isn’t the only time the Labour leader has been criticised over his handling of the conflict. His recent visit to a mosque in South Wales where he oddly called on Hamas to release hostages held in Gaza, left many stunned as to why he would say that during a visit to a mosque. The Muslim Association of Britain said: “Keir Starmer visited a mosque and called for hostages to be released. Are the hostages being held in a South Wales Mosque?”.

Ever since Jeremy Corbyn’s demise within the Labour Party, Keir Starmer has tried to repair relations with the Jewish community as Labour under Jeremy Corbyn was accused of antisemitism. In his mission to walk this political tightrope, Keir Starmer has faced criticism from both sides, particularly from Muslim MPs and Muslim voters.

Humza Yousaf

Out of all British political leaders, Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has been the most vocal in supporting an immediate ceasefire. As is well documented, Humza’s in-laws are still trapped in Gaza and with borders closed, they are still unable to leave. Humza Yousaf has heavily criticised the UK government and opposition for not calling for a ceasefire. In a recent statement, he said, “How many more children have to die before a ceasefire is called for? We’re calling for a ceasefire. I cannot understand (Labour Party leader) Sir Keir Starmer’s position. I cannot understand the Prime Minister’s position and I ask them: How many more children have to die before you join us and join many across the world, including the United Nations, and call for that ceasefire”.

Humza Yousaf has also reiterated his support for accepting Palestinian refugees into Scotland and asked the UK government to do the same.

EU Council Summit- A Change in the Tide?

An EU council summit has taken place in which EU leaders discussed the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While most EU countries back the ‘Israel right to defend itself in line with international law’ narrative, more countries are now actively calling for a ceasefire. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has stood out among EU leaders by proposing holding an international peace conference in six months’ time to find a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Irish MEPs have also urged the council to “call for an immediate ceasefire, as well as urgent efforts to meet the humanitarian needs of people in Gaza.” Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has suggested that the EU is ‘evolving’ their position on the conflict, believing that it is “possible” that EU states could update their statement to call for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire in the future. Speaking after the summit, he said:

“If you went back two, three weeks ago, it appeared that the European Union was supporting Israel without any equivocation or qualification. That changed a week or so ago to continuing to support Israel’s right to defend itself, but emphasising the supremacy of international law, particularly humanitarian law, to yesterday 27 countries calling for a pause to allow aid to get in, and to allow citizens and hostages to get out”.

Latest Protests

Ever since Israel began its bombardment of Gaza in response to the tragic events of October 7, protests have swept across nations, particularly in the US and the UK. In the US hundreds of protesters gathered outside of Sen. John Fetterman’s Philadelphia office, criticising his pledge of support for Israel. One of the protestors, Hila Kohen, who is a member of the Jewish Voice for Peace, demanded Fetterman support a ceasefire immediately.

The UK have also had its fair share of protests in the past three weeks. There have been large rallies in cities including Glasgow, Manchester and London. In one protest in Kent more than 100 teachers, academics, healthcare providers and others unfurled giant banners outside a weapons factory reading “Workers For A Free Palestine” and “UK: Stop Arming Israel”. Despite the widespread protests, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has stood firm in his support for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.