David Lammy is scheduled to request an immediate ceasefire during his discussions with Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on his inaugural visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories while serving as Foreign Secretary.
Lammy intends to advocate for the release of all captives and increased aid delivery into Gaza, declaring a new £5.5m humanitarian assistance package.
Reiterating calls for a ceasefire made by Keir Starmer to Israeli and Palestinian leaders upon assuming office as Prime Minister, Lammy emphasized the UK's aspiration for full diplomatic engagement in resolving this conflict permanently.
Criticism faced Labour for its initial stance on the conflict following Hamas attacks inside Israel which resulted in significant voting losses in some Muslim-majority areas and saw the election of four pro-Gaza independent candidates in targeted seats.
Lammy is also expected to bring up settler violence issues in the West Bank during his meeting with Netanyahu, and he will meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas as well. The aid package allocated by the UK will be distributed through UK-Med, an organization comprising NHS medical professionals who are currently working on field hospitals in Gaza and providing support at the emergency department of a hospital in Khan Younis.
"The situation in Gaza is simply unacceptable," Lammy stated before his visit. "This conflict must conclude immediately, with an immediate ceasefire agreed upon by both parties. The hostages taken by Hamas must be released without delay and aid should reach the people of Gaza unhindered."
He highlighted that it is the UK's intention to play a part in achieving a ceasefire agreement and advancing towards a two-state solution, stating: "The world requires both a secure Israel and an independent Palestinian state. It is imperative that illegal Israeli settlements be halted and settler violence curtailed."
During his time in Israel, Lammy will also meet with the President, Isaac Herzog, and individuals with family connections to the UK whose loved ones are either being held captive or have been killed by Hamas. The Foreign Secretary is expected to push for a swift increase in aid allowed into Gaza. While not explicitly endorsing unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, Lammy acknowledged that it is a right belonging to the Palestinians and expressed intentions to recognize this status as part of the peace process while condemning West Bank settlements for their illegality and detrimental effects.
Read next
"Kemi Badenoch reshapes Tories, invoking a mix of admiration and fear"
Kemi Badenoch has been emphasizing that the Conservatives have new leadership. In a TV interview marking the end of a party conference where she was a central figure, she expanded on this notion. “Your viewers will know that sometimes you have a disappointing football team,” the Conservative leader told GB
Badenoch returns to Conservative conference, markedly stronger than a year ago
A year ago, Tory MPs feared a fresh leadership revolt against Kemi Badenoch as Tories hit historic 14-16% support; November, after 12 months, was hushed: decisive challenge month. Yet, despite poor polls, “Keminisation” saw her impose style and authority.
More in Common’s Luke Tryl, director, said Badenoch holds
UK sanctions plan on illegal Israeli settlements faces criticism from US, Israel and British MPs
Today, with the agreement of Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israeli officials announced a series of countermeasures in response to new sanctions declared by the British foreign secretary of the Labour government, following a sequence of anti-Israel decisions by the same administration.
The accusations leveled today by the Labour foreign secretary,