Cameron prepares stern warnings for 'Israel' ahead of Gantz meeting

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
6 Mar 2024 11:04
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David Cameron will meet Benny Gantz in the upcoming hours on Wednesday, after the latter arrives from the United States.

British Foreign Minister David Cameron addresses a Security Council meeting on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine, at United Nations headquarters, on February 23, 2024. (AP)

British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Prime Minister David Cameron is set to convey the UK's growing frustration over the insufficient delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza during a meeting with Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz in London on Wednesday.

Cameron emphasized "Israel's" responsibility as the occupying power to fulfill its duty under international humanitarian law and ensure the necessary aid reaches the people of Gaza.

He highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, warning of the imminent risk of famine and disease outbreaks, with people dying from hunger and preventable diseases, due to Israeli policy regarding the delivery of aid to the Strip.

"Too many items are sent away because they’re supposedly dual-use goods. Some of these things are absolutely necessary for medical and other procedures. And we also need to see a resumption of electricity and water to north and south Gaza," the top British diplomat said.

Cameron pointed out the UK government's repeated requests to "Israel", urging the expansion of permitted humanitarian assistance and the restoration of electricity and water supply to both north and south Gaza Strip. Like requests made by the United States and France, these demands have gone unanswered by Israeli authorities, shedding light on the fragility of Western diplomatic influence on the Israeli occupation.

"We’ve had a whole set of things we’ve asked the Israelis to do, but I have to report that the amount of aid they got in February was about half what they got in January," he added. "So patience needs to run very thin, and a whole series of warnings need to be given, starting with the meeting I have with minister Gantz when he visits the UK tomorrow."

The British Foreign Secretary directly addressed "Israel's" breach of the rules of war, emphasizing its accountability as the occupying power, while calling for the removal of the Hamas leadership from Gaza, along with dismantling its infrastructure for a sustainable long-term ceasefire.

He also insisted that the UK recognizing Palestine as a state "should [not] happen" in the meantime.

"I don't think that should happen when we're starting the process because I think that takes all the pressure off the Palestinians to reform, but it shouldn't have to wait till the end."

He also criticized the current American policy, asserting, "We shouldn't give Israel a veto power, which is the effect of the American policy at the moment. Recognition can become part of the unstoppable momentum we need to see towards a two-state solution."

It is worth noting that the UK failed to support three resolutions for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Cameron's forthcoming meeting with Gantz comes after the latter met with top officials in the United States, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's extreme discontent. Gantz's tour came under scrutiny from Netanyahu who believes that "Israel has only one prime minister" and that his colleague's actions have crossed clear red lines.

On the other hand, the British Foreign Secretary looked to present his concerns to Gantz while the Israeli occupation continued to massacre Palestinians, of which it has killed upwards of 30,000 and wounded 72,000 others, while thousands remain missing.