New UK FM reiterates need for ceasefire, says aid has to enter Gaza
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During an interview in Berlin, Lammy says it was time for "the United Kingdom to reconnect with the outside world."
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Britain's incoming Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs David Lammy leaves Downing Street in London, on July 5, 2024. (AP)
Britain seeks a "balanced approach" to the Middle East, particularly the Israeli war on Gaza, and will employ diplomatic efforts to ensure a ceasefire and the release of Israeli captives take place, the UK's new Foreign Secretary David Lammy said.
Lammy is in Germany for his first overseas tour since the Labour Party's landslide victory in Britain's election on Friday, which overturned 14 years of Conservative control and brought Keir Starmer to power as prime minister.
During an interview in Berlin, Lammy expressed that it was time for "the United Kingdom to reconnect with the outside world," explaining that he hoped for a "balanced position on Israel and Gaza. We’ve been very clear that we want to see a ceasefire… We want to see those hostages out.”
The "fighting has to stop, the aid has got to get in, and I will use all diplomatic efforts to ensure that we get to that ceasefire," Lammy affirmed.
Starmer pledged to "rebuild Britain" as he assumed office on Friday following Labour's massive general election victory. "Now, our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal, and the return of politics to public service," he stated in his inaugural speech.
Starmer detailed that "the work of change begins immediately, but have no doubt, we will rebuild Britain."
Lammy aims for UK foreign policy reset
Britain's new Foreign Secretary David Lammy is promising to reset relations with the European Union and work for a ceasefire in Gaza while also aiming to strengthen ties with Donald Trump's Republican Party, despite calling him a "woman-hating neo-Nazi sociopath."
While his goals originally in the election campaign were domestic, Lammy has a list of foreign challenges.
Labour has stated that long-term peace and stability in the Middle East will be an immediate priority. It has agreed to recognize a Palestinian state as part of a revitalized peace process aimed at achieving a "two-state solution".
In a US visit in May, Lammy expressed Labour would cooperate with the US and find "common cause" with Trump, citing that "I do not believe that he is arguing that the U.S. should abandon Europe. He wants Europeans to do more to ensure a better defended Europe."
Lammy repeated his support for international efforts to establish an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza, as well as the release of all Israeli captives. He vowed that he would "get to work with tireless diplomacy" to achieve those two goals.
"All of us recognize the agony of communities who have seen the scenes coming out of Israel and Gaza," Lammy remarked. He also vowed he would do everything he could to support US President Joe Biden's efforts for a ceasefire.
In May, Biden suggested a road to a peace arrangement, which he said "Israel" had proposed. It featured an initial six-week truce, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza's population centers, and the release of Israeli captives.
