Overwhelming majority in Britain demands ceasefire in Gaza: Webbe

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
22 Dec 2023 04:58

Claudia Webbe, a member of the UK Parliament, tells Al Mayadeen that there is no excuse or justification for the role Britain is playing in the war in Gaza.

Claudia Webbe, a member of the United Kingdom Parliament, during an interview with Al Mayadeen.

Claudia Webbe, a member of the United Kingdom Parliament, said on Friday that "Israel" is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, confirming that she has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in this regard.

Webbe told Al Mayadeen that Britain can play a significant role in a ceasefire, wondering the reason the British government is not taking action.

She highlighted that the overwhelming majority of British society wants a ceasefire, but the political leadership is not responsive, recalling that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the British government do not demand a ceasefire and claim that "Israel" has the right to defend itself.

"Israel is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, that's why I filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC)."

- Member of the United Kingdom Parliament, Claudia Webbe to #AlMayadeen.#Palestine #Gaza https://t.co/NfsNz2EQyb
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 22, 2023

Webbe called for not forgetting the Balfour Declaration and Britain's role in it when it was a colonial entity.

The member of the UK Parliament described the official British position and the Labour Party's stance as "disgusting and shameful," pointing out that the Labour Party acts on the basis that it will take over the government in the next stage, so it seeks to maintain relations with Washington.

She emphasized that Britain is a "follower" of the United States, confirming that there is no excuse or justification for the role Britain is playing in the war in Gaza. Regarding the US-Israeli relationship, Webbe considered that the United States needs "Israel", which plays the role of a guard in the Middle East.

"The overwhelming majority of British society wants a ceasefire, and Britain can play a major role in this matter, but the political leadership is not responding to these demands."

- Member of the United Kingdom Parliament, Claudia Webbe, to #AlMayadeen. https://t.co/KcRr1Nl9kz
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 22, 2023

Elsewhere, Webbe called for an immediate cessation of Israeli aggression on Gaza and the lifting of the siege on the Strip, insisting on her continued support for Gaza by participating in pro-Palestine protests staged in Britain.

It is noteworthy that last month, Sunak asked Conservative MP Paul Bristow to step down from his post as the parliamentary private secretary to Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan after calling for a "permanent" ceasefire in "Israel's" war on Gaza.

Bristow had cautioned against "collective punishment" of Palestinians in Gaza and urged Sunak to support a "permanent ceasefire" in order to "save lives and allow for a continued column of humanitarian aid [to] reach the people who need it the most" in a letter he addressed to the PM.

A couple of days ago, Webbe officially filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC), urging an inquiry and prosecution for "Israel's" war crimes in Gaza.

In a parliamentary session, Webbe declared that the complaint addresses genocide and crimes against humanity committed by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people.

Expressing her refusal to be complicit in "Israel's" daily perpetration of war crimes against Palestinians, Webbe underscored the extensive devastation resulting from "Israel's" bombardment of Gaza.

"Collective punishment is a war crime, forcible transfer of the population is a war crime, indiscriminate bombing and the use of white phosphorus on civilians – now confirmed by Amnesty International – is a war crime. I will not be an accomplice," she stressed.

Despite the UK government's calls for humanitarian "pauses" in the fighting, Sunak has not called for an outright ceasefire, touting his support for "Israel" verbally as well as in a visit to the Israeli occupation entity.

A Downing Street spokesperson revealed that Bristow was asked to step down from his post due to his comments not being in line with "the principles of collective responsibility."