Ceasefire, sanctions, UNRWA funds: First 11 demands of Britain's new pro-Gaza MPs

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Five British MPs elected on a pro-Palestinian platform have made 11 demands to the new Labour government to cut ties with Israel and address the "catastrophic situation" in Gaza.

The five independents, including exiled former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, called for urgent action in a joint letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Their first demand is for Britain to "immediately suspend" arms sales to Israel, with Mr Lammy also urged to put sanctions on those "inciting genocide against Palestinians".

Britain should also "consider the possibility" of wider sanctions against Israel and pause talks on a UK-Israel trade agreement, the letter says.

It calls on the UK to recognise a Palestinian state "with immediate effect" and use its role on the UN Security Council to push for a ceasefire and a peacekeeping force for Gaza.

Diplomatic efforts by the UK should seek the "prompt release of all hostages" and an "immediate and sustainable ceasefire", Mr Lammy is told.

With Labour mulling its position on the International Criminal Court case against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the MPs want Britain to drop its opposition.

Finally, they say the UK should "immediately restore and increase" funding for aid agency UNRWA, and publicly urge Israel to abide by International Court of Justice rulings about its invasion of Gaza.

It is the first sign of Mr Corbyn and fellow independents Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed working as a bloc after stunning Labour at the general election.

Despite its landslide election win, Labour suffered a staggering loss of support in heavily Muslim areas that were once ultra-safe seats for the party.

The five successful MPs said in their letter that voters had chosen them "in part, to represent their concerns regarding the continuing catastrophic situation in Gaza".

"We urge you to implement these actions as crucial steps towards the alleviation of a catastrophic situation in Gaza, and fulfil the obligations of the United Kingdom under international law," they said.

Mr Mohamed, who was elected in Dewsbury and Batley, this week told The National that he would stand down if Labour helps bring about peace in Palestine.

Several more seats were close, with British-Palestinian candidate Leanne Mohammed losing by just 528 votes to new Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Mr Corbyn, who was suspended by Labour in 2020 for playing down an anti-Semitism scandal that dogged his leadership, retained his Islington North seat as an independent.

Where Labour stands

Labour has several times called for a ceasefire in its first week in office, including in a call between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mr Netanyahu.

"Now we are in office it is our solemn duty to play our full part in resolving the conflict, which has to end. There must be a ceasefire," Mr Starmer said during his first international engagement, the Nato summit in Washington.

Mr Starmer also described statehood as the "undeniable right of Palestinians" in a call with President Mahmoud Abbas, although he has set no timeline for recognition.

Asked whether he would be willing to act on recognising Palestine before the US, he said: “So far as our policy is concerned, I’ll determine our policy, not follow anyone else.”

The UK has been granted a two-week extension to consider its position on the ICC case, after the previous Conservative government argued the court had no jurisdiction.

Mr Lammy is "closely considering resuming UK funding to UNRWA", Britain's ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward, told a pledging conference in New York.

The new Foreign Secretary has signalled he is open to reviewing British arms exports to Israel but there has likewise been no official policy shift.

The government could face a further test on Gaza within days, after Labour backbencher Zarah Sultana said she would seek a debate at next week's State Opening of Parliament.

Ms Sultana said she would table an arms ban amendment after the King's Speech, in which the monarch reads out Labour's legislative programme.

Her amendment would almost certainly be defeated in any vote but a further debate could expose divisions among Labour's 411 MPs.