Gaza ceasefire vote newest – protesters in Parliament forward of debate
Protesters are due in Parliament forward of a tense debate about whether or not the UK ought to name for a ceasefire within the Middle East.
Campaigners queued to get into Parliament with plans to stage a mass foyer in Westminster right this moment. A mass foyer is when numerous folks contact their MPs and members of the Lords to rearrange to satisfy with all of them on the identical day. Thousands of demonstrators are later as a result of rally in Parliament sq. this afternoon.
MPs might face a collection of votes this afternoon triggered by the SNP’s demand for a right away ceasefire within the area. Keir Starmer’s social gathering has put ahead its personal modification calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire”.
But complicated Parliamentary guidelines imply Labour’s proposal might not be heard after the Government put ahead its personal modification. The debate will happen as 1000’s of pro-Palestinian demonstrators are anticipated to participate in a rally in Parliament Square.
It follows a extremely uncommon intervention by the Prince of Wales, who known as for preventing to finish “as soon as possible” and elevated humanitarian help for Gaza. The same movement tabled by the SNP in November noticed 10 shadow ministers and parliamentary aides insurgent to again a right away ceasefire, with 56 Labour members defying a three-line whip and backing an modification to the King’s Speech.
Follow our liveblog for the most recent on the controversy and the protests in Parliament
Israeli strikes throughout Gaza killed no less than 67 Palestinians in a single day
Israeli strikes throughout Gaza killed no less than 67 Palestinians in a single day and into Wednesday, together with in areas the place civilians have been informed to hunt refuge.
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al-Balah says it acquired 44 our bodies after a number of strikes in central Gaza. Associated Press reporters noticed the our bodies arriving in ambulances and personal autos.
Also Wednesday, the help group Doctors Without Borders stated that two folks have been killed when a shelter housing workers within the Gaza Strip was struck throughout an Israeli operation in an space the place Palestinians have been informed to hunt shelter.
“While particulars are nonetheless rising, ambulance crews have now reached the positioning, the place no less than two relations of our colleagues have been killed and 6 folks wounded. We are horrified by what has taken place,” the group said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
More than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed, Gaza’s Health Ministry estimates. The war began when Hamas-led militants rampaged into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage.
World would be ‘right’ not to forgive the UK if it failed to stop Israel action in Rafah
Ahead of the debate, Labour frontbencher Lisa Nandy said the world would be “proper” not to forgive the UK and others if the international community fails to avert a “humanitarian disaster” in Rafah.
Appearing on Sky News this morning, she said failing to back her party’s motion on a ceasefire in Gaza would mean “we can have missed a possibility to place ahead a severe proposal that allies Britain with our worldwide allies and permits us all to talk with one voice at this vital second”.
She added: “Our chief concern, our solely concern is to avert what’s about to occur in Rafah. If we stand by and permit it to occur, the world won’t forgive us and they are going to be proper to not.”
Angela Rayner explains why she can’t cast her vote
An update on today’s votes. pic.twitter.com/3zPEIBP52S
— Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) February 21, 2024
What are the four amendments that MPs could vote on?
There are four amendments put forward today. The rival proposals submitted to MPs are:
- The original SNP motion calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas and “an finish to the collective punishment of the Palestinian folks”.
- Labour’s amendment calling for an immediate ceasefire, emphasising this involves both sides agreeing to lay down their arms and the return of all hostages taken by Hamas, and calling for a diplomatic process for achieving a two-state solution and a lasting peace.
- The Government amendment saying ministers want an “rapid humanitarian pause” in the fighting before supporting “strikes in direction of a everlasting sustainable ceasefire” that involves Hamas freeing all hostages and relinquishing control of Gaza, and international efforts to create a two-state solution.
- A Liberal Democrat amendment calling for an “rapid bilateral ceasefire”, the discharge of hostages and a two-state answer with Hamas not in energy.
