British Palestinians with families in Gaza ask government to call for cease-fire

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Palestinians living in the UK with family members in the Gaza Strip have sent a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak demanding a meeting with him and asking him to call for an urgent cease-fire.

The letter, written on their behalf by Tayab Ali, the director of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), was announced during a press conference Monday in central London organized by the ICJP.

Sunak has previously held similar meetings with other British communities who have families in the region.

Citing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza with recent statements by international non-governmental organizations and UN agencies, the letter pointed out that "humanitarian law is not being upheld by Israel, as it is clearly violating the 'Principle of Distinction,' the 'Principle of Precaution' and the 'Principle of Proportionality.’”

"These violations put our loved ones in Gaza under severe danger, and it has resulted in us losing family members,” it said, noting that civilian infrastructure has been targeted by Israel, which "constitutes collective punishment."

Recalling the government's stance on refraining from calling for a cease-fire despite all their efforts, the letter said that instead, British officials have called for "humanitarian pauses, which are inadequate in protecting our family and loved ones in Gaza."

"We call upon the UK government to urgently exert its influence to secure a cease-fire in Gaza and to ensure the urgent and adequate provision of food, fuel, medicine and other humanitarian assistance to Gaza," it said.

The letter also called for the unconditional restoration of water and electricity, the protection of medical facilities and the facilitation of safe passage for the seriously injured and those requiring treatment abroad, including in the UK.

The families also demanded that their families in Gaza be permitted to immediately apply for the UK resettlement scheme.

"As British Palestinians with families in Gaza, we request an urgent meeting with you to express our concerns, similar to the meetings you have had with other British communities who have families in the region who have experienced distress similar to ours as a result of the conflict between the Israeli government and Hamas," it added.

As the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip entered its 38th day, at least 11,180 Palestinians have been killed, including over 7,700 children and women, and more than 28,200 others have been injured, according to the latest figures by Palestinian authorities.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is nearly 1,200, according to official figures.