In August I joined some parliamentary colleagues for a short visit to Israel and the West Bank.
Given the current circumstances it was a rather intense and at times emotional trip where we were exposed to a very wide range of views and opinions. We met with government and opposition, Israelis and Palestinians. We went to the Kerem Shalon aid crossing into Gaza, the Nir Oz kibbutz and Nova Music festival site which were attacked on 7 October - and also the Golan Heights and Ramallah in the West Bank (part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories). We also met with former hostages and family members of hostages.
We also spent time with representatives from the Druze community who are facing a very difficult situation in Syria at the moment which has not received as much international attention as it should.
I have visited Israel on four occasions and the occupied Palestinian Territories twice. I always leave with more questions than answers but this was a useful and impactful visit to an area of the world that many of my constituents care deeply about and contact me frequently about. I was fortunate to be in a position to express sympathies to those who have been impacted by the recent conflict as well as have frank conversations with our Israeli friends on issues such a preventing civilian casualties and humanitarian aid.
Constituents will know I have stood up for Israel in the past and will continue to do so - but not blindly and not without strong messages. The human stories and images I saw on this trip will stay with me for ever. The terrorist threat of Hamas must be defeated (they have openly admitted they would do another 7 October style attack again whenever they have the capability and want to wipe Israel off the map) - but all actions must take place under international humanitarian law. And it is important to recognise that Hamas does not represent nor have the sympathies of all Palestinians. Far from it.
I would like to thank CFI for arranging the visit and for facilitating access to such a wide variety of stakeholders with such a wide range of views.
