As I am sure you will have all seen in the news recently, the situation in Gaza has worsened significantly and I wrote to William Hague this week calling for intervention. Here is a copy of my letter;

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Rt Hon William Hague MP

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Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

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Foreign Office

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LONDON

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PALESTINE SITUATION

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I write on behalf of hundreds of constituents and myself with regards to the dreadful situation in Gaza and ask that you intervene immediately to put a stop to innocent people being killed by the indiscriminate bombings.

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We were all shocked by the murder of three Israeli teenagers and the subsequent alleged revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager. However, the proper process of the rule of law must be invoked to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. What this does not justify is the collective punishment of Palestinians in the West Bank or Gaza.

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We are witnessing the killing of hundreds and the injuring of thousands as a result of the violence that has been sparked by these events.

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This is yet another clear violation of international law that the international community seem to be slow at wishing to condemn or, indeed, find a ceasefire and solution.

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I have often been in the House of Commons chamber when you have spoken of the narrowing window of opportunity to see a two state solution in the region due to the increased building of Israeli settlements. Can I politely remind you that these settlements are also illegal under international law and there is a plethora of UN resolutions to this effect. If the window of opportunity to seek a permanent and peaceful solution is narrowing then what is the UK Government and the international community doing to stop these illegal acts in order to be in a position to deliver a solution?

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The current situation is another example of where the international community fails. The people of Gaza are still subjected to the most severe of blockades that prevents any economic development and restricts vital medical and food supplies entering. I have visited Gaza myself and witnessed the suffering and hardship that this blockade is causing. The building of settlements carries on apace and there is blatant disregard for both international law and the rule of law with the collective punishment and disproportionate force being used on the Palestinian people.

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We all know that the firing of rockets into Israel is the Israeli justification for this action but this cannot be allowed to go unnoticed and we must find a solution to this issue before many more innocent Palestinians are killed or maimed.

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I call on you personally, and on behalf of my constituents, to do all you can to demand that Israel stop this collective punishment and disproportionate action immediately, to ensure Hamas influence their militant element to stop the rocket attacks and bring the parties back to the peace process.

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I look forward to a positive response on this most serious of matters.

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Yours sincerely,

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Ian Murray MP