MPs: Israel ‘failing’ moral obligations
Israel is failing in its obligations towards the health and welfare of the Palestinian population, an influential group of MPs has said.
The MPs also called for diplomats to use the Egyptian-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas as an opportunity to ease restrictions imposed by Israel on Gaza’s borders.
Israeli restrictions have resulted in shortages of food, fuel and water for those living in Gaza, said the International Development Committee (IDC).
“[T]he humanitarian situation in Gaza has seriously deteriorated since the closure of its borders,” said Malcolm Bruce, chairman of the IDC committee. “Israel has obligations to ensure the health and welfare of the Palestinian population, which it has not met.”
The committee welcomes Middle East Quartet representative Tony Blair’s efforts in reducing strategic checkpoints but emphasises Palestinians should be able to move around their own country for education, healthcare, business and social reasons.
In addition, Mr Blair’s initiatives to champion economic projects in the West Bank are looked upon favourably by the IDC, which believes the work will help build confidence in the Palestinian economy. The committee warns, however, that projects must “facilitate the creation of a viable, contiguous Palestinian state”.
“The West Bank occupation must not be legitimised,” Mr Bruce said.
“Nevertheless we welcome the efforts being made by the Quartet representative, in cooperation with both the Israeli and Palestinian governments, to pursue economic initiatives to relieve the hardship faced by the Palestinian people.”
