David Lammy told the UN General Secretary that the Israeli’s government’s ‘drip feeding’ of aid to Gaza is an ‘affront’ to the organisation’s values as he issued a firm warning to Benjamin Netanyahu
David Lammy has issued an ultimatum to Benjamin Netanyahu – saying Israel’s “drip feeding” of aid to Gaza is an “affront” to the world.
The Foreign Secretary was applauded at the UN General Secretary as he said the UK would recognise the Palestinian state by September unless Israel acts. In a brief speech in New York he said: “The devastation in Gaza is heartbreaking.
“Children are starving and Israel’s drip feeding of aid has horrified the world. These are an affront to the values of the charter of the United Nations.”
The Foreign Secretary went on to say Britian “bears a special burden of responsibility” for a two-state solution. He said: “Let me be clear – the Netanyahu government’s rejection of a two state solution is wrong. It’s wrong morally, and it’s wrong strategically. It harms the interests of the Israeli people.”
“Our demands on Hamas remain absolute and unwavering,” he clarified.
In a statement from Downing Street, the Prime Minister said the Palestinian people have “endured terrible suffering” with “catastrophic failure of aid”. He added: “We see starving babies, children too weak to stand, images that will stay with us for a lifetime. The suffering must end.”
Earlier on Tuesday, UN-backed experts said “the worst-case scenario of famine” was currently playing out in Gaza and warned of “widespread death” without urgent action.
It came as the Prime Minister held an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss a peace plan for the region. He had summoned ministers back from the summer recess to discuss the proposals, which have been shared with France, Germany and US President Donald Trump.
Downing Street said the PM “opened by saying that he had called the meeting to address the situation in Gaza which was getting more desperate by the day”.