Anne McLaughlin (Glasgow North East) (SNP)
In recent days, we have had a pause in the violence in Palestine. That pause has allowed some aid to get through, and some Israelis and some Palestinians to be released. Instead of people being bombed or shot, maimed or killed, they have been reunited with their families. Nobody could fail to be moved by the scenes of families crying with relief on our television screens, just as nobody could fail to be horrified by the killing of so many thousands of innocent people. My constituents want to see more of the former and no more of the latter. They want to see aid reaching everyone who needs it, and they want to see mothers and fathers on all sides getting their children back.
The petition states:
The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that the only and quickest route to lasting peace in Palestine is for all sides to support and adhere to full ceasefire; condemns violence against people for simply being Israeli, equally condemns violence against people simply for being Palestinian; mourns the growing death toll of women, men and children and grieves for the thousands more traumatised by what they have witnessed and experienced.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to add its voice to international calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire so that aid can continue to reach Palestinians; bombed out homes, universities and hospitals in Palestine can be rebuilt and the process to finding last peace with a two state solution can begin.
And the petitioners remain, etc.
[P002882]