Stephen writes again to Prime Minister about ceasefire
Stephen has written to the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, seeking clarification as to why the UK abstained from a recent vote at the United Nations General Assembly for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of an “…immediate, durable and sustainable humanitarian truce” between Israel and Hamas. There were 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions, which included the UK.
The resolution - put forward by Jordan on behalf of the Arab group - also condemned all acts of violence against Palestinian and Israeli civilians, including all "terror and indiscriminate attacks". It also demanded unhindered access for aid and essential supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip. It also demanded sustained access for humanitarian workers, and stressed the need “...to urgently establish a mechanism to ensure the protection of the Palestinian civilian population”.
Stephen asked the Prime Minister why the UK had chose to abstain and whether or not he would be willing to reconsider calling for an immediate end to hostilities in the region.
You can read the letter here.