Andy Drozdziak
CAFOD is urging politicians to ‘step up and show real leadership’ after the Commons descended into chaos over a ceasefire debate.
In an unprecedented move, speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle allowed Labour to vote last night in the UK Parliament on an amendment introduced by the SNP which called for an immediate ceasefire. Although SNP and Tory members walked out of the Commons, the Labour Party motion calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire was passed.
Sir Lindsay was heavily criticised for the move, with over 50 MPs calling for him to step down.
Responding to the vote, CAFOD’s representative for the Middle East, Elizabeth Funnell, said: “At a time when tens of thousands of children have already been killed, we need our political leaders to step up and show real leadership and support a lasting peace.
“One of CAFOD’s partner staff in Gaza told me that her 7-year old daughter is asking to wear her fancy dress every day currently because if she must die, she wants to be wearing her favourite dress. That is the reality of the horror that the children of Gaza are facing.
“We are pleased that parliament this evening passed the motion calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, because an immediate and permanent ceasefire is the only way to ensure the release of all hostages, to make sure the huge amount of humanitarian aid that is needed can make its way into Gaza, and to protect all civilians. As Pope Francis tells us, arms alone will never achieve the peace that Israelis and Palestinians deserve.”
Picture: CAFOD