Angela Rayner

International Red Cross Chief Says Gaza Conditions ‘Worse’ Than ‘Hell on Earth’

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https://www.commondreams.org/news/humanitarian-situation-gaza

A Palestinian woman mourns people killed in an Israeli attack on makeshift tents for displaced civilians in Gaza City, Gaza on June 4, 2025. 
(Photo: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images

“We cannot continue to watch what is happening,” said Mirjana Spoljaric. “It’s surpassing any acceptable legal, moral, and humane standard.”

The president of one of the world’s top humanitarian groups said in an interview Wednesday that nearly 20 months after Israel began its relentless assault on Gaza, the international community is watching “a type of warfare… that deprives civilians of their dignity entirely.”

Jeremy Bowen, international editor for BBC News, asked International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) president Mirjana Spoljaric about comments she made last month when she visited Gaza, several weeks into Israel’s total blockade on humanitarian aid, and declared that the enclave had been transformed into “hell on Earth.”

“Has anything changed?” asked Bowen.

“It has become worse,” replied Spoljaric. “Humanity is failing in Gaza… We cannot continue to watch what is happening. It’s surpassing any acceptable legal, moral, and humane standard.”

Spoljaric’s latest remarks came a week after the U.S.- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) began its aid operations, with proponents claiming the private company staffed by U.S. security contractors would save the lives of Gaza residents who have faced increasing starvation and malnutrition since the current blockade began in March—while ensuring Hamas did not steal or divert the aid. The United Nations has said there is no evidence Hamas has systematically diverted relief from civilians.

Fears about the GHF’s plan—expressed by aid organizations, the U.N., and the former executive director who resigned the day before operations began—have been proven correct since the group opened its distribution sites in southern Gaza last week. At least 27 Palestinians were killed Tuesday at one of the aid sites when the Israel Defense Forces opened fire—yet another incident of the IDF killing of people trying to obtain aid.

The ICRC said its field hospital in Rafah received “a mass casualty influx of 184 patients” early on Tuesday morning.

“This includes nineteen cases who were declared dead upon arrival and eight more who died due to their wounds shortly after,” said the group. “The majority of cases suffered gunshot wounds. Again, all responsive patients said they were trying to reach an assistance distribution site.”

Mohamed Zidan, the husband of a woman named Reem al-Akhras who was killed in Tuesday’s mass shooting, said the GHF operation was “not humanitarian aid—it’s a trap.”

“She went to bring us some food, and this is what happened to her,” her son Zain Zidan told Al Jazeera.

Journalist Rania Khalek condemned corporate news outlets for their reports of “conflicting accounts” as Israel said that the IDF fired only at “several suspects moving toward them.”

“Outrageous,” said Khalek. “The Israelis are proven liars, their narrative should not be given any legitimacy. CNN continues to cover for genocide, shameful.”

Israeli forces also opened fire at one of the sites on Sunday, killing 20 people and wounding hundreds who had walked an average of 9.3 miles to the distribution hub, hoping to carry home food boxes weighing about 44 pounds, with enough food to last about three days before they would need to make the trek—and avoid IDF soldiers stationed at the sites—again.

On Wednesday, the GHF said its four distribution sites would be closed for the day to improve “organization and efficiency,” while the IDF warned Palestinians to stay away from the sites and the roads leading to them, saying they had been designated “combat zones.”

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres demanded an independent inquiry into the killing of Palestinians at food distribution sites.

“It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food,” Guterres said.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported Wednesday that at least 94 Palestinians had been killed and 440 had been wounded in Israel’s attacks across the enclave in the past 24 hours.

In her interview with the BBC, Spoljaric said that the destruction of more than 90% of Gaza’s housing units, the risk of famine for the entire population, and the forced displacement of 90% of Palestinians in the enclave represent “a people being entirely stripped of its human dignity.”

“There is no excuse for depriving children of their access to food, health, and security,” said Spoljaric. “There are rules in the conduct of hostilities that every party to every conflict has to respect.”

Spoljaric called on international leaders to take all available actions to stop “a type of warfare that shows utmost disrespect for civilians.”

“Today we are in it,” she said. “Today we can reverse it. We can save lives today.”

Few U.S. officials have called for an end to the government’s support for the IDF, and the U.S. continues to repeat Israel’s claim that it is acting in self-defense and targeting Hamas rather than civilians.

Several European leaders in recent weeks have harshly criticized Israel’s intensified military campaign in Gaza and its humanitarian aid blockade, with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul suggesting the country could soon impose arms export sanctions.

“It’s important to act now,” said Spoljaric. “State leaders are under an obligation to act.”

https://www.commondreams.org/news/humanitarian-situation-gaza

Original article by republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel's Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don't do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel’s Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don’t do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.

Continue ReadingInternational Red Cross Chief Says Gaza Conditions ‘Worse’ Than ‘Hell on Earth’

‘Genocide Is a Red Line’: Thousands Encircle UK Parliament to Demand Sanctions on Israel

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Original article by Jessica Corbett republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

Protesters form a Red Line for Palestine around the U.K. Parliament on June 4, 2025 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo: Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)

“U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer admitted this week that the situation in Gaza is ‘getting worse by the day’ but has yet to match these words with concrete actions.”

Thousands of people formed a “Red Line for Palestine” encircling the U.K. Parliament in Westminster on Wednesday to demand an arms embargo and sanctions on Israel for its ongoing genocidal violence against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The protesters are also calling for the reinstatement of U.K. aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the government’s support for International Criminal Court investigations, and an immediate and permanent cease-fire in Gaza, according to a statement from organizers.

The red line protest during Parliament’s “question time” was organized by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Muslim Association of Britain, Palestinian Forum in Britain, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and Stop the War Coalition.

“The U.S.-backed aid distribution in Gaza has shut down operations today, citing ‘security risks,'” organizers noted. “This follows widespread criticism over its ties to Israel and alleged downplaying of civilian casualties. Meanwhile, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer admitted this week that the situation in Gaza is ‘getting worse by the day’ but has yet to match these words with concrete actions.”

While people in the streets took aim at Starmer and U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who are both part of the Labour Party, some members of Parliament joined the protest.

Scottish MP Brian Leishman, a member of Labour’s Socialist Campaign Group, said on social media that he was “proud to stand with fellow MPs and the thousands of people that joined the Red Line for Palestine protest outside Parliament today calling for an end to genocide and for countries to stop arming Israel.”

MP Colum Eastwood, former leader of Northern Ireland’s Social Democratic and Labour Party, similarly said that he was “proud” to join the protest, while MP Zack Polansky, a candidate to lead the Green Party, said he was “proud to stand with so many fellow Jewish people against the genocide.”

Party MP Ellie Chowns described her experience participating in the demonstration as “incredibly moving and powerful,” while Independent MP Shockat Adam declared: “Starving children is a red line. Genocide is a red line. When humanity is on the line, silence cannot be the response.”

Independent MP Adnan Hussain said he was “honored to have joined” the action and shared footage in which he appeared with MP Jeremy Corbyn, a fellow Independent who used to be Labour’s leader. In the Sky News clip, Corbyn talked about the bill he’s introducing to demand an independent public inquiry into the U.K.’s “complicity with active genocide” in Gaza.

“Many of us remain disgusted by the continued supply of components for the F-35 fighter jet program,” Corbyn told The New Arab. “I am shocked the government openly admits to making ‘exceptions’ to its partial suspension. Does this breach its legal obligations to prevent genocide? One thing is clear: This government still supplies weapons to a state whose leader is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.”

The Hague-based tribunal in November issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a Hamas leader who has since been declared dead. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its annihilation of Gaza.

Polling shows Israel’s destruction of Gaza is unpopular with the British public. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign not only was an organizer of Wednesday’s protest but also commissioned a poll from Opinium Research and released the results on Wednesday. The survey, conducted from May 30 to June 2, found that 57% of Brits believe the U.K. should impose a full arms embargo.

The survey also found that 54% support sanctioning Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, 53% think Israel should be expelled from the U.N., and 50% support boycotting Israeli products in supermarkets. Middle East Eyereported that “the new poll comes after a similar survey showed public support for Israel in European countries had fallen to its lowest recorded level.”

The polling also comes as the official casualty counts in Gaza—which experts warn are likely significant underestimates—climbed to 54,607 Palestinians killed and 125,341 wounded, with most of the enclave’s more than 2 million struggling to access food, water, shelter, and healthcare in the face of Israel’s bombings and blockade of humanitarian aid.

U.K. organizers plan to follow Wednesday’s red line action with a National March for Palestine on Saturday, June 21.

“Israel’s attacks on Gaza and the West Bank are intensifying. Their starvation policy continues,” says the march’s webpage. “The U.K. government has at last accepted that Israel’s actions are unconscionable. Now they must act—words are not enough.”

Original article by Jessica Corbett republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel's Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don't do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel’s Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don’t do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says that UK is suspeding 30 of 350 arms licences to Israel. He also confirms the UK government's support for Israel's Gaza genocide and the UK government and military's active participation in genocide.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says that UK is suspeding 30 of 350 arms licences to Israel. He also confirms the UK government’s support for Israel’s Gaza genocide and the UK government and military’s active participation in genocide.
Continue Reading‘Genocide Is a Red Line’: Thousands Encircle UK Parliament to Demand Sanctions on Israel

As Israeli defence forces “wreak carnage” it’s time for UK government to act, say Greens 

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Ellie Chowns, Green Party MP for North Herefordshire. CC image Wikipedia.
Ellie Chowns, Green Party MP for North Herefordshire. CC image Wikipedia.

Reacting to the third consecutive day in which Palestinians in Gaza have been gunned down by Israeli defence forces as they tried to access food aid, Ellie Chowns MP, Green Party Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said

“Having bombed people in their homes or tents as they sleep; shelled hospitals where people are being treated or schools where they seek shelter, the Israeli defence forces are now wreaking untold carnage, gunning hungry Palestinians down as they try to collect food aid they’ve been denied for weeks.  

“Two weeks ago, we heard lots of bluster from the Labour government about how awful and unacceptable the situation in Gaza was, but the concrete action pledged by Keir Starmer hasn’t materialised. It’s time for action, not more words – Israel has crossed too many red lines.  

“The government must call for an immediate ceasefire and denounce Israel’s atrocities for what they are – genocide. They must now end all arms sales to the country, impose a wide range of sanctions and call for the arrest and trial of all those guilty of war crimes – including prime minister Netanyahu.”  

Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel's Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don't do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel’s Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don’t do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.

Continue ReadingAs Israeli defence forces “wreak carnage” it’s time for UK government to act, say Greens 

The government knows it is enabling Israel’s genocide in Gaza

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/government-knows-it-enabling-israels-genocide-gaza

 Sherin Wafi (centre) and her daughter Mira (4) mourn during the funeral of her husband Hosam Wafi, who was killed by an Israeli strike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, June 2, 2025

Starmer should not need to wait for the High Court’s decision on F-35 parts in order to do the right thing, warns CLAUDIA WEBBE

…

According to the government’s “Strategic export controls: quarterly licensing statistics,” the UK sent more arms to Israel in the final three months of 2024, after the 8 per cent “ban,” than in all the preceding four years from 2020-23 combined. This escalation included the secret use of British military aircraft on at least seven occasions to deliver F-35 parts directly to Israel.

The government’s argument in court for the continued supply of F-35 parts to Israel has scraped through the bottom of even the toughest barrel. Its lawyers have argued that the “security” need to keep parts available around the world overrides Britain’s obligations, which are unequivocal under international law, to intervene to prevent genocide and war crimes and both that “no evidence has been seen that Israel is deliberately targeting civilian women or children” and that “there is also evidence of Israel making efforts to limit incidental harm to civilians,” despite Israel’s known heavy use of the heaviest US-made “dumb bombs” on densely populated civilian areas and the tent camps of refuges in supposed safe zones.

The government’s claim also flouts the clear evidence, provided by the United Nations as well as by every international, including Israeli human rights and humanitarian group, that Israel’s blockade is inflicting starvation on Gaza, putting huge numbers of civilians and especially children, at “imminent” risk of starving to death. According to Unicef in mid-May, “71,000 children and more than 17,000 mothers … need urgent treatment for acute malnutrition.”

In reality, the British government could inflict rapid degradation on the ability of Israel to kill Palestinian civilians in Gaza just by imposing a ban on parts for a single aircraft type, that would also send a clear message to other governments still prevaricating over their obligations to take every available action to end Israel’s genocide in Gaza. The effects of this action, both militarily and politically, would be massively amplified if Britain did its legal duty and imposed the complete arms embargo demanded by human rights groups and campaigners.

All of this is possible right now. The Starmer government should not need a court order before it does the self-evidently right thing, and it must not drag its feet while the court process grinds on and more civilians in Gaza are killed. Every socialist, every decent human being, must demand nothing less on the streets and directly to the British Parliament and of their MP.

Claudia Webbe was previously the member of Parliament for Leicester East (2019–24). You can follow her at www.facebook.com/claudiaforLE and x.com/claudiawebbe.

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/government-knows-it-enabling-israels-genocide-gaza

Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel's Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don't do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel’s Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don’t do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy confirms that UK government and military are active participants in Israel’s genocides and that the F-35 parts that they suspended from supplying to Israel are instead simply diverted via the United States. He says see https://youtu.be/QILgUHrdWRE
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy confirms that UK government and military are active participants in Israel’s genocides and that the F-35 parts that they suspended from supplying to Israel are instead simply diverted via the United States. He says see https://youtu.be/QILgUHrdWRE
Continue ReadingThe government knows it is enabling Israel’s genocide in Gaza

Approved UK arms exports to Israel skyrocketed under Labour, data shows

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https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/major-jump-approved-uk-arms-exports-israel-weeks-after-gaza-ban

Foreign Secretary David Lammy announcing the partial suspension of arms exports to Israel in September 2024 (Parliamentary Recording Unit/AFP)

UK greenlit $169m in military goods to Israel in three months after a partial arms embargo

The UK government approved $169m worth of military equipment to Israel in the three months that followed the Labour government’s partial suspension of arms exports over concerns they could be used unlawfully in Gaza. 

Export data released on Thursday shows that 20 different licences in categories such as military aircraft, radars, targeting equipment, and explosive devices, were approved between October and December 2024.

Arms campaigners say the three-month total is more than what was approved altogether under the Tory government between 2020 and 2023, and said the increase was “truly shocking”.

“This is the Labour government aiding and abetting Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” said Emily Apple, media coordinator for the UK-based Campaign Against Arms Trade. 

“It is sickening that instead of imposing a full two-way arms embargo, Keir Starmer’s government has massively increased the amount of military equipment the UK is sending to Israel.” 

…

Article continues at https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/major-jump-approved-uk-arms-exports-israel-weeks-after-gaza-ban

Genocide denying UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says that UK is suspending 30 of 350 arms licences to Israel. He also confirms the UK government's support for Israel's Gaza genocide and the UK government and military's active participation in genocide.
Genocide denying UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says that UK is suspending 30 of 350 arms licences to Israel. He also confirms the UK government’s support for Israel’s Gaza genocide and the UK government and military’s active participation in genocide.

The UK Labour government hugely increased arms exports to Israel while giving the impression of restricting them. The UK government made the announcement of suspending 30 licences on 2nd September 2024.

Guardian: UK suspends 30 arms export licences to Israel after review 2nd September 2024

An Israeli F-35 fighter jet taking off. The suspension covers components for certain military aircraft. Photograph: Abir Sultan/EPA

Foreign Office says review found ‘clear risk’ UK arms may be used in violation of humanitarian law

The UK has broken with the Biden administration on a significant part of their tightly coordinated policy towards Israel by announcing it is suspending some arms export licences to Israel because of a “clear risk” they may be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

The Foreign Office said a two-month internal review had raised concerns about the way Israel had conducted itself in the conflict in Gaza and that the decision specifically related to concerns around the treatment of Palestinian detainees and the supply of aid to Gaza.

No definitive conclusion has been reached about whether UK arms export licences have contributed to the destruction in the territory. But the scale of the devastation and the number of civilian deaths caused great concern, the Foreign Office said.

The suspension, which is likely to cause tensions with the US government, covers components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones and targeting equipment.

…

Article continues at Guardian: UK suspends 30 arms export licences to Israel after review 2nd September 2024

F-35 parts from UK continue to be supplied to Israel but diverted via the US.

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9964

UK arms exports to Israel

Research Briefing

Published Wednesday, 08 January, 2025

Mr Lammy also said the decision would not affect the F-35 programme that supplies aircraft to more than 20 countries (except where components go directly to Israel, which are included in the action). Mr Lammy said the global F-35 supply chain is “vital for the security of the UK, our allies and NATO”.

UK Foreign Minister David Lammy confirms that UK government and military are active participants in Israel’s genocides and that the F-35 parts that they suspended from supplying to Israel are instead simply diverted via the United States. He says see https://youtu.be/QILgUHrdWRE
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy confirms that UK government and military are active participants in Israel’s genocides and that the F-35 parts that they suspended from supplying to Israel are instead simply diverted via the United States. He says see https://youtu.be/QILgUHrdWRE
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel's Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don't do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel’s Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don’t do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
Continue ReadingApproved UK arms exports to Israel skyrocketed under Labour, data shows