Pressure grows on Cameron after Warsi quits on Gaza
More Tory MPs are calling for the government to take a stronger stance on Gaza, as the Commons International Development Committee say they are “shocked” at conditions of the Gaza blockade.
David Cameron was coming under renewed pressure from a handful of MPs who are coming out in support of Baroness Sayeeda Warsi.
In an exclusive interview with Channel 4 News, she said she was quitting government because the cabinet’s position on Gaza was “morally indefensible”.
“I think there is a sincerely held view in government that the best way to resolve this matter is to try and be as accommodating as possible to the Israeli government, to try and through that seek influence with them, and through that to try and move them to a more positive decision,” she said. “I’m not sure that policy is working.”
Following her stand, Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, and Vince Cable, the business secretary, made a public call for all arms licences to Israel to be suspended. Mr Clegg said he agreed with Baroness Warsi that there were “serious questions” about the licences.
Her resignation also prompted the cross-party Commons International Development Committee to say that even aside from the recent violence, some of the controls on the people in Gaza were not “proportionate” and in some cases ran counter to international law.
Gazans are rarely allowed to leave the territory and have many supplies restricted by Israel, and Hamas has said that Israel removing the blockade needs to be part of any longer-term peace plan.
Tory MPs line up to back Warsi
Within his own party, the prime minister is feeling the heat from some MPs over the government’s stance on the four-week long conflict which has seen the deaths of 1,834 Palestinians, mostly civilians. Sixty-four Israelis have also been killed, mainly soldiers.
Sir Nicholas Soames, MP for Mid Sussex, also said that the government should “note and learn” from her resignation.
The government needs to note and learn from the resignation of Sayeeda Warsi she was right to leave over a matter of such great importance
— Nicholas Soames (@nsoamesmp) August 5, 2014
Sarah Wollaston, MP in South Devon, also told Channel 4 News that she had written to David Cameron about her objections to the way the government is handling the situation, and that sanctions against Israel should be considered (see video below).
“I think it is time for the government to take a far stronger line on that. And if that involves applying sanctions, I think I’m afraid we’ve got to that stage,” she said.
Ms Wollaston, a former doctor and chair of the commons health committee, said she was motivated on humanitarian grounds: “What we need to do is ask ourselves: would we view that as a war crime, if it was any other aggressor, and any other civilian population. And if we would, we should treat it accordingly.”
Other leading Conservatives who have voiced their support for Baroness Warsi include Alistair Burt, the former Foreign Office minister responsible for the Middle East; Lord Deben, the former Environment Secretary; and former Immigration Minister Damien Green. Margot James, MP for Stourbridge, has also written a letter to the foreign secretary over Gaza.
On Monday, Crispin Blunt MP also told Channel 4 News that the Israeli shelling of a UN school was a “criminal act” (see video below).