Sign in Subscribe
Ambassadors

UK Must Expel Israeli Ambassador Amid Gaza City Plans

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces calls from the Scottish Greens to expel the Israeli ambassador after the country's security council approved a plan to take over Gaza City. The plan, which stops short of taking over the entire territory, has been met with opposition from within Israel's military and the international community. Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater has urged Starmer to go further and end all arms sales and political support to Israel, as well as expelling the Israeli ambassador. Slater criticized the UK's role in the genocide against Gaza, stating that the Prime Minister and his colleagues have been active participants in arming and supporting Israeli forces.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Israeli security council approved a plan to take over Gaza City, stopping short of taking over the entire territory.
  • The plan has been met with opposition from within Israel's military, with top general reportedly warning that it would endanger remaining hostages held by Hamas.
  • Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to expel the Israeli ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely.
  • Slater has also called for an end to all arms sales and political support to Israel.
  • The UK Government has been accused by the Scottish Greens of being complicit in some of the worst war crimes of this century.
  • Israel has repeatedly bombarded Gaza City and carried out numerous raids, displacing tens of thousands of people and further disrupting efforts to deliver food to the territory.

Statistics:

  • 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced in 1948 during the formation of Israel.
  • More than 500 Palestinian cities, towns, and villages were destroyed by Israel in 1948.
  • The Israeli military has held tens of thousands of people in Gaza hostage for nearly two years.
  • Israel's army has suffered significant strain after nearly two years of regional wars.
  • Tensions between Israel and Hamas have led to repeated bombardment of Gaza City.
  • The UK Government has sold arms to Israel despite widespread criticism.
  • The petition to expel Hotovely gathered tens of thousands of signatures in June.

Sources:

  • Benjamin Netanyahu, "We will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones" (statement from Netanyahu's office)
  • Lorna Slater, "The UK government has not been a detached observer in the genocide against Gaza, it has been an active participant."

Read more