Letter: Situation in Occupied Palestinian Territories

Letter to the Foreign Secretary Situation in Occupied Palestinian Territories

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Dear Foreign Secretary, 

I am writing to you on behalf of my constituents in South Ribble, many of whom have contacted me in recent weeks expressing deep and growing distress about the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The humanitarian crisis has reached a critical level, with widespread hunger particularly among children and a collapse of medical care due to ongoing restrictions on aid and repeated strikes on healthcare infrastructure. 

Having been a member of the British Army for nearly 15 years, serving in both the First Gulf War and the Kosovo Conflict, I have witnessed first-hand the horrors of war and the devastating impact it has on innocent civilians. The atrocities I encountered left a profound impression on me, and they serve as a constant reminder of the lasting and catastrophic consequences that warfare inflicts on those caught in the crossfire. 

The reports we have seen of deliberate aid blockades, severe malnutrition, and mass civilian casualties are harrowing. Over 3,500 children under the age of five are reportedly facing imminent starvation. These are not just statistics they reflect the unimaginable suffering of real families and children whose lives hang in the balance. 

I welcome Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer’s condemnation of the ongoing aid blockade as “appalling”, “cruel”, and “indefensible”. His words reflect the deep concern shared across Parliament and the wider public. I’m also encouraged by your ongoing engagement with international partners, on the potential recognition of a Palestinian state. These steps are significant, and I hope they mark the beginning of a more proactive role for the UK in addressing this worsening humanitarian crisis. 

I know you and your team are working tirelessly behind the scenes to respond to this complex and fast-moving situation. However, my constituents have raised a range of urgent concerns from the UK’s arms exports to Israel, to the scale and delivery of humanitarian aid, the recognition of Palestinian statehood, sustained access to aid and electricity, and long-term plans for reconstruction support. 

I would be grateful if you could outline what specific steps the Government is currently taking to address these issues, alleviate the suffering on the ground, and help move towards a just and lasting peace in the region. 

I look forward to your response. 

Yours sincerely

Paul Foster 

Member of Parliament for South Ribble

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