Election Candidates take on Gaza
With next year’s Parliamentary candidates getting their photos in the paper talking about the mundane, I thought it would be good to hear their thoughts on an important question.
How do they stand on the Israeli Hamas Gaza question?
Reportedly
- 1,400 killed by Hamas
- 10,000 killed by Israel
We know the following candidates, others are welcome to step up and share their views if they plan to stand in the local elections next year.
- Michael Boyle – Green Party
- David Buckley – Independent
- Jack Rankin – Conservatives
- Julian Tisi – LibDems
If candidates can respond to this blog post below please… you can add to social channels but I would like a concise picture to be shared on this page for the readers benefit… Thank you.
10am… I have messaged all via FB and Twitter so they are aware the post exists
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
Hi Jon – thank you for the opportunity to comment.
The surprise and devastating attack on 7 October from the Hamas terror group was the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. The world was witness to some of the most horrific ISIS-style war crimes – indiscriminate murder and torture of civilians, including babies and the elderly. The bodies of hundreds of Israelis have still yet to be identified due to the severity of their injuries, including being burned alive and beheadings. Such explicit crimes against humanity must not be tolerated by any nation that values democracy and the sanctity of life. When we say ‘never again’ it means standing up to this in the present.
Israel, like any other nation, has the right (indeed duty to its citizens) to defend itself: It is doing so.
Calls for ceasefire are understandable, but the difficult reality is that Hamas have no interest in a ceasefire. Hamas has always exploited ceasefires to rearm and expand its terror network within Gaza’s civilian population. Each time, this has led to greater bloodshed and suffering for both Palestinians and Israelis.
I support the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, and support a lasting solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike. However, Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people or their aspirations; it offers nothing for them other than more terror and more bloodshed. I therefore support Israel’s right to go after Hamas, take back the hostages, deter further incursions and strengthen its security for the long term.
The loss of every innocent life is a tragedy, but to be clear, they are currently being driven by Hamas having enmeshed itself amidst the civilian population of Gaza.
If we want a lasting peace, which can only be brought about through a lasting two-state solution, then Hamas must be eliminated, simply allowing them to regroup will only see the violent cycle will continue.
The Liberal Democrats have always stood in support of a lasting peace and a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine, as the only way to guarantee the dignity and security which both Palestinians and Israelis deserve.
I condemn, absolutely, the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7th. I support the right of Israel to respond to these brutal and cowardly attacks and to do so firmly and proportionately, as they have every right to under international law.
However, self-defence can never justify the targeting of civilians. It should be sadly clear to all but Israel’s most fervent defenders that Israel has gone well beyond international law in its response to the actions of Hamas. I worry that, far from eliminating Hamas, we may sadly have a new generation of anger, leading many towards their ranks.
But Hamas and the Palestinians are not synonymous.
Over 20,000 have been killed in Gaza in the last 2 months, the majority of these being women and children. UN staff on the ground in Gaza have reported over 150 incidents of schools, medical and UN facilities being targeted directly.
The UN and other NGOs on the ground have stated that a devastating humanitarian catastrophe is now unfolding in Gaza.
Essential supplies like water, food, medicine and fuel are in very short supply or totally cut off.
One of my Lib Dem colleagues, Layla Moran, sadly has family under siege in a Church in Gaza City. Israeli snipers have already killed some trying to escape, including two nuns.
This cannot continue. We must now call for an immediate bilateral ceasefire. This is not however an end in itself. Both parties must stick to it. If one party breaks the ceasefire, a military option remains on the table. And we cannot go back to how things were before, with Hamas in charge of Gaza.
Only a sustained political and diplomatic solution will resolve this conflict and deliver a lasting peace. This will require a huge, sustained effort from the international community, with a particular role to be played by Arab neighbours. A viable two state solution is the only credible option in the long term.
The killing of thousands of innocent civilians must stop, while ensuring we do not return to how things were before October 7th.
One final point. I condemn the antisemitism being shown towards many in the Jewish community. This too must stop.
David Buckley
Independent Candidate for Windsor 2024/5
#GreaterGreenerSaferCleaner
#peoplebeforepolitics
The tragic incident on October 7th, orchestrated by the Hamas terrorist group, stands as a devastating event, marking one of the most severe attacks on the Jewish community since the Holocaust. Every loss of innocent life is deeply regrettable, and the events of that day will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Looking ahead, it is crucial to focus on what the people of Israel and Palestine can achieve collectively, emphasising a future historical moment centred around peace rather than the actions of a terrorist group.
Israel, like any democratic country, has the right to defend itself and its citizens. Seeking the freedom of hostages from the aftermath of the October terrorist attack is a valid and ongoing requirement, a precondition for a sustainable ceasefire.
All parties need to come together to create peace in the region, after historic conflicts but how do they do this, with a terrorist group entrenched into the infrastructure of Gaza and using innocent human shields?
The Palestinian people must be set free from the control of the terrorist group Hamas to allow the innocent people of Palestine to create their own democratic state. This change would be part of a two-state solution and we hope, eventually, a sustainable peace for the region.
While recognising that this process will take time, both states require global support. Achieving sustainable peace extends beyond the borders of Israel and Palestine, necessitating the backing of nations worldwide.
In my view, resolving the historic conflicts in this region requires the collaboration of diverse cultures, beliefs, and ideologies. It is a challenging task that demands motivated efforts from all parties. No single person, party, or government can achieve this solution independently. Israel and Palestine should be supported in their pursuit of lasting peace, and global mechanisms should be established to sustain that peace.
Until a sustainable ceasefire is initiated, both Israel and Palestine must acknowledge the unfortunate reality that more innocent lives may be lost or injured in the conflict’s fallout. The risk of the conflict spreading to other regions must be avoided at all costs.
While it is imperative to prevent the targeting of innocent people, all parties must accept accountability for their actions. The global community should unite in pushing for a swift and comprehensive peace resolution.