Speaking about the conflict in the Middle East, Sadiq Khan said: “We feel the pain here”; Photo: PA
Sadiq Khan said he feared Israel could follow a “disproportionate” response to Hamas attacks, which could lead to “unexplained suffering” in the Gaza Strip.
The mayor of London called on the Israeli government to reconsider issue of blocking food, water and electricity in the region in response to the killings and kidnappings carried out by the militant group, which led to the deaths of more than 1,300 Israelis over the weekend.
The Israeli military has since ordered, according to the UN, more than a million Palestinians living in the northern Gaza Strip to be evacuated within 24 hours.
Mr Khan made his comments while visiting the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians», based in Islington, north London.
This is the same place where Cherie Blair uttered controversial words in 2002: «As long as young people feel they have no hope except to blow themselves up, and you will never make progress.”
Her comments were condemned by some who believed they amounted to justifying suicide bombings.
Speaking on Friday, Mr Khan said: “I have spoken to Londoners who have lost family members in the Gaza Strip and to Londoners who lost family in the Hamas terrorist attack last weekend, so we feel the pain here.»
«But we are concerned that the Israeli government's response will be disproportionate (and) leading to unexplained suffering.
“We are talking about human suffering on a scale that this charity, which has been working in this area for decades, has not seen.” Mr. Khan speaks with Melanie Ward, executive director, during his visit to Medical Aid for Palestinians. Photo: PA
He called on the British government to put pressure on Israel to practice restraint, adding: «I hope the Israeli government will reconsider its decision, understanding the pressure internationally when you hear what the United Nations says, what the World Health Organization says, and when you listen to those people on the ground.”
Later, Bob Blackman, a Conservative MP and chairman of the cross-party parliamentary group on Israel, said there was “no doubt” that the IDF would minimize civilian casualties .
Responding to Mr Khan's comments, he said: «Disproportional to the fact that terrorists killed babies, killed defenseless men, women and children, the biggest massacre since Israel began?
“Terrorists must be destroyed. Period.
“As far as I know, there is no other army in the world… that warns people of an impending attack.
“They go beyond any reasonable expectation of a military force because by warning people that they are going to start an operation, they are also putting themselves at risk.”
Alexander Stafford, a Conservative MP, said: “This is one of the worst massacres of Jewish people since the Second World War. Instead of Sadiq trying to dictate what a sovereign state should do to protect itself and its people, the Mayor should focus on providing support to the UK's Jewish population, which is under attack at this terrible time.»
Lord Austen Former A Labor MP said: “Nobody wants a single civilian to be harmed in the Gaza Strip, but no one except the terrorists in Hamas wanted this war at all, and if civilians are harmed it is Hamas's fault.
“Israel does everything it can to avoid civilian casualties, but if civilians in Gaza suffer in the war, it is because Hamas is using civilians to protect its weapons. But when Hamas kills Israeli civilians, it is because that is their conscious goal. This is their goal.»
Свежие комментарии