It is now six months since the appalling October 7th terrorist attack by Hamas terrorists, which killed 1,200 and has left hostages still in chains in Gaza. Those hostages must all be freed now and Israel must have the security of knowing this cannot happen again.

Since then, Israel’s campaign has led to intolerable death and destruction, with more than 33,000 Palestinians killed and more than a million facing the imminent prospect of famine. The killing of seven aid workers, including three British citizens, delivering food to those in desperate need is the latest injustice. It requires transparency and full accountability.

This war must end now with an immediate ceasefire. Hamas must immediately release the hostages. And there must be immediate, unimpeded aid to Gaza.

Words are not enough to protect those at risk of losing their lives. The UK government must use every ounce of diplomatic leverage it has to create the conditions needed for an immediate ceasefire that is observed by both sides. The UK government must also unequivocally commit to complying with international law in this conflict, including following the licencing criteria governing arms sales, as well as calling on Israel to implement the provisional measures in the ICJ’s binding January ruling in full.

We also need to look forward to how we can build a just and lasting peace out of the horrors of this war. This can only happen with a clear pathway to a two-state solution, where both Israelis and Palestinians can have security, justice, freedom and opportunity in their own lands.

This must include working with international partners to recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to rather than outcome of that process, because statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and not in the gift of any neighbour.