In a statement to the House of Commons yesterday, Britain’s International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell said that the “suffering of ordinary Palestinians” in the Israel-Gaza war must push global powers into finding a peaceful outcome.
Mr Mitchell also warned the war had the potential to “radicalise” people across the world, causing further conflict. For that reason, he said a political settlement was sorely needed. “This issue is uniquely polarising, we have seen across the world and in our own communities its potential to radicalise,” Mr Mitchell added.
Read the statement in full and the debate that ensued amongst MPs HERE.
During the debate, Labour's shadow international development minister Lisa Nandy asked whether Mr Mitchell agreed the UK’s support for Israel was not a “blank cheque.” Mr Mitchell responded: “Of course, she is right about that." "Good friends deliver hard messages, and they are able to do so precisely because they are good friends," he added.