Layla Moran has urged the UK government to take concrete actions to match its tougher stance on Israel, highlighting the “unbearably cruel levels of destitution” faced by people in Gaza. The Liberal Democrat MP renewed her call for recognition of a Palestinian state and criticized the government for allowing trade from Israeli settlements and arming Israel despite the violence.
Moran’s appeal comes on behalf of Mohammad, an NHS surgeon whose elderly parents are stuck in northern Gaza. She described the situation as a “slaughterhouse” with people on the “brink of starvation” due to the Israeli blockade. In October, The Guardian spoke to Mohammad’s parents, who had been trapped in their home as drones patrolled outside. They fled after their home was bombed, killing Mohammad’s cousin and nephew.
The government has recently adopted a more critical tone towards Israel. Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer called the aid blockade “appalling,” “cruel,” and “indefensible,” while Foreign Secretary David Lammy discussed recognizing a Palestinian state with France and Saudi Arabia.
Despite these verbal changes, Moran remains frustrated with the lack of concrete actions from the government. She calls for the recognition of a Palestinian state as a signal to Israel that there are consequences to their actions. The plight of Mohammad’s family illustrates the impact that the situation in northern Gaza has on British citizens.
Mohammad, who has worked for the NHS for 20 years, describes the dire conditions in the Jabaliya refugee camp where the population is squeezed into a small area with no shelter or food. People are dying of hunger and bombing, with no access to medical treatment. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of aid and the soaring prices of basic supplies.
Moran stresses that starvation should not be a weapon of war and points out that the suffering of Mohammad’s family is just one of the many stories of people trapped in northern Gaza. She demands that the UK government intensify its efforts to end this crisis immediately.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/may/18/layla-moran-urges-more-action-on-israel-and-warns-of-cruel-destitution-in-gaza
