Douglas Alexander makes statement on Gaza conflict

Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander has made a statement on the worsening situation in Gaza. Alexander criticises both militants in Gaza, condemning the firing of rockets into Israel, and the Israeli airstrikes, saying it fuels further extremism and that the “humiliation of Palestinians leads only to further suffering”.

Read his full statement:

“The spiral of violence that has engulfed Gaza, southern Israel and the West Bank is bringing untold suffering to innocent people.

“I condemn the firing of rockets into Israel by Gaza based militants. No government on earth would tolerate such attacks on its citizens but ‎the rapidly growing number of Palestinian civilians killed in Gaza by Israeli air strikes risks fuelling yet more extremism and conflict.

“The life of a Palestinian child is worth no less than the life of an Israeli child. Every life is equal, irrespective of religion or nationality. A spiral of violence ‎that reinforces the insecurity of Israelis and the humiliation of Palestinians leads only to further suffering.

“This is a time and this is a crisis that demands not revenge, but statesmanship motivated by justice.

“All sides have a responsibility to respect in full the November 2012 cease fire and to address the underlying causes of conflict and instability in Gaza and the region.

“The people of Israel have the right to live without constant fear for their security, just as the people of Gaza also have the right to live in peace.

“The UK Government must now work with international allies to encourage restraint, dialogue and efforts towards peace at this time of great and grave danger.”