UK calls for 'immediate humanitarian ceasefire' in Gaza

While the motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza was adopted in the UK Parliament using the phrase 'immediate humanitarian ceasefire,' thousands of people held a protest outside the parliament calling for a ceasefire during the proceedings. Thousands gathered in front of the UK Parliament during the debate on the second motion submitted by the Scottish National Party (SNP) to call for a ceasefire.

Before the parliamentary debates, hundreds of people entered the parliament building to meet with their local MPs and urge them to vote in favor. Citizens wishing to meet with their representatives formed long queues in front of the building. Addressing the protesters gathered during the demonstration, former South African Jewish MP Andrew Feinstein stated that Palestine is a moral issue. Saying, "The people you elected and pay the salaries of are forgetting this," Feinstein expressed that British arms manufacturers are complicit in the genocide in Gaza. Emphasizing that the British public has been demanding a ceasefire since October 7, 2023, Feinstein said, "We must continue to remind them today, tomorrow, and until Palestine is free, that we are all Palestinian." Feinstein, who is announced to be a parliamentary candidate against the main opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, also recalled Mandela's words that South Africans would not be free until Palestine is free.

'CEASEFIRE NOW' PROJECTED ONTO BIG BEN

Andrew Murray from the Stop the War Coalition also stated in his speech, "Today is a day of shame for British politics," noting that the Conservative Party and the Labour Party, which had not submitted a motion to the parliament since October 7, slowed down the proceedings by submitting two different motions on the day the SNP submitted its ceasefire motion. Accusing the two largest parties in parliament of not hearing the voice of the people, Murray said, "Even Prince William made a call because our voices shook the walls of Buckingham Palace." Murray added, "Peace in the Middle East will come by stopping military interventions in the region, ending conflicts, and removing US and UK imperialism from the region."

Touching upon the general elections expected to be held this year, Murray also drew attention to the fact that voters should take into account what is happening in Gaza. During the protest, the phrases 'Ceasefire Now' and 'Stop the Bombing' were projected onto Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower), one of the symbols of the UK.

DREW THE REACTION OF PARLIAMENT

During the debates held while the protest was ongoing, Speaker of the House Lindsay Hoyle announced that the amendments made by the Conservative Party and the Labour Party to the SNP motion would also be discussed. All parties reacted to the fact that the motion would be discussed with the amendments for different reasons. While the ruling Conservative Party pointed out that only the government's amendments should be discussed on the day called 'Opposition Day,' the SNP emphasized that the first vote should be held on the SNP motion. Upon Hoyle's announcement that the first debate would be held on the SNP motion as amended by the Labour Party, Conservative Party and SNP MPs left the House of Commons. The Conservative Party's request for a secret ballot was rejected by a vote. Hoyle apologized to the parliament following the reactions.

The SNP's motion was adopted after being voted on with the amendment made by the Labour Party. The vote was conducted by MPs shouting 'aye' and 'no.' With the amendment made by the Labour Party, the phrase 'immediate humanitarian ceasefire' replaced 'immediate ceasefire' in the motion.

News Source: 12punto