‘The people of Palestine must have the full protection of nations that respect the rule of law’

Welsh MPs urged to vote for Gaza ceasefire ahead of Wednesday vote

Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP, has today (Monday 19 February) urged all Welsh MPs to vote in favour of a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.

The SNP-tabled motion, which has been signed by the three Plaid Cymru MPs, calls for an “immediate ceasefire”, for “the immediate release of all hostages taken by Hamas” and an end to the “collective punishment of the Palestinian people”. It will be debated and voted upon on Wednesday (21 February).

Liz Saville Roberts urged Welsh MPs to support the SNP’s motion on Wednesday, criticising the Labour leader Keir Starmer for “failing to stand for humanity” so far. She added that “the people of Palestine must have the full and consistent protection of all nations that respect the rule of law”.

A Plaid Cymru motion was supported in the Senedd on 8 November after the Labour Welsh Government abstained and offered its backbenchers a free vote. The motion, which condemned the attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians, and the Israeli government’s “indiscriminate attacks on Gaza”, was carried by 24 votes to 19, with 13 Senedd members abstaining.

Plaid Cymru Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP said:

“The Israeli government has confirmed it is planning a full-scale military offensive in Rafah where over 1 million people were forced to flee for safety. There's nowhere left for them to go. It would be unconscionable for the House of Commons to refuse to call for an immediate ceasefire in the face of such a threat.

 “That’s why Plaid Cymru are calling on all Welsh MPs to support the SNP’s ceasefire motion on Wednesday. The right time to call for a ceasefire was months ago. Now, with the death toll having risen beyond 28,000, we all have an opportunity to stand for humanity and for peace.

 “The people of Palestine must have the full and consistent protection of all nations that respect the rule of law. The motion calls for a ceasefire on both sides and for the immediate release of all hostages taken by Hamas and an end to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. The motion is clear; the Labour Party’s stance is less so. This is Keir Starmer’s opportunity to attempt to finally stand up for humanity.”