Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters rallied outside Parliament in the UK during a significant vote in the House of Commons. MPs were voting on “Amendment H”, proposed by the Scottish National Party. This amendment called on the UK government to join international efforts in urging all parties to agree on an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Gaza. This vote, however, ended with a majority of MPs voting against the proposal, tallying 294 against to 125 in favor. With a significant presence from the Conservative Party in the ‘no’ votes, several members of other parties, including the SNP, Liberal Democrats, and the Labour Party, voted in favor of the amendment. Meanwhile, as voting procedures transpired, the pro-Palestine protest outside Parliament grew, with estimates placing the figure at over 15,000 individuals. Full Story
The rally was organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK (PSC), following a series of protests in support of Palestine. Notably, these demonstrations include what has been considered the largest in UK history, with reports suggesting as many as a million protesters. On the day before the vote, the PSC called on the public to urge their MPs to vote for the ceasefire.
The Scottish National Party’s call for an immediate ceasefire was unequivocal, with party leader Stephen Flynn rejecting the notion of temporary ‘humanitarian pauses’. Flynn’s assertion that “to any neutral observer, war crimes are being committed by Israel in Gaza” illustrates the forcefulness of SNP’s position on the issue.
The international community’s appeal for a ceasefire has been gaining momentum. Recently, UN bodies collectively called for a ceasefire, attracting 18 signatures. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis and the urgency of humanitarian aid to Gaza, stated, “Gaza is becoming a graveyard for children”.