Dear Laura Farris MP,

We are signing this letter as your constituents; we are asking you to make a public statement calling for an immediate ceasefire and a complete end to the siege on Gaza so that sufficient humanitarian supplies can reach the population in vital need.

Since 7th October 2023, Israel’s ongoing bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip has killed over 12,300 Palestinians – over 40% of them have been children, and 30% of them have been women. Over a million and a half people have been forcibly displaced, nearly half of Gaza’s entire population. Nowhere in Gaza is safe. Residential buildings have been levelled, UNRWA schools sheltering the displaced have been hit, and fuel is running out, leaving overwhelmed hospitals collapsing and unable to treat those injured.

In grave violation of international law, Israel has placed Gaza under a total siege, cutting off electricity, fuel, water, and food.

And things are going to get worse, as Israel has further intensified its bombardment and confirmed it is planning to go even further and launch a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.  

International scholars and Palestinian human rights organisations are warning of the possibility of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Urgent action is needed to deter and prevent the crime of genocide and stop further catastrophic loss of life. As Palestinian civil society has outlined, inaction at the crime of genocide “will incur legal consequences and risks and undermine the integrity and credibility of international law.”

In the past three weeks, over half a million people have taken to UK streets demanding de-escalation, with 76% of the public backing an immediate ceasefire. It’s been heartening to see lots of MPs visibly showing support. As an MP, you have the power to put pressure on our government to prevent the deaths of more people – your action on this couldn’t be more urgent. The only way to stop the further deterioration of the situation is through a ceasefire enforced and guaranteed by the UN.

As your constituent, we are asking for you to call on the government to take steps to de-escalate, including revoking all licences for the export of weapons and military technology to Israel. More weapons will only mean more suffering.  

Thousands of lives depend on politicians acting now – and we hope we can count on you to act now and help prevent a further catastrophic loss of life.