British Parliamentary Committee Urges Government To Admit Palestine

JAKARTA - The UK Parliament's International Development Committee urged their government to recognize the Palestinian state, including setting terms that must be met and a planned action schedule.

The committee issued reports on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, developments in the West Bank, and the condition of Palestinians who were expelled.

"The government must outline the steps to be taken to recognize the Palestinian state, including conditions that need to be met and a planned action schedule," the report said.

The report said Israel's response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 caused significant civilian casualties and destroyed civilian infrastructure in Gaza.

Referring to the international court's decision to demonstrate the risk of international law violations in Gaza, the report stated, "We believe there is a reasonable risk that Israel's military campaign in Gaza may include serious violations of international humanitarian law, which led to allegations of genocide."

The report also emphasizes the importance of the recognition of the Palestinian state to achieve lasting and sustainable peace in the region.

It was stated in the report that 500 aid trucks were needed every day to meet Gaza's humanitarian needs, but the average number only reached 25.

The report also highlighted worrying claims about the use of drones targeting civilians following Israeli airstrikes.

Regarding Israel's actions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the report noted that between October 7, 2023, and October 31, 2024, Israel destroyed 1,800 Palestinian-owned buildings and killed 736 Palestinians in the same period.

In addition, the report revealed that 1,722 Palestinians were expelled due to land confiscation by Israel during that period.

The committee urged the British government to make every possible effort to ensure that Israel is responsible for any ongoing international humanitarian law violations.