UK lawmaker urges govt to play role in de-escalating Israel-Palestine tensions

British Labour Minister Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi has urged the government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson to play its role in de-escalating the violence and rift that has erupted between Israel and Gaza, causing the deaths of multiple civilians, including children.

Israel carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Gaza on Wednesday and Palestinian fighters fired multiple rocket barrages at Tel Aviv and the southern city of Beersheba in the region’s most intense hostilities in years.

At least 49 people have been killed in Gaza since violence escalated on Monday, according to the enclave's health ministry. Six people have been killed in Israel, medical officials said.

Dhesi also took to Twitter to condemn the attacks on Palestinians.

“We cannot stand by in silence, in the face of forced evictions and the violent atrocities in occupied #Palestine,” Dhesi wrote.

The British MP, in his letter written to PM Johnson, expressed grave concerns over the violence that is unfolding between the Arab countries and the forced evictions of Palestinians living in the Sheikh Jarrah.

The violence is appalling, he wrote calling for action to be taken to end the violence through sanctions and international action. Dhesi further added that he would be grateful if the UK government and other nations collectively outline representations to de-escalate tensions and restore peace in Israel and Gaza.

Also read: At least 49 killed in Gaza as Israel carries out hundreds of airstrikes

Dhesi, in a tweet on May 8, appealed to maintain harmony and peace. “Concerned to hear about the worsening situation in occupied #Palestine. Why can’t everyone learn to live in peace and harmony? The forced evictions of Palestinians must be halted and the human rights of all protected,” he wrote.

The heaviest offensive between Israel and Hamas since a 2014 war in the Hamas-ruled enclave has increased international concern that the situation could spiral out of control.

The violence followed weeks of tension in Jerusalem during the Muslim fasting month of Ramazan, with clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters in and around Al-Aqsa Mosque, on the compound revered by Jews as Temple Mount and by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary.

These escalated in recent days ahead of a – now postponed - court hearing in a case that could end with Palestinian families being forcefully evicted from East Jerusalem homes claimed by Jewish settlers.