LONDON: British politician of Pakistani origin Sayeeda Warsi on Tuesday resigned from her ministry in protest against government policy on ongoing Gaza crisis, Express News reported.
Warsi announced this decision in a tweet:
With deep regret I have this morning written to the Prime Minister & tendered my resignation. I can no longer support Govt policy on #Gaza
— Sayeeda Warsi (@SayeedaWarsi) August 5, 2014
More than 1,800 Palestinians have lost their lives in the latest deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas.
First Muslim woman to sit in the Cabinet, Warsi was a minister at the Foreign Office and minister for faith and communities.
Warsi, daughter of Pakistani immigrants, was made a member of the House of Lords in 2007.
She was appointed to Cameron's Cabinet when his coalition government took power in 2010 and while she initially had a high media profile, her star had dimmed in recent years.
She was shuffled out of the full Cabinet, the powerful inner circle of government ministers, in 2012.
Cameron's coalition government has drawn criticism, including from the opposition Labour party, for not taking a tougher line against Israel over operations in Gaza.
He said on Monday that the UN was "right" to condemn the shelling of a UN school in Gaza which killed 10 people on Sunday but declined to say whether he thought it breached international law.
'Arms export to Israel must stop'
In her resignation letter, Warsi had written that the “approach and language during the current crisis in Gaza is morally indefensible, is not in Britain’s national interest and will have a long term detrimental impact on our reputation internationally and domestically”.
My resignation letter pic.twitter.com/BmApmywfOX
— Sayeeda Warsi (@SayeedaWarsi) August 5, 2014
Warsi, in an exclusive interview with the Huffington Post, said “It appalls me that the British government continues to allow the sale of weapons to a country, Israel, that has killed almost 2,000 people, including hundreds of kids, in the past four weeks alone. The arms exports to Israel must stop.”
The former foreign minister further said that she wants to “speak more freely” in regard to demanding the UK government to introduce an arms embargo.
She said, “It appalls me that the British government continues to allow the sale of weapons to a country, Israel, that has killed almost 2,000 people, including hundreds of kids, in the past four weeks alone. The arms exports to Israel must stop.”
Warsi, despite resigning based on Britain’s stance on Israel, made it clear that she was not in support of Hamas either, saying “Hamas is a terrorist organisation, and there can never be any excuse for it to fire rockets targeting civilians in Israel. It too must be held accountable for the misery it inflicts upon both the Israelis and the Palestinians.”
A Downing Street spokesperson, in response to Warsi’s resignation said, “The prime minister regrets that Baroness Warsi has decided to stand down and is grateful for the excellent work that she has done, both as a minister and in opposition," as reported by The Guardian.
Cameron 'sorry' over Warsi's resignation
British Prime Minister David Cameron in a letter to Warsi said he was "sorry to receive" her resignation and thanked her for her services, continued support over seven years of her service.
"I realise that this must not have been an easy decision for you to make and very much regret that we were not able to speak about your decision beforehand."
Cameron added that he understands Warsi's strength of feeling on the current crisis in the Middle East - "the situation in Gaza is intolerable."
"Our policy has always been consistently clear: We support a negotiated two state situation as the only way to resolve this conflict once and for all and to allow Israelis and Palestinians to live safely in peace."
Further, he lauded her efforts in building relationships with the countries and leaderships of Central Asia, particularly her role in supporting democracy and womens’ rights in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Cameron also reminded her that the United Kingdom has repeatedly called for an unconditional and immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. "
"Of course, we believe that Israel has the right to defend itself. But we have consistently made clear our grave concerns about the heavy toll of civillian casualties and have called on Israel to exercise restraint, and to find ways to bring this fighting to an end."
COMMENTS (82)
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@Kicker .. I assure you Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and UAE people are with Gaza and we support it by every mean! For 60 years and FOREVER Israel will be our enemy! Why? Because they started war with who hosted them and gave them peace .. Israel will never be supprted by the people .. governments however are America's dogs! Especially Egyptian new government which obviously "made in USA" ..
Regarding Hamas using kids as shields! I don't know what your stupid resources are, but let me tell you they are all crystal clear lies by the IDF to give excuses for murdering 400+ kids! Hamas is supported by allllllll people of Palestine .. they defend people of palestine and the land .. and there's no way they are terrorists .. so change your resources and use your brain!
i slaute her bold decision at least she had a courage to show her support for Muslims of Gaza salman zafar no need to demonize anything good done by muslims..........
@Rex Minor: Nonsense. When in Pakistan, she calls her a Pakistani. I have listened to her on Pakistani TV channels when she visited Pakistan last time. Of course, when she wants to show her superior to Pakistanis when she is in Pakistan, she refers herself as British. Anyhow, she is lot better than Lord Nazir who had to confess to his "Twisted Mind" after offering $10 million reward on Obama and said he would do it even if he had to sell his house in UK. Europe has has a high population of muslim extremists who have fled from muslim countries to seek asylum there. So, Europe is scared what these extremists and terrorists would do. They saw the Sapin bombings, London bombings, etc. More than Europe, now watch for China. Have you read this report in Yesterday's Los Angeles times? http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-80998589/
Read every line of it. There are so many controls that China has in place for muslims. China controls and restricts every aspect of life of muslims, very intrusively. They force feed them during Ramzan fasting hours, do not allow them to eat during Ramzan feasting hours, they control what muslims can wear and even the color of dress they can wear, make them watch movies discouraging veil, they control what music they can listen, the imams of mosques can only preach what Chinese government wants, and they even do not allow islamic greetings or words that praise Allah. Earlier, in their official media they called muslims uncultured and violent people. In G-B region of Pakistan, they Chinese refused to vacate their offices when they had to according to the contract. When China starts to control a region they never vacate it. Their occupation is more or less permanent. China is fed up of islamic terrorism and very soon they shall throw their weight behind Israel. Europe will then get some courage and you will see a "New World Order". France has started to act against Islamic terrorism and are going after the islamic practices that nurture these mindset. So, is Turkey.
The point is that, Israel may have gone overboard and their actions may be in excessive and more aggressive. But, it was Hamas that started it. More importantly, when muslims keep quiet on the atrocities that are a thousand fold more, that they commit on their own, the world community is not foolish. Let Israel be referred to UN this time and you will see China vetoing any action on Israel. China will come out in the open in its support for Israel and that will be the real game changer.
@Strategic At: Nonsence and the misread of her act!! She is a Baroness for life and a true European who speaks for the European spirit; Spain has frozen the supplies of arms to Israel, while the 28 European Governments are in the process of preparing a package of sanctions against Israel. No European Government can allow the sleeping genie of the anti-semitism spectre from the extreme right.
Rex Minor
@antony: "@IndianMuslim, Your allegation against India or Indians shows you are disloyal to India. " In another comment elsewhere, he confessed to being happy that his family immigrated out of India and that he doesn't live in a country like India any more. He uses his moniker only to throw off Indians and get a little acceptability from them.
@Mohammad Ayub Khan: My sympathy is with you
@ajeet: stupid comments
@Malik Tariq: its due to the demographics of his constituency that Galloway supports Palestine.
@Razi: How quickly you and your ilk forget! Remember 1946, when Jinnah called for Direct Action day, over 5000 people were massacred in Calcutta. He is honored in Pakistan as the Qaid!
@Umar: India has always supported the Palestinian cause, though not necessarily their shenanigans earlier in Lebanon, Jordan etc. and now terror organizations like Hamas. BTW, during Black September (1970), one Brigadier Zia-ul-Haq, led Jordan's Second Division to kill 25,000 Palestinians, many times more than killed by Israel in all its wars with the Arabs, including Palestinians.
Despite being accorded the privilege of the title of Baroness and a direct entry into the House of Lords, Sayeeda Warsi has stuck true to her Pakistani roots by putting religion above country.
@ajeet: If she was born in UK , how can she change her citizenship? You must be out of your mind or you are stupid person with no knowledge of British law. Shame on you. You should go and jump in the lake.
@Pike: We get a chance and atmosphere in India only to show our talent, so that we need not go to foreign countries to represent them. Results at commonwealth games are in front of you.
@ajeet: She is a citizen of UK, with a right to exercise her freedom and stand up for what she believes to be voice of conscience. Britain is her country of birth and why should she give up her citizenship, when she is actively involved in the politics of that country. Galloway a British MP has been Strong critic of Israel, perhaps Mr Ajeet would like him to give up his citizenship, as if being British binds you to do that. There are many Jews who are not Zionists and have openly criticised Israeli atrocities in Gaza, should they also be outcast from their faith or citizenship of UK, France, USA and even Isreal.
What a misguided soul! Her action will not help Gaza residents one iota. At the same time, assuming she was elected from her constituency, she betrayed the people who voted for her. Rather than represent her constituents, she throws a hissy fit and quits her job. What about all the people who were hoping that she would represent them? The degree of her commitment to her elected position is pitiful. Her attitude is 'if it is not my way, I am going to pout and quit' - like a three year old. A Total Idiot!
politicians make decisions based on their political priorities…and syeeda is no exception - it is as simple!!!
It think she did what others thought about but couldn't do. There is a lot of sympathy among Britons of all races for Gazans. I am sure Cameron thinks the same way but there are lines which he can't cross. Western media and politicians are helpless against Israel. Still couldn't figure out why. One non Muslim Briton was telling me joined a protest against Israel among 100000 others nothing reported on media. And it's happening every day.
A brave decision by a brave lady. An eye opener for OIC, which has no dare to even release a statement. What a shame...
We should not question her intention. Nobody can fully read anyone's heart, but the fact of the matter is that the oppression on Palestinians must be stopped. It raises more questions about those, who talk about peace and civilization and yet remain silent on such a brutality. However, I condemned the Muslim states more than anyone else.
@Razi: May I remind you of mass murder of 80+ Christians in their church by Mr.Sharif whom you all elected? What about mass murdering 70+ Hazaras by your elected members of parliament/assembly?
Why going so far into the past? Haven't your elected members killed 3 Ahmedias just a week ago?
Nobody is angel in this world. It is just that we don't get to know about our own shortcomings, but develop a keen eye for others'.
@ajeet = And I am wondering that why Ajeet is not worried about problems in India ( world's biggest democracy) where rape takes place after every 8 hours. The picture of farmers suicide rate is very dismal, as in Maharashtra alone it is 30 per 100.000. Killing and attacks on Minorities that include physical and sexual assaults, murder and desecration of places of worship and graveyards is very common and the rise is at alarming pace.
Furthermore, in recent times India have betrayed its Palestinian friends, as Yaser Arafat was once darling of India and now is mum on the subject. However, coming back to Sayeeda Warsi's brave and courageous decision, hats off to her. This is a slap on the face of all global hypocrites and I am confident that her move will now force others to speak and it should bring global change in soft attitude.
Disregarding all posts from Indians and with greatest respect Pakistani origin Pakistanis....We British Pakistanis understand this was a brave and courageous step. Well done Baroness. This woman has given up a seat that is worth a million times more than the pathetic local council seats that uneducated power hungry Pakistanis fight over.
@Razi: The fact is that Muslims of India voted for Modi in huge numbers to make him the Prime Minister of India. Modi won decisively in all areas where the percentage of muslim voters was high. Muslims of Pakistan may not like Modi but Muslims of India like and love Modi.
Hats off to her
@dr shabir choudhry: The Baroness is not a Pakistani but a Britsh by birth! She is a conservative politician and has takee wen the right decision in resigning the post in Foreign office, if she feels that she cannot defend UK Prime Minister posture on Gaza massacre. Let no one underestimate the conscious of the Europeans which has been shattered after a month watching the slaughter of infants and children and women on TV screen.
Rex Minor
People of Muslim religion and mostly who believe in Sharia and Islamic laws have no business living in US, UK, West, Europe, etc. because these countries' governance, policy, polity and constitution are totally incompatible with Islam. Muslims should live in 50 or 60 Muslim nations and with the help of their UMMAH and OIC make a Heaven on Earth - model for whole mankind, like a Caliphate, in accordance with Islam, Sharia, and the tenets of peace and love and brotherhood preached by ISLAM. Wouldn't that be noble and exemplary?
Pakistan needs to fix itself:
Education Healthcare Justice Law Enforcement Equality (for women and minorities) Economic & social justice Rampent and uncontrolable Mullahism
Pakistan has HUGE potential. We need to get back to Jinnah's program.
Warsi is a successful politician of Pakistani/muslim origin. It is a great credit to UK that her ethnicity and religion did not hold her back from becoming a cabinet minister. But lets focus on Pakistan and fix our country.
She was appointed to that position anyway
@IndianMuslim, Your allegation against India or Indians shows you are disloyal to India. India voted against Israel in UN condemning its actions against civilians and always support 2 state solution where palestine people rule their land. Indians like me are always vary of muslims as you only scream for muslims when enemy is non muslim..You will not condemn or come out in protest where 100,000 civilians are killed in Syria /Iraq where Muslims fight muslims.
This is only a stunt she wants publicity and sympathy she has been trying for many years to move to Pakistan politics but not succeeded. She has also been chasing Chasing Ch Nisar for a seat but not succeeded
@ajeet Minorities are targeted in Pakistan and that is extremely sad and condemnable. But we have never elected a mass murderer of people from a minority community as our PM, unlike what you people have done.
@ajeet: If you are indian citizen and you don't agree with Modi's govt. policies or Congress Govt. policies then does it mean you should leave India ? or you should register your protest on the govt. policies.
@ajeet: We are also worried about India where minorities are being killed last over 65 years.
It Takes a lot of guts and strong principle person to do what she did especially in a country like Britian, Pakistani politicians should take a lesson from her, Pakistan needs to produce daughter like her only then Pakistan can rise above its shallow politicians. You have definately become my leader.
@Umar: Irrespective of what I or someone else says, you can always look at the side India votes on in the UN resolutions on this topic. While it has to be said that the way Hamas have dealt with this occupation has left a lot to be desired. Nonetheless, India has always supported and recognised the right of the Palestinian people to have their own state. Lets hope better sense prevails on both sides. Especially on the Israeli side.
@Mishrab: "......However we know that it wont change UK policy in this matter."
More than half a million people marched on the streets of London, to protest against the on-comming UK-US led attack on Iraq. Yet, following Tony Blair's orders, the English soldiers started bombing Baghdad and Basra. That's the real face of democracy as practised in England.
Welldone Madam
huh she is British you moron@ajeet:
@ajeet:
Your comment smack of hypocrisy
@ahmer: If mentioned allegations contain truth then you are the only logical commentator.
@Observer: She fulfilled her moral and human obligation complete and full. Many salutes to her. We are proud of her.
Baroness Saeeda warsi resigns over Gaza policy? Is that the real reason? why did it take death of nearly 2000 people, injuring of thousands and destruction of billion of worth property, for her conscience to awake up. In political circles there are some other stories circulating. It is not just Gaza.
@Truth detector: Lets see what's Pakistan's mindset is. Minorities are targeted everyday inside your country, but you are worried about Palestine?
I am with the Saudis, Egypt, UAE and Jordan on this one. HAMAS must not be supported. They are terrorists who use women and children as shields. They are part of the big game towards a so-called Islamic State.
@Rahul: May be Indians like you should comment more on public forums, because some haters from your country make a very bad(or as you are calling it wrong) impression about your country.
I would like to know how many Pakistani Muslims would like to go to Gaza and fight the Jews.
exceptional decision from an exceptional leader.... Warsi, you the hero
@Marco:
''The issue that comes up time and time again is terrorism. I was astonished to see how deep this had gone in this country in an opinion poll recently. This said 51 percent of people questioned said when they heard the word “Muslim” the first thought that came into their mind was “terrorist”. These polls are never reliable but not completely wrong either.'' TARIQ ALI
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=21715
Madam resigned against the government's policy on Gaza . So far policy is concerned there is no change since last couple of years. Policy is the same. Britain supported Israel on her stand earlier too and this time also that Israel has the right of defense from Gaza (Hamas).
Britain also has the unchanged policy on Iraq where her troops joined USA. ISIS militants has captured Mosul killed Shias, forced the Christians either to convert to Islam or pay Jijia tax or leave empty handed for lives. Britain adopting he policy of indifference/ equidistant but the madam was in conformity with the policy towards Iraq / ISIS. Politics is a dirty game and she fears a backlash and opposition in the community at UK which might erode her position and it does not appear to be a principled stand but a calculated stand.
@ajeet: Are you serious. Is this your logical thinking????
another example of TNT. For her religion is more important than national interest.
I usually do not comment on forums but reading the comments I must say that many in India are sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. In fact historically India has been very supportive of the Palestinian people.
this lady was investigated for making fraudulent financial claims as a minister and failing to register her properties properly. She further maligned pakistanis without any basis in being involved in sex trade off white women. Read the article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9275179/Some-Pakistani-men-see-white-women-as-fair-game-says-Baroness-Warsi.html.
This is nothing more then a publicity stunt as she was already being sidelined in the party. People like her who have never spoken out against the taliban, and murderers of shias and ahmedis, are only looking at media opportunities. The lives of 50,000 innocent civilian pakistanis are worth more but with people like her, they are worth nothing.
Certainly a very brave move by a Muslim British minister Sayeeda Warsi. You have made us proud.
This is the silliest move anyone in her position (with political power as a FM) could have made. It's absolutely stupid and outrageous.
she did what she felt right and it is right to protest by any means. However we know that it wont change UK policy in this matter.
@Ajeet
Your comments reflect typical pitiful & disgraceful Indian mindset.
I salute Wardi for her bold step.
@ajeet: its non of your business...
observer, why are you indians so obsessed with "foreign origin" these are not Indian guest workers in Kuwait, they are citizens of Great Britain. Just like the megastars who have represented Great Britain on the world stage and dominated their respective fields, Amir Khan (Pak), Lennox Lewis (Jamaican origin), Lewis Hamilton (Grenada), Linford Christie (Jamaica)... No Indian has ever accomplished what these "foreign origin" people have accomplished. LOL
@ajeet: That is a bigoted comment, she is a British citizen, she was born and raised there and she has the right to express her views, most British people actually oppose Israel's actions unlike Indians who blindly support Israel just because of their dislike for Muslims.
Nothing but respect for her. Can we please just stop second guessing people's motives and how much good it will do that one MP resigned! she took a stand and that is more than others have done and she should be praised and acknowledged for it!
@ King George, are you having a laugh, the conservative party is hated for its attempted wholesale privatization of the NHS, and other much bigger issues, nobody forced her to do anything. I know there will be an abundance of self hating Paks and Indians on this post, non of whom live in the UK.
@Observer, you may think like that in India, or the Gulf (where you work for years without citizenship) but not here in the UK, just this week a whole load of "foreign origin" athletes won medals for England in the commonwealth games, Nicola Adams (gold), Qais Ashfaq (silver)..etc. And thats just in boxing. Half (or more) of our national football team is black. Things here are judged by Merit, not race..
@ King George, are you having a laugh, the conservative party is hated for its attempted wholesale privatization of the NHS, and other much bigger issues, nobody forced her to do anything. I know there will be an abundance of self hating Paks and Indians on this post, non of whom live in the UK.
@Observer, you may think like that in India, or the Gulf (where you work for years without citizenship) but not here in the UK, just this week a whole load of "foreign origin" athletes won medals for England in the commonwealth games, Nicola Adams (gold), Qais Ashfaq (silver)..etc. And thats just in boxing. Half (or more) of our national football team is black. Things here are judged by Merit, not race!
@King George: @Rojer: I cannot believe your comments can be real. Was she responsible for initiating the brutality or was she in a position to stop it? Her courage to take a principled stand is praiseworthy. She could not enforce a switch in the UK policy so she decided to resign which is what any conscientious leader would do.
Must be appreciated rather making fun of it, it is a very bold decision people like many in the comments wants to cut her throat and if she does that they may ask for more any how well done to the miseries of GAZA peoples hats off to you
A lady with a conscience and willing to act on her convictions..........well done brave lady.
May Allah bless you and reward you for this act of humanity. For our leaders, this is what you call a principled stand. Shame on our leaders; your principles (and principal) comes from the so-called leaders of the Ummah who are silent over the brutalities and are allegedly working hand in glove with the enemy.
Respect Baroness Warsi. Honourable, sincere and heroic decision.
In other words, threatened and forced by Pakistani/muslim community to step down.
The GB in trouble !!
Saeeda Warsi I salute you for your courage and dignity. May Allah bless you in His infinite mercy and benevolence
WOW, Huge and totally unexpected. Esp from someone like Warsi.
Ok so she wakeup when every thing is done and dusted.
And what will happen by resignation of one foreign origin MP?
She should also give up her citizenship to take this protest to its logical and and move to Pakistan.