UK politician Layla Moran reveals anguish over Israel-Palestine conflict

Layla Moran reads out in parliament the names of some of the children killed

Britain’s first MP of Palestinian heritage told the UK Parliament her “heart bleeds”, as she read out names of some of the children killed in Gaza and Israel.

“Ibrahim Al Masry, 11. Marwan Al Masry, 6. Rahaf Al Masry, 10, and Yazan Al Masry, aged just two,” Layla Moran said on Wednesday, as the UK government was summoned to the House of Commons to give its position on the violence.

“These are some of the names of the children killed this week, and last night an Israeli child was added.

“My heart breaks for them … my heart bleeds for Palestine, for Jerusalem, the city of my family, for the worshippers attacked by extremists at the Al Aqsa Mosque on the holiest night of Ramadan and for all innocent civilians – Israeli and Palestinian”, Ms Moran said.

The Israeli government “ignited a tinderbox” through its threatened forced evictions in Sheikh Jarrah, Jerusalem, she said, and condemned retaliatory strikes by Hamas, “because violence only begets more violence”.

Middle East minister James Cleverly said the UK “unequivocally condemns the firing of rockets” at Israel, described as “acts of terrorism from Hamas and other terrorist groups”.

He told parliament Israel had a “legitimate right to self defence”, but in doing so “it is vital that all actions are proportionate, in line with international humanitarian law and make every effort to avoid civilian casualties”.

Mr Cleverly also hit out at violence against “peaceful worshippers of any faith”. The comment followed the crackdown on Palestinian worshippers at the Al Aqsa Mosque.

“We are concerned about tensions in Jerusalem linked to threatened evictions of Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah. That threat is allayed for now, but we urge Israel to cease such actions, which in most cases are contrary to international law,” he said.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for an immediate end to the violence and said freedom of worship must be guaranteed.

"The indiscriminate launching of rockets from Hamas and other groups towards Israeli civilians is unacceptable," he said.

"While recognising Israel’s legitimate need to protect its civilian population, this response needs to be proportionate and with maximum restraint in the use of force."

On Tuesday, thousands of protesters flocked to London's Downing Street and Israel's embassy in the UK capital amid anger at Palestinian deaths from Israeli attacks.

Some held placards that read “Free Palestine” and “Hands Off Jerusalem”, while others demanded that Israel stop killing innocent civilians.

At one point a protester jumped on top of a group of pro-Israel counter-demonstrators being escorted away by police.

Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the UK Labour Party and outspoken advocate for the Palestinian cause, attended the rally.

Supporters of Palestine attend a demonstration outside Downing Street, in London. EPA

Police officers intervene to free traffic as pro-Palestinian activists participate in a demonstration outside Downing Street. AFP

Pro-Palestinian protesters stop a London bus in central London. AFP

Police officers intervene between pro-Israel activists and pro-Palestinian activists participating in a demonstration protesting outside Downing Street. AFP

A pro-Palestinian demonstrator wearing a mask holds a flare. Reuters

Supporters of Palestine attend a rally at Downing street. EPA

Palestinian flags are waved in London. Reuters

Pro-Palestinian activists participate in a demonstration outside Downing Street. AFP

Police officers stand guard as pro-Palestinian activists demonstrate near the Israeli Embassy in Kensington, London. AFP

Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for calm.

“I am urging Israel and the Palestinians to step back from the brink and for both sides to show restraint,” he said.

“The UK is deeply concerned by the growing violence and civilian casualties and we want to see an urgent de-escalation of tensions.”

___________

In pictures: pro-Palestinian demonstrations around the world

A supporter takes part in a Palestine Solidarity protest at the Irada Square outside the National Assembly, in Kuwait City. EPA

Protesters march during a demonstration against Israel in the city centre of Hebron, West Bank. EPA

People march during a protest against Israel in Karachi, Pakistan. EPA

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators during a protest against Israel near the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters

Players of Qatar's Al Sadd SC football club, wearing Palestinian-style embroidered scarves in solidarity with the Palestinian people, pose for a group photo ahead of the Emir Cup semi-final match in Qatar's capital Doha. AFP

Moustafa Almeky stands on a street light as he joins fellow pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside the White House after marching from the US State Department building in Washington. Reuters

A pro-Palestinian protester scuffles with pro-Israel demonstrators during a rally near the Consulate General of Israel in New York. EPA

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators march in a protest titled “Stop Jerusalem Expulsions, save Sheikh Jarrah”, from the US State Department to the White House area, in Washington. Reuters

Police officers intervene between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian activists participating in rival demonstrations, outside Downing Street in central London. AFP

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators attend a protest in London, following a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence. Reuters

A pro-Palestine protester takes part in a demonstration outside the US State Department in Washington. EPA

Jordanians protest in solidarity with the Palestinian people, near the Israeli embassy, in Amman. EPA

Protesters wave Palestinian flags as they gather for a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian people, near the Israeli embassy, in Jordan's capital Amman. AFP

A lone protester waves the Palestine flag during a demonstration in support of Palestine, outside the Israeli embassy, in Oslo, Norway. EPA

Leader of Tunisia's Popular Front and spokesman of the Tunisian Workers' Party Hamma Hammami and his wife lawyer Radhia Nasraoui during a demostration in solidarity with Palestinians in Tunis. EPA

Demonstrators gather outside of the Israel Trade office in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. AFP

Some of the hundreds of protesters supporting the South African Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement demonstrate outside the Israel Trade Mission against recent attacks by Israel on the Gaza Strip, in Johannesburg. EPA

Protesters shout slogans and wave Palestinian flags in support of Palestinians outside the Israeli embassy in Madrid, Spain. AP

A protester flashes a victory sign with a representation of a Palestinian headscarf on his hand, during a protest in Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo

Supporters of Lebanese leftist parties protest in support of the Palestinians in Jerusalem, as they march from Mar Elias camp to the Chatila Palestinian camp in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA