There are widespread reports that Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has made plans to unilaterally annex parts of the occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank, as early as 1 July.

Rushanara Ali MP said: 

“This would be disastrous, and represents a real threat to the prospect of a peaceful two-state solution. Any annexation would be illegal and would have a devastating impact on the human rights of Palestinians.  

Every effort must be made to secure comprehensive peace in the Middle east, to end the senseless cycle of violence and suffering in both Israel and Palestine.

The UK Government must uphold their duty to defend basic human rights, and commit to concrete measures if Israel ploughs ahead with the illegal annexation. Words are not enough, and real action is needed.”

Rushanara has consistently campaigned for a two-state solution.  In 2011 and 2019 she visited the West Bank with a delegation of Parliamentarians, to meet various UN agencies, Palestinian and Israeli human rights organisations, as well as visiting Medical Aid for Palestinians’ healthcare projects.  

Earlier this year Rushanara coordinated a cross-party letter to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, calling for action against Israeli annexation and rejecting President Trump’s so called Middle East  plan’, which you can read here. 

In June 2020 she supported a joint letter signed by over a thousand parliamentarians across Europe against annexation, which you can read here.