Iran's attacks on Israel are a reckless and dangerous escalation. They must stop.

Israelis deserve to live in safety and security.

We must avert a regional war.

I am told that this footage is from Hebron, a couple of weeks ago.

Nothing to be said.

William Patey and I were delighted to welcome friends to the Labour Middle East Councils inaugural Iftar, bringing together diplomats from 16 nations alongside parliamentarians, UK businesses, media and academia. Thank you to our special guest Wayne David and to Fawaz Bin Mohammed Alkhalifa.

Earlier today, I raised the serious situation in the West Bank. I made the point that only last week Israel advanced plans for a further 3,400 settler homes. A firm position is needed against settler expansion, if we are to lay the groundwork for a 2 state solution.

Blaming Hamas for every Israeli atrocity is the argument of an abusive partner: “Look what you made me do!”

Hamas bears responsibility for Oct 7. Israel bears responsibility for its indiscriminate assault on Gaza. Neither justifies the other.

In the run-up to the incendiary trifecta of the war in Gaza, the tensions at Al Aqsa, and the March 10 beginning of Ramadan, see my new Al Majalla analysis of the issues and dynamics in play.

Fears mount over rising Al-Aqsa tensions as Ramadan nears en.majalla.com/node/311906/po…

Labour wants an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

We want an end to the fighting now, no Israeli ground offensive against Rafah, all hostages returned & aid ramped up.

A ceasefire observed by all sides, building into a process of peace through a two-state solution.

Seems very sensible to ensure the best possible outcome.

Powerful words by 102 years old philosopher Edgar Morin, one of France's most revered intellectual figures, as well as a Jewish WW2 resistant who fought as a lieutenant in De Gaulle's France combattante.

Here are his words on Gaza: 'I am both astonished…

labourmena.co.uk/about

'The establishment of the Labour Middle East Council (LMEC) is both timely and critical, aimed at enhancing the Party's understanding of, and engagement with, the region.'

✍️ Sir William Patey, Co-chair of LMEC and former British Ambassador
politicshome.com/thehouse/artic…

The Bibi version of 'from the river to the sea'...

'There is a danger of retaliation': Sir William Patey former head of the Middle East department at the Foreign Office tells Sophy Ridge news.sky.com/video/there-is…

On Sky News tonight at 1910 to talk about threats in the Red Sea.

Good thread reflecting on Gaza, Northern Ireland, the many differences between them, but the commonality of needing a political solution.

Mahmoud Abbas Must Go nytimes.com/2023/12/21/opi… A Palestinian voice of reason that the international community should listen to.

Ahead of today's vote, a group of foreign policy and military experts, including a former chief of the UK Armed Forces, are calling on David Cameron to support an immediate ceasefire at the UN Security Council. Not doing so will equal an abdication of political and moral duty.

I am one of those former Ambassadors who signed this letter.

This was just sent to me by the friends in Anglican community in Jerusalem.

I know of kothing more urgent right now.

Extremist settlers, by targeting and killing Palestinian civilians, are undermining security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Israel must take stronger action to stop settler violence and hold the perpetrators accountable.

We are banning those responsible for…