Elham Asaad Buaras
The UK’s Prime Minister refused to confirm to Parliament whether he was considering deploying British troops to Gaza after the Scottish National Party demanded clarity on the issue.
Concerns about the potential deployment of British troops to the region were heightened after John Healey, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, raised the issue in Parliament on April 29. He asked Armed Forces Minister Leo Docherty to confirm “weekend reports that UK troops could be deployed to deliver aid on the ground in Gaza.” Docherty responded that he would “not comment on speculation that there might be a ground role for UK forces” in Gaza.
A few days later, on May 1, during Prime Minister’s Questions, SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn emphasized the public’s expectation that MPs “do not have a short memory when it comes to the potential deployment and involvement of our military in the Middle East.” He demanded answers regarding the potential role of the UK armed forces.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak replied that the Commons would “not expect me to get into any operational planning details” but said the UK Government was “absolutely committed to supporting international efforts to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza”.
Flynn stated that aid was necessary in Palestine, “because when people are not being bombed, they are starving to death.”
He added: “The solution to that is a ceasefire and the opening of safe ground routes, not the involvement on the ground of UK military personnel. These are dramatic and potentially dangerous developments. So, will the Prime Minister confirm to the House today that before he makes a decision, all members will be afforded a vote?”
The Prime Minister replied: “I’m not going to apologise for our armed forces playing a leading role in supporting international efforts to get more aid in. And indeed, we are sending the Royal Navy support ship RFA Cardigan Bay to the region to support that effort. But when he talks about this conflict, the fastest way to end this conflict is to ensure that we have a hostage deal that gets hostages out, aid in, and for there to be a sustainable pause in the fighting.
And it seems clear that there now is a workable offer on the table, so I hope he joins with me in encouraging all parties, including Hamas, to accept that deal so we can move towards a sustainable solution.”
The Liberal Democrat’s defence spokesperson, Richard Foord, stated that if UK troops were to be deployed in Gaza, Members of Parliament should first have a debate and vote on the matter. Former Labour leader – now an independent MP – Jeremy Corbyn asked the government to assure MPs the government will “not be deploying British troops anywhere on the ground in Gaza or the West Bank or any other part of the region.”
Tory MP Sir Julian Lewis, chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee, said it would be a “completely insane idea” and argued a better option would be for “moderate Arab neighbouring states” to distribute the aid.
Defence Committee Chair Sir Jeremy Quin said he understood the minister could not comment but warned that “some of the best laid, best-intentioned of plans can run into problems”. He sought assurances that the UK would only contemplate “UK boots on the ground” if “appropriate” protection was in place.
Photo: UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has refused to confirm to Parliament whether he was considering deploying British troops to Gaza. (Credit: Rory Arnold/No 10 Downing Street)
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