Greens call for safe routes and support for refugees from Gaza and end to genocide
The Scottish Greens have called for and end to genocide in Gaza and for the UK government to offer safe routes and support for people fleeing the humanitarian disaster.
The party’s justice and human rights spokesperson, Maggie Chapman, has accused successive UK governments of complicity in the atrocities being inflicted on Palestinians by Israeli forces and the resulting humanitarian crisis. She has called for an end to the hostile environment that has punished generations of refugees and people seeking asylum and is demanding safe passage for people in need.
There are currently no safe routes for people seeking asylum from Gaza to find safety in the UK.
Ms Chapman said:
“If Jesus and his family were alive today, they would be suffering under the genocidal Israeli regime, and would not be offered support or safe passage by the UK’s Home Office. The festive season should be one of compassion, love and peace. And yet the UK Government seems determined to perpetuate violence, starvation and genocide.
“The humanitarian cost of the genocide in Gaza has been catastrophic, and the UK government is utterly complicit, with arms sales to Israel continuing, and a deep political support for the assault.
“There is a particular moral responsibility on those governments who have fuelled the crisis to support people who have suffered as a result. The arms sales and the complicity must end and the focus must be on achieving an immediate ceasefire and lasting justice for Palestinians.
“At the same time, we must also offer safe passage and sanctuary for refugees, just as we did, rightly, for those affected by Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
“There are thousands of Palestinians who live in the UK. Many have lost loved ones and friends, and they remain terrified about the impact of the bombardment on those who have been under siege for too long.
“By putting up needless barriers and hurdles, the UK is further punishing people who are already facing one of the gravest humanitarian crises in the world.
“The UK rightly created a visa scheme to allow Ukrainian applicants to seek refuge here. Particularly bearing in mind the complicity of the UK in the ongoing genocide, it is long past time for a similar scheme for Palestinians.”
Pointing to the values of the traditional Christmas story, Ms Chapman called for the UK government to end the hostile anti-migrant environment and to take a far more compassionate and humanitarian approach that supports people who need it.
Ms Chapman added:
“The traditional Christmas story is one of compassion and support for a family in a time of crisis. But what would happen if that story were taking place now?
“If Jesus and his family were alive today, as refugees trying to escape a murderous leader, they would be facing bombardment after bombardment, and the Home Office would criminalise them and refuse safe passage. If they made it to the UK they would likely face brutal conditions and a hostile environment designed to humiliate and punish them.
“This Christmas, and every day, the UK Government must act to stop the genocide and work for peace in the Middle East.”