Push for chief minister to call for Gaza ceasefire

Deputy David Dorrity is the lead signatory of the letter to the chief minister

Pressure has been put on Guernsey's chief minister to write to the UK government to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Twelve of 38 Guernsey deputies have written to Chief Minister Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez.

It follows a move by Jersey's chief minister earlier this week, in which he wrote to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy urging British pressure be maintained to end the conflict and "immediate cessation of violence against civilians and the release of all hostages."

De Sausmarez said she will reply to the letter early next week.

Guernsey's lead on external relations for the past nine years, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, is currently not working in the role after he was arrested on suspicion of telecomunications offences earlier this week.

Responsibility for external relations is now being shared among members of the executive Policy and Resources Committee.

'Humanitarian access'

The letter calls for Deputy de Sausmarez to lobby the UK government to allow "full and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza", and the rapid recognition of a Palestinian state.

"Guernsey has a proud history of standing up for humanitarian values, especially in times of profound injustice," the letter says.

"While we may not have direct responsibility for foreign policy, we do have a moral voice.

"As chief minister, you are in a unique position to convey the deep concern felt by many islanders and to call for urgent action."

The letter has been signed by Deputies David Dorrity, Tina Bury, Andrew Niles, Jayne Ozanne, Jennifer Strachan, Neil Inder, Rhona Humphries, Garry Collins, Hayley Camp, Marc Lainé, Marc Leadbeater and Andy Cameron.

It comes as a letter from more than a third of UK MPs to Sir Keir Starmer called for the UK recognise a Palestinian state.

The lead signatory of that letter was Sarah Champion MP, who heads the All Party Parliamentary Group with responsibility for the Channel Islands, and piles pressure on the UK's prime minister after France committed to recognising a Palestinian statehood within months.

Israel, which controls border crossings into Gaza, has been urged to let more aid into the Gaza Strip as humanitarian organisations increasingly warn of spreading starvation.

Israel has said foreign nations will be able to send supplies into Gaza via air drop in the coming days.

But head of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency Unwra, Philippe Lazzarini, says air drops will not "reverse the deepening starvation" in Gaza and that they are "expensive, inefficient, and can even kill starving civilians".

Instead, he says political will is required to "lift the siege, open the gates and guarantee safe movements and dignified access to people in need".

'Gravity of situation'

Israel also says "hundreds of trucks still await pick up" at crossings into Gaza as it insists there are no restrictions on aid getting into the Strip.

In the letter from Guernsey politicians, they urge Deputy de Sausmarez to "impress upon" the UK government "the gravity of the situation".

They wrote: "The people of Guernsey expect their leaders to stand on the side of humanity, international law, and basic human decency."

Referring to Jersey's letter to the UK government, the Guernsey letter added: "I hope that Guernsey, too, can raise its voice in solidarity with all those calling for an end to the devastation.

"As civilians, and in particular children, continue to suffer the devastating effects of ongoing conflict and siege, I implore you, as a respected leader of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, to lend your voice to calls for justice, peace, and decisive action."