SDLP Calls For Action On Israel's Ambassador In London

The SDLP has called on British Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, to "call in" Israel's Ambassador in London following comments made last week which appeared to endorse the destruction of Gaza.

Party leader, MP Colum Eastwood, raised the issue during an Urgent Question in the House of Commons this afternoon.

Colum Eastwood MP said: "There are barely words left to describe the horror of the situation in Gaza. More than 20,000 people are dead. Women, children, parents and entire families have been killed by harrowing and unrelenting violence. Cities have been razed to the ground, millions have been made homeless and displaced. Even humanitarian aid workers and journalists aren't safe from the overwhelming force being used against the Palestinian people.

"In that context, the comments made by Israel's Ambassador in London last week cannot be allowed to go unanswered. The suggestion that the absolute destruction of Gaza - hospitals, schools, homes and mosques, is a legitimate prospect in this conflict should chill everyone who hears it.

"Britain's Foreign Secretary must step in. The Ambassador must be called in and it must be explained both that these comments are unacceptable and outrageous and that it is an entirely illegitimate response to the crisis in the region. A failure to issue the strongest response to the comments will be viewed as a tacit acceptance of the position by many in the international community.

"The people of Palestine and Israel deserve peace. The actions of Hamas and the response of Israel have created a living Hell for civilians in one of the world's most horrendous conflicts."