Dear Prime Minister

We appeal to the British government to use all its power to bring peace between Israel and Palestine. Again we are witnessing terror and destruction where many of the victims are women and children. Without the active intervention and involvement of the West, including the UK government, future generations of Palestinians will be doomed to live in a place of endless suffering and destruction while Israelis live in fear of rocket attacks.

Due to the serious concerns we have over the atrocities that are being carried in Gaza and the repercussions for the UK, we request a meeting with yourself and the Foreign Secretary along with other Muslim leaders to discuss this matter further and to receive a response on the issues raised in this letter.

One of the key players in resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict is the US. We are very disappointed at the response from President Bush and his administration as well as the lack of response from President Elect, Barak Obama. It would be reassuring to know if the UK government are doing all they can to influence the current and future US administrations to obtain an immediate ceasefire on both sides.

However, asking for an immediate ceasefire and promising humanitarian aid alone is not sufficient. We appreciate that both you and the Foreign Secretary have spoken out against the attacks. However, we feel that the language used by yourself and your government is not strong enough. For example, words such as ‘grave concern’; ‘deeply disturbing’; ‘immense suffering’ have been used. Many believe words such as atrocities, murder, genocide are more appropriate. We understand that perhaps the UK government needs to use more diplomatic language. However, these words feel hollow as we standby and watch 1.5 million people be gradually killed or starved and deprived of adequate basic needs such as electricity, water, food and medical supplies.

As we write this letter the death toll has passed 535 with thousands of others wounded. By targeting Hamas fighters, the Israeli government is also inflicting collective punishment on 1.5 million indigenous people that they have kept caged in an open-air prison. No person and no supplies can legally get in or out of Gaza without the permission of the Israeli government. In normal war situations people can escape over borders. With a sealed Egyptian border and Israeli blockade, the Palestinians have nowhere to go. Living conditions are deteriorating sharply as supplies of food, water and fuel are dangerously low. We would therefore like to know what the British government is doing to help aid to get into Gaza through the Israeli and the Egyptian border.

We understand that Israel has the right to defend itself but the bombings that are killing hundreds of civilians in response to less than a handful of casualties on the Israeli side is not reasonable self-defence. Today’s attack on a UN School, the co-ordinates of which were given to the IDF is a clear breach of International Law. There are also repeated reports of medical personnel and hospitals being targeted, and Israel’s exclusion of the media only heightens fear of what is actually occurring on the ground. In addition, doctors treating the victims are reporting the use of depleted uranium. We therefore believe that Israel are not only committing war crimes but their actions should also be described as ‘state-sponsored terrorism.’ Unfortunately, when it comes to the West's attitude to Israel, the basic rules of fairness and morality seem, all too often, to be suspended. If the West’s response including that of the UKs continues to be muted, it may appear that they are approving the use of depleted uranium.

We would also like to take this opportunity to ask the British government whether any arms supplied by the UK have been used in the attacks on Gaza. And, in the light of the disproportionate response by Israel, are the UK government willing to suspend further arms exports to Israel.

We believe that if the West, including the UK government, does not intervene to stop the crisis in Gaza from escalating further and condemn the Israeli government more strongly, it will inflame Muslim opinion against the West. We are extremely concerned that terrorism and violent extremism will increase globally, including here in the UK. As members of the Muslim community, we are witnessing firsthand the extreme anger amongst ordinary law abiding and liberal Muslims at the worsening crisis in Gaza. These concerns are also shared by the UK public at large, and other faith communities including sections of the Jewish community which has been apparent from the demonstrations that have been held around the UK. We fear that all the good work that has been carried out with regards to preventing violent extremism is currently being undermined.

Palestinians are desperate to lead normal lives beyond the shadow of Israeli occupation and control. It is the ordinary Palestinians who continue to be victims of politicians from both sides who think the only way to solve conflict is by violence. Hence, we would like to know what spaces are also being created for the voices of ordinary citizens on both sides of the conflict to be heard with regards to peaceful resolutions.

Finally we want to emphasise that the involvement of women in any peace negotiations is necessary. We would like to remind the UK about that On 31 October 2000, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted Resolution 1325 which recognises the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women as well as recognizing the under-valued and under-utilized contributions women make to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peace-building, and stresses the importance of their equal and full participation as active agents in peace and security. In view of this, we would like to know what steps are being taken to incorporate a gender perspective on any and all peace efforts. Is the UK government ensuring that appropriate women are involved in decision making at all levels in the conflict resolution and peace processes?

We look forward to meeting with you urgently.

Yours sincerely,

Muslims Women's Network uk, Birmingham