London, United Kingdom, December 18, 2023 — Laura Kyrke-Smith, Executive Director of the International Rescue Committee UK, said,
“The Foreign Secretary’s calls for a ‘sustainable ceasefire’ are a welcome change in tone and language. The International Rescue Committee also echoes Lord Cameron’s calls for hostages to be released, for Israel to abide by international humanitarian law, and for an end to extremist settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
However, we are disappointed that the UK continues to dismiss calls for an immediate ceasefire. We strongly believe that for a ceasefire to be “sustainable”, it must come into effect as soon as possible, before the situation deteriorates further. The sheer loss of civilian life in Gaza and the West Bank is unacceptable. The only way to achieve the Foreign Secretary’s aims - for civilian lives to be protected, for adequate humanitarian assistance to be provided, and for sustainable peace to remain a possibility - is for fighting to stop.
On today’s Global Day of Action, and ahead of another vote at the UN Security Council, the IRC calls on the UK to push for a #CeasefireNow in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory to protect all civilians affected by the conflict. Alongside UN agencies, the General Assembly and our humanitarian peers, the IRC is clear: only a #CeasefireNOW will prevent further tragedy.”