UK lawmakers erupted in rare unity after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed plans to seize and hold Gaza. Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer warned MPs the government “strongly opposes” annexation, forced displacement and Israel’s two-month aid blockade, calling any land grab a breach of international law. Over 52,000 Gazans have already died under 100,000 tons of bombs—roughly five times Hiroshima’s destructive power—and famine looms. Falconer unveiled a £101 million relief package, urged Israel to reopen land crossings, and froze direct F-35 part exports, yet refused to brand Israel’s move ethnic cleansing or halt wider arms sales, noting genocide rulings belong to courts. MPs from every party demanded tougher steps: immediate recognition of Palestine, sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers, bans on settlement goods, and a full arms embargo akin to measures on Russia. The minister insisted diplomacy led by US-Qatari envoy Tim Wijkhof remains the only road to a cease-fire, hostage release and a credible two-state future. As Westminster’s rhetoric hardens and Gaza starves, Britain faces a decisive test: keep condemning from afar, or finally match its words with leverage.
