Seventeen Tory MPs write to Telegraph, blaming Hamas for escalating violence in Gaza
By Tim Montgomerie
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On behalf of Conservative Friends of Israel, seventeen Tory MPs signed a letter to The Telegraph today, urging the Government to maintain its position of not dealing with Hamas. Two key sections of the letter are republished below:
"Rocket attacks on Israel’s southern communities have markedly intensified this year. More than 1,000 rockets and mortars have been indiscriminately fired into civilian areas by Hamas and other terror organisations operating under its protection. Israel has a sovereign duty to protect its citizens.
The firing by Hamas of long-range rockets towards Tel Aviv and Jerusalem marks a deplorable escalation. It also provides a further alarming insight into the advanced Iranian-supplied weaponry at the disposal of Palestinian terror groups.
We share the British Government’s concern at the dangerous situation and deeply regret the loss of civilian life on both sides. We also welcome the comments of the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary that Hamas “bears principal responsibility for the current crisis”.
Hamas needs to know that the British Government will not reward its terror tactics, and we hope that getting Hamas to cease terror attacks and renounce violence will form the core of the Government’s policy. We call on the Government to maintain this position steadfastly. With its ideology intact, Hamas cannot be a partner for peace and will ensure that any Middle East peace is short-lived."
- David Amess MP
- Guto Bebb MP
- Bob Blackman MP
- James Clappison MP
- Graham Evans MP
- Michael Fabricant MP
- Rob Halfon MP
- Richard Harrington MP
- Philip Hollobone MP
- Chris Kelly MP
- Jessica Lee MP
- Jack Lopresti MP
- Paul Maynard MP
- Matthew Offord MP
- Neil Parish MP
- Andrew Percy MP
- Paul Uppal MP
> On ConHome yesterday Paul Uppal MP wrote about his visit to Israel last week.
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