The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London SW1A 2AA

25th October 2023

Dear Prime Minister,

We are sure you will understand the concern over the escalating loss of civilian lives in Gaza since the
terrorist attack by Hamas on communities across southern Israel; a barbaric killing of innocent civilians and
taking of hostages, including children and babies, which has been rightly condemned around the world.

The heart-breaking images from southern Israel have now been joined by heart-breaking images from Gaza
with thousands – including many children – killed and injured by Israeli air attacks, many of which have been
in southern Gaza where people were told to go to be safe. Families have been forced to flee their homes,
clean water is running out and hospitals are barely able to function. This is an urgent situation and civilians in
Gaza need to know the world is not simply watching, but acting to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.

We urge you to continue to press Israel to act in accordance with international law and hope too that you
will be clear in your condemnation of all war crimes, whoever is responsible. We must show that we are
unequivocal in our belief that all lives matter equally.

The immediate priority is obviously for the unconditional return of hostages to their families and an end to
the further loss of innocent civilian lives, both Palestinian and Israeli. That clearly requires action to tackle
the humanitarian crisis, with an end to the siege and a massive increase in aid reaching those who need it so
desperately. We welcome the increased UK aid to the Palestinians, but Israel must allow humanitarian
supplies into Gaza and Hamas must allow refugees out.

There is an urgent need too for a cessation of military activity by all parties, in line with the call by the US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken for a humanitarian pause, and we hope you will work with the
international community to achieve this objective. This will save Palestinian and Israeli lives, and will avoid
the danger of escalation into a regional and wider conflict.

We must also recommit to working internationally for the political solution that alone can bring long-term
peace – with a sovereign state of Palestine free of occupation, alongside a safe and secure state of Israel.