LONDON, December 13, 2024 (WAFA) - A key parliamentary session in Westminster in London called on the British government to urgently grant medical visas for children from Gaza in need of treatment.
Organized by the Association of the Palestinian Community in the UK (APC-UK) and hosted by the Independent Parliamentary Group, the session called for taking immediate action to address the dire situation faced by Gaza’s children amid the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Strip.
The session was opened by an Independent MP and moderated by the Chair of the Political Affairs Committee of the Palestinian community in the UK, with prominent speakers including the Director of the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, the head of the Palestinian community in the UK, a senior campaigner from "War on Want”; an anti-poverty charity based in London and the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK.
Director of Palestine Children's Relief Fund, Said Shehadeh, voiced deep disappointment over the British government's failure to respond to calls for a visa plan to allow injured children from Gaza to receive medical treatment, committing to fully fund the initiative if the government permitted entry for the injured children.
"The Palestinian community is deeply concerned by what appears to be discrimination against Gaza’s children simply because they are Palestinian," he said, adding, "Any further delay threatens the lives of children who could be saved."
For his part, Neil Sammonds, a senior campaigner for the UK-based charity, War on Want, stressed the humanitarian nature of the issue and emphasized the need for swift action.
The Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, acknowledged some positive steps by the UK government but argued that they were insufficient.
"More must be done for Gaza and Palestine," he said, urging the UK government to take concrete steps to address the humanitarian crisis.
Other speakers highlighted the ongoing suffering of Gaza’s children due to constant bombardments and the lack of medical care, criticizing the British government for its failure to meet its humanitarian obligations and urge for immediate action.
The session emphasized a collective demand for the British government to establish a visa plan that prioritizes medical aid for injured children from Gaza, ensuring they receive the essential treatment needed to secure their future.
The Palestinian community and other supporters confirmed their commitment to offer financial and logistical assistance for the initiative, provided that the British government approves.
This session marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing campaign for Gaza’s children, uniting various sectors to urge the British government to take immediate action.
T.R.
