Here is the text of recent EDMs that have been brought to our attention and we encourage you to ask your MP to sign them.

EARLY DAY MOTIONS (EDMs)

That this House believes that universal jurisdiction for human rights abuses is essential as part of the cause of bringing to justice those who commit crimes against humanity and will oppose any legislation to restrict this power of UK courts.

That this House supports the proposed statement by the Council of the European Union drafted by the Swedish Presidency calling for negotiations on a two-state solution leading to an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital; welcomes the statement’s clear reiteration that settlements are illegal under international law, as are the separation barrier on occupied land and the demolition of homes; agrees that all three constitute an obstacle to peace by threatening to make a two-state solution impossible; and asks the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to endorse this document at the meeting in Brussels on 7 December 2009.

EDM 112

On the Israeli blockade of Gaza ‘considers that this blockade is a form of collective punishment in fundamental breach of international law; calls upon the Government to insist on the immediate ending of the blockade of the Gaza Strip’.

 

EDM 519

On arms exports to Israel notes that ‘arms exports to Israel in the first half of 2008 to be in excess of £20 million; and calls for a complete ban on all such sales to Israel until a permanent peace agreement is signed with the elected government of Palestine.’

 

EDM 610

On allegations of Israeli war crimes in Gaza ‘calls on the British Government to propose a resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling on the Security Council to refer allegations of war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza to the International Criminal Court.’

 

EDM 1699

On government policy on Israeli settlements ‘endorses the call by President Obama for a full and complete freeze on all Israeli settlement building in occupied territories, including natural growth’

 

EDM 1339

On the Israeli army’s use of white phosphorus asks for Israel to ‘agree to the investigation of this issue by the UN Human Rights Council.’

 

END OF HOSTILITIES IN GAZA - EDM 544 – 21.01.2009

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=37571&SESSION=899

Note that this was laid down by Conservative William Hague, who normally does not say much on these matters. Because Hague has tabled it, shadow ministers have also be able to sign it which is not normally the case.

That this House welcomes the end of hostilities in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces; deplores the loss of over 1,300 Palestinian and 13 Israeli lives; recognises the need for the international community to begin an urgent and substantial humanitarian relief and reconstruction effort to alleviate the suffering in Gaza; supports efforts by the UN and charities to provide relief to the people of Gaza; condemns the shelling of the UN Headquarters in Gaza; believes that allegations of war crimes should be properly investigated; recognises the urgent need to find ways to prevent weapons from being smuggled into Gaza; calls on the Israeli and Egyptian governments to ensure that Gaza’s borders are open on a continuous and safe basis; calls for international monitoring arrangements to ensure that rocket attacks into Israel cannot be resumed; appeals for energetic diplomatic action from the new U.S. administration, EU countries and countries of the region to secure a return to negotiations for a lasting peace settlement in the Middle East; and recognises the long-term resolution to the conflict as being the two state solution with a secure Israel living alongside a sovereign and viable Palestinian state.

 

DECEMBER GAZA CRISIS APPEAL – EDM 585 – 26.01.09

Burden, Richard

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=37619&SESSION=899

That this House is astonished by the refusal of the BBC and Sky to broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Gaza Crisis Appeal; considers that the explanations given for this decision by BBC spokespersons are both unconvincing and incoherent; and draws attention to the fact that people wishing to obtain information about the Gaza appeal can contact the DEC by visiting www.dec.org.uk

 

GAZA- EDM 408 – 12.01.2009

Burden, Richard

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=37423&SESSION=899

 

That this House expresses outrage at Israel’s overwhelmingly disproportionateuse of force in Gaza which continues to inflict massive civilian casualties, particularly amongst children and which has involved strikes on aid convoys, United Nations schools and medical personnel; calls for an immediate ceasefire including the end of Israel’s attacks on Gaza, the withdrawal of its troops and the cessation of rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel; further calls for the demands of the Security Council to allow the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including food, fuel and medical treatment to be implemented and for the end of the long-term Israeli blockade of Gaza; further calls on the Government to initiate proceedings, with the other High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention, to require the protection of civilians in times of war and to require accountability for military action which contravenes the Convention; further calls for an arms embargo on both sides and for the remit of any international forces deployed to include protection of Palestinian civilians from blockade and attack as well as the prevention of arms supplies which threaten Israeli civilians; further calls on the European Union to demonstrate that the continued implementation of its Association Agreement with Israel is conditional on Israel’s respecting human rights; demands that Israel stops blocking international journalists from entering Gaza; and calls on the international community to redouble its efforts to achieve the lasting settlement of a secure and independent state of Palestine alongside a secure and independent Israel.

 

BRITISH ARMS SALES TO ISRAEL – EDM 400 - 12.01.2009

Russell, Bob

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=37415&SESSION=899

That this House is appalled that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been licensing increasing arms sales to Israel; registers with extreme disapproval that in the first three months of 2008 Britain exported nearly £19 million worth of weapons to Israel, compared to £7.5 million in the whole of 2007; requests the Government to state the value of British arms sold to Israel from April to December 2008; further requests the Government to list the types of weapons sold to Israel; calls on the Government to halt delivery of further weapons; and urges the Government to investigate whether any of the weapons exported to Israel during 2008 have been used in the attacks on Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.

To find out more about arms sales to Israel go to Campaign Against the Arms Trade, www.caat.org.uk Because Israel is now such a major exporter as well as importer of arms, CAAT is calling for an embargo on the sale of all UK equipment to and purchases from Israel as well as the breaking off of all military contacts. This would send a strong message to the Israeli government that its actions are totally unacceptable.

GAZA STRIP CONFLICT- EDM 378 12.01.2009

Hemming, John

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=37394&SESSION=

That 899 this House believes that war crimes have been committed as part of the conflict in the Gaza Strip; and calls on the Government to refer the conflict to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for formal investigation