MPs plead with Government to cut ties with Israel

Ahead of today’s spending review, we spoke to Green MP Sian Berry and rebel Labour MP Rachael Maskell to find out where they believe the Labour Government should focus its spending priorities.

Both MPs emphasise the urgent need for increased investment in council housing and what more the Government can do to help young people get on the housing ladder.

They warn: without bold and targeted investment in these areas, the Government risks deepening existing inequalities and missing a vital opportunity to support struggling communities.

Berry and Maskell also expressed serious concerns that the UK could be heading toward a second era of austerity. They warned that if the Chancellor insists on sticking rigidly to her self-imposed fiscal rules, vital services could face cuts at a time when the public needs more, not less, support. According to the MPs, real investment is the only way to build a more resilient, fair, and inclusive economy.

Following yesterday’s announcement that the Government has sanctioned Israeli officials Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, both MPs also raised the alarm over the UK’s foreign policy stance towards Israel and Gaza.

While they welcomed this initial action, they argued it does not go nearly far enough in holding Israel accountable for alleged war crimes. Berry and Maskell are calling on the UK Government to take stronger steps, including sanctioning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and halting the export of F-35 jet parts, which are often used in Israeli military operations.

The MPs made these comments while attending a protest photocall organized by Green New Deal Rising. The event called for a new wealth tax targeting extreme wealth as a means of funding urgent public services and climate action.

Reporter: Laura Beveridge

Shooter: Oli Johnson

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