Rafah Statement – UK must stop the slaughter

Joint statement released 7 May 2024.

The UK Government has repeatedly asked Israel not to unleash a slaughter in Rafah, Gaza.

Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron is “very concerned about what is happening in Rafah” and knows “it is impossible to fight a war amongst all these people. There is nowhere for them to go.”

Deputy Foreign Secretary, Andrew Mitchell thinks that “an Israeli incursion will struggle to be compliant with international law,”

Middle East Minister, Lord Ahmad said that “the fighting must stop now, in order to get the hostages home.”

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister acknowledges that “Too many innocent civilians have died in Gaza,”

David Cameron also asked Israel for a ‘Plan B’ for Rafah to ensure “people can achieve safety, get food, medicine and water, and that people are kept safe.” 

They have been ignored by Israel  

Yesterday, the Israeli military issued relocation orders to people sheltering in parts of Rafah, the first step towards a full-scale invasion that will most likely kill thousands of civilians. The area people are being directed to is already overstretched and lacks the capacity and resources to accommodate the number of people seeking refuge. The relocation orders lack guarantees of safety and the right to return, which risk violating humanitarian law. 

In the last 12 hours, Israel has intensely bombed Rafah, including civilian homes and areas marked as safe. This morning, Israeli tanks entered the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, blocking completely the passage for people and humanitarian aid. 

There are no safe spaces in Gaza. Israel has repeatedly attacked so-called ‘safe zones’, killing displaced people. Any claims from Israel that civilians can be safely relocated have lost credibility.  

The failure of our leaders to back words with meaningful action is glaring. As the 1.4 million people in Rafah face attacks that our leaders know would be catastrophic, they must finally act to stop the slaughter.

The UK must work urgently to stop any further assault on Rafah from going ahead, demand an immediate lasting ceasefire, resume funding to UNRWA, and suspend arms sales to Israel for as long as there is a risk they may be used to violate international humanitarian law.  

A ceasefire is the only way to stop the death and destruction, get more aid to those who desperately need it, and safely release the hostages.

There is no Plan B for the people in Rafah. 

1. Action For Humanity  
2. ActionAid UK  
3. Amos Trust   
4. Bond  
5. CAFOD  
6. Care International UK  
7. Christian Aid  
8. Council for Arab-British Understanding  
9. Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland
10. Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS)  
11. Humanity & Inclusion
12. Humanity First UK  
13. International Rescue Committee UK
14. Interpal  
15. Islamic Relief UK  
16. Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights  
17. Link Education International.
18. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)
19. Mercy Corps Europe  
20. Omega Research Foundation
21. Oxfam GB  
22. Peace Direct  
23. Plan International UK  
24. Quakers in Britain  
25. Sabeel-Kairos UK  
26. Save the Children UK  
27. SCIAF
28. SOS Children’s Villages UK  
29. Trócaire  
30. War on Want 
31. Welfare Association

Download the statement here: Rafah Statement May 7