On the 28-29 July, the UN will host a Conference on a two-state solution. In a recent letter to the Prime Minister, over 50 British former senior diplomats have urged the UK Government to support the recognition of Palestinian statehood at the Conference, joining the 147 countries that have already done so.
The Labour government committed in their manifesto to recognise Palestine alongside international partners as a contribution to a political process. That moment is now - no bilateral peace process will emerge by itself.
We are asking our supporters to write to their MP, asking them to:
- Urge the government to join the 147 countries that already recognising the State of Palestine
- Call for a full arms embargo to Israel
- Advocate for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, lifting of aid blockades, and the release of all hostages and arbitrarily detained individuals.
Tips on writing to your MP
- Find out who your MP is by typing your postcode in at www.theyworkforyou.com
- Find their contact details MPs at members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP
- Browse their personal website to find their email address for letters and surgery meetings for constituents. Send your letter to both email addresses.
- Get personal. Write a letter/email to your MP in your own words as this shows the strength of feeling you have about the issue. Please consider incorporating the key asks mentioned above, and using our template as a guide - the practical action points will help your MP to take the issue forward with the Government.
- Ask your MP to take action on your behalf in these ways:
- Requesting a meeting with the Foreign Secretary, either alone or jointly with other politicians and international NGOs
- Writing a letter to the Foreign Secretary
- Raising your concerns as oral and written questions in parliament.
- Don't forget to introduce yourself and include your full name and postal address in your correspondence.
- MPs get hundreds of emails so it is very important to phone both the constituency and parliamentary offices and ask that they draw your email to the MPs attention. Try to build up a good relationship with the MP's secretary and keep in regular contact.
- Ask your MP to keep in regular contact and to give you copies of any responses they receive.
- Once you've sent your letter/email, please share this webpage with your networks
- Please forward any replies you receive to info@una.org.uk