On Tuesday, the Association of the Palestinian Community in the UK (APCUK) and Orient House, with leadership from Sameh Habeeb (Sam Habeeb), Head of the Political Affairs Committee at APCUK, co-organized a parliamentary hearing at Westminster. The session addressed the ongoing genocide in Gaza and called for urgent action from the British government. Hosted by members of the Independent Alliance in the British Parliament, the event brought together key voices from the Palestinian community and other advocates.
Dr. Nehad Khanfar, Chairman of APCUK, delivered a compelling keynote speech, strongly criticizing the British government for enabling the genocide by providing political cover and weapons to Israel. Dr. Khanfar also condemned former Foreign Secretary David Lammy for denying the reality of genocide in Gaza, urging recognition of Palestinians as victims of mass killings.
In his address, Dr. Khanfar called on MPs to take legal action against British citizens serving in the Israeli army and organizations recruiting them, many of which benefit from public funds. He also highlighted the urgent need to halt arms exports to Israel, emphasizing the legal and ethical necessity of such measures.
Adding a deeply personal perspective, Khitam Alayan, a member of the London-based Palestinian community, recounted the loss of 48 family members in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. She urged MPs to pressure the British government to allow families in Gaza to reunite with relatives in the UK and to grant medical visas for injured children to receive treatment in Britain.
Dr. Khanfar reiterated this plea, emphasizing the willingness of the Palestinian community in the UK to fully fund the treatment of these children if the government grants them entry.
Members of the Independent Alliance expressed their solidarity with Palestinians and acknowledged the immense suffering caused by over a year of ongoing conflict. They committed to pressing the government further, announcing plans to introduce parliamentary motions in late November to recognize an independent Palestinian state and to oppose the genocide.
The session was expertly organized and moderated by Sameh Habeeb (Sam Habeeb), who announced plans for additional parliamentary sessions to address developments in Palestine in the weeks and months ahead.
This significant event, jointly organized by APCUK and Orient House, highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian action and international accountability to address the escalating crisis in Gaza and advocate for justice for its people.