2025: Week 33 - Ukraine, Refugees and Gaza

This week saw commemorations for Ukrainian Independence Day both in Ukraine and across the UK. August 24th is the anniversary of Ukraine declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.  It is heartbreaking that over 30 years later Ukrainians are having to fight and defend what is theirs, against an illegal invasion.  Despite Trump’s attempts to pacify Russia with offers of Ukrainian land, President Zelensky has stood firm and said that giving away land is against the Ukrainian Constitution.  We cannot allow Russia to annex the lands of another country as a result of an illegal invasion.  This would embolden Putin who could potentially set his sights on other countries.

I attended the raising of the Ukrainian flag in Dawlish, along with the Ukrainians who have made this area their home over the past three years.  I was reminded of how wholeheartedly the British public welcomed the Ukrainian refugees at the start of the war, and how they are continuing to help in many ways.  This is all in stark contrast to the protests that have begun in recent days, centred around hotels which are housing asylum seekers.  I’m struggling to understand the difference in approach to our Ukrainian guests, who were invited here via a legal route as refugees, when compared to the treatment of those that were not afforded the privilege of a safe and legal route, many of whom are equally as deserving of our help and compassion. 

Whilst I agree that the systems for housing asylum seekers, and the subsequent application processes that need to follow require a huge overhaul, we shouldn’t be allowing a vocal minority to control the narrative and create false news stories. These people are determined to stir up division and distrust, we must not allow that to happen, we must remember that the UK has always been a welcoming place to all, one that will give all people a chance to get on and succeed. 

We are now aware of protests that are taking place across Israel calling for the release of hostages being held in Gaza, and for the end to the war.

Netanyahu and Trump must heed the calls of the hostages' families and protestors. Only a ceasefire, not expanded military action, can bring the suffering in Gaza to an end - for the civilians at risk of starvation or being killed by bullets or bombs, and for the hostages.  A renewed ceasefire must include the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages by the Hamas terrorists and the Israeli Government must agree to fully reopen aid routes into the strip to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe there. The UK government should make clear that Trump needs to pick up the phone to Netanyahu and make that happen. Only a ceasefire can open the way to a future that excludes the extremists and creates an opportunity for the lasting peace and justice that so many moderate Israelis and Palestinians want.