Labour MP Emily Thornberry has accused Israel of deliberately blocking aid to starving civilians in Gaza, saying there’s “absolutely no excuse” for food being left to rot while people go hungry.
The chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee made the comments during an interview with Channel 4 News, as calls grow for the UK and US to ramp up pressure on Israel’s hardline government.
🍽️ ‘Let the food in – now’
Thornberry didn’t hold back when asked about the humanitarian crisis:
“There is absolutely no excuse for holding back on aid and food and supplies to be allowed to go into Gaza. The Israelis simply must allow the gates to be opened. We cannot allow food to be simply rotting on the outskirts of Gaza and people to be starving within it. These are innocent civilians. It is quite wrong.”
📱 ‘Passively scrolling’? Not buying it
When Channel 4’s Jackie Long raised concerns from Oxfam’s food security lead – who accused the international community of ‘passively scrolling’ through horrific images – Thornberry pushed back.
“I think anybody who sees those pictures cannot be passively scrolling. I do think that’s insulting.”
But she added that simply asking Israel isn’t enough anymore.
“It is really difficult when you make it perfectly clear to the Israelis what the international community believes… and they simply refuse to do it.”
🇺🇸 ‘The Americans have to step up’
Thornberry said the US must take the lead in holding Israel accountable.
“We have to take a lead from the Americans. They have to step up and speak unequivocally to the Israelis… make it perfectly clear to this far-right government that their behaviour is unacceptable.”
She added that the international community must work together — with American backing — to find a long-term peace deal.
“We cannot be allowing innocent children to be starving to death in Gaza.”
🌍 Pressure must come from all sides
Long pushed further: shouldn’t the UK be pushing America harder?
Thornberry said the pressure chain is clear, and a key opportunity is on the horizon:
“There’s going to be a conference in June in New York with the Saudis, French, and British. At that stage, I believe the British and French should recognise the state of Palestine.”
She said this move would give weight to diplomatic efforts — but it must involve the Americans:
“We will go away and sort out a solution to this problem, but we need to do this with you.”
🤝 ‘Britain trying to be a force for good’
Pressed on whether the UK was being too soft with Trump, Thornberry stayed diplomatic:
“I think that Britain is trying to be a force for good in the world. They are trying to be a positive influence on President Trump — and in many ways, have been.”
Still, she stressed that Trump’s vague calls to treat Gazans “nicely” weren’t enough.
“It clearly doesn’t mean they should be starving to death.”
She ended with a warning that global leaders must speak plainly and act boldly:
“President Trump needs to make it clear to this far-right Israeli government that it is unacceptable for them to behave in this way.”
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