New letter from Layla Moran re Palestine

From: Layla Moran MP <[email protected]>
Date: 12 February 2026 at 12:50:16 GMT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Palestine Update (Case Ref: LM64300)

Dear Sally,

As you have written to me previously regarding the situation in Palestine, I wanted to share an update.

Israel has this week brazenly stamped on the remaining shreds of the Oslo accords with moves to effectively annex much of the West Bank. The reaction from the international community was disappointingly muted. The UK Government did release a statement condemning the move, but we are well beyond the time for mere words. We must take action. That’s why I sponsored a motion by Lib Dem Foreign Affairs spokesperson Calum Miller introducing legislation to prohibit trade in goods and services between the United Kingdom and illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Trade with these settlements, though technically illegal, goes virtually unimpeded. I have been working closely with the British Palestinian Project in pushing for this ban in illegal trade to be implemented. We are clear. The mechanisms exist, have been used previously, and could enforce this ban.

Four months on from the October 2025 supposed “ceasefire” agreement taking effect, conditions for Palestinians remain catastrophic, Israeli strikes on Gaza continue, and humanitarian assistance is arbritrarily denied. 60% of health facilities are non-functional.

I am very concerned at additional restrictions that are being imposed on the ability of International NGOs to operate in Gaza and the West Bank. In December, 37 of those INGOs were notified by Israeli authorities that their registration would lapse within 60 days. INGOs deliver more than half of all food assistance and the ban on them operating will have devastating humanitarian consequences.

I hosted a Middle East Reception yesterday where I was delighted to welcome the Palestinian ambassador and other regional leaders to Parliament. Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer spoke at the event, and reaffirmed plans for a peace conference in March in the UK to support the establishment of an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine. I will continue to push the Minister for these talks to be more than warm words and instead result in concrete outcomes and real financial backing.

Britain has a historic responsibility to the region. In the time of my great-grandfather, Jerusalem was a peaceful place. Jews, Christians and Arabs lived alongside each other in the street and broke bread together. I will not pretend that everything was perfect, but the polarisation of today would have baffled my ancestors. Over the years, other powers have meddled. It was Britain that decided to divide Jerusalem into quarters based on race and faith. This approach of segregation, division and arbitrary lines in the sand was employed all over the region.  

It has left a heavy toll, and we must recognise our part in shaping the conflicts that have followed, and face up to our history. I am also coordinating a cross-party letter calling on the Government to recognise the historic injustices which Britain has committed against the Palestinian state, and our special responsibility to engage with and support them now.

With Trump’s scattergun approach to Geopolitics, swinging wildly from Greenland to Venezuela and Iran in recent weeks, we must not lose focus. It is vital that the UK strains every diplomatic sinew in bringing this appalling conflict to an end. I will continue to do everything in my power to hold the Government to account on this.  
 

Best wishes,

Layla Moran
Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon