Ahead of the votes in parliament tonight on the conflict in Israel-Gaza, Jennifer Nadel, Co-Director of Compassion in Politics, said:

"Compassion in Politics calls on all political leaders to back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The tragic loss of life cannot continue and will not solve the complex issues driving the conflict. Those who fail to actively call for peace risk tacitly endorsing the continued killing and destruction.

“Sadly, in the last few weeks we have seen leading politicians fuel the conflict by distorting facts and using language designed to inflame rather than quell the hate. It’s not only created a fertile environment for conflict - it has put the lives of civilians here in the UK at risk and created a climate of fear.

“Those of us with the privilege to stand one step removed from the fighting have a duty to hold the entirety of humanity in our hearts and minds We have to uphold moral standards, the rules of international law, and the sanctity of life. It is incumbent on all of us to work to create an environment - both in the Middle East and internationally - that can allow for a peaceful solution. That means providing significant aid to Gaza, decrying human rights abuses whenever and wherever they occur, and calling for an immediate ceasefire.”