Many of those who have written to me since the brutal October 7th attack have sent repeated emails, some expressing their personal opinions, others clicking on mass campaign emails – all reiterating their strongly held position that Israel is not in a war with Hamas but is conducting a deliberate genocide against the civilian population in Gaza. Other constituents have written with their concerns about how this conflict in the Middle East is impacting people’s lives here in England or supporting Israel’s fight against the existential threat they face in the Middle East from those who are determined to create a new fundamentalist Islamic order across the entire region.
I recognise this particular conflict has, for many reasons, ignited strong passions and created deeply entrenched positions – more so than the terrible on-going wars in Sudan where, for a second time in two decades, genocide has been declared and millions are in the grip of a humanitarian crisis, more so than Ukraine, now in its third year of the first major European war since 1945, more so than the recent devastating civil war in Syria in which over 656,493 people were killed.
While I have not been able to reply every single time a constituent has emailed me on this subject, I have responded with periodically updated statements detailing my thoughts and my position on the Hamas Israel conflict although I completely respect many may disagree with them. I shall keep my last statement available to read on my website – you can access it via the link here:
Mims Davies MP's Statement on Israel and Gaza | Mims Davies
and use this opportunity to address the most recent concerns which have been raised. These include Greta Thunberg’s so-called ‘Freedom Flotilla’, calls to suspend the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement, the distribution of aid, the 2nd of June Adjournment Debate on UK arms sales to Israel, the legal case attempting to remove Hamas from the proscribed list of terror organisations, the concerns about extremism and intimidation during the continuing protests, outside banks, shops and MPs places of work and Iran.
As I have said previously, the events which have unfolded in the Middle East since 7th October 2023 have been unbearable to witness. Israel suffered the worst terror attack in its history and the biggest loss of Jewish lives since the Holocaust at the hands of the Iran-backed Islamist terrorists Hamas, where innocent civilians were targeted and brutally murdered with hundreds taken hostage, including babies, children and the elderly. The hostages have been held in appalling conditions and the accounts given by those released have been distressing and harrowing. To date, over 50 hostages remain in captivity.
As a direct consequence of the actions of Hamas on 7 October and their use of civilian infrastructure to undertake terrorist operations, Palestinian civilians continue to face a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While my thoughts are with the families of those still held hostage, every innocent life, on both sides, which has been lost or impacted by this conflict is to be mourned. We should be aware, however, that the Gaza Health Ministry (a Hamas entity) does not differentiate between civilian and armed militant deaths in its reporting; the military wing of Hamas was estimated to have had around 30,000–40,000 fighters at the outset of the conflict. This, and other confirmed falsifications of data, has caused concern among international observers trying to discern the truth of the situation in Gaza.
The release of the remaining 53 hostages held by Hamas since the atrocities of 7 October is key to a sustainable end to the conflict in Gaza and to building a better future. Hamas could agree to release those hostages now, and the position of the British Government is that they should – without delay.
Regarding Greta Thunberg’s flotilla, the so-called ‘selfie yacht’, they were aware when they travelled that they would be stopped and this was a publicity stunt, with the flotilla containing a very small level of aid. It is also very concerning that there are reports that someone involved in the organisation of the flotilla may have links to the Iran-backed terrorists Hamas. I am aware that the activists on board who were stopped were given the option to return back home and that Israeli authorities have confirmed that the small amount of humanitarian aid on board has been distributed to Gaza.
With regard to aid more broadly, I greatly share your concern about humanitarian aid access into Gaza and I urge the UK’s Labour Government to be directly involved in efforts to find a way through this difficult moment. The international community must also reiterate that there can be no role for Hamas in Gaza’s future and action needs to be taken to put an end to the malign influence of Iran, which is the cause of so much of the bloodshed and conflict in the region.
The UK Government needs to do more; Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel has consistently asked Ministers to set out the practical steps the Government is taking to get more aid into Gaza. Indeed, she has asked Ministers how much aid is awaiting entry into Gaza, what steps the Government is taking to liaise with Israel on getting more aid in and if the Government will participate in new efforts to get aid into Gaza while preventing the Iran-backed terrorists Hamas from taking it. I am disappointed that Ministers have consistently refused to provide answers and explain what practical steps they are taking to get aid into Gaza.
My colleagues and I remain very clear that there is no place for extremism on the streets of Britain and we continue to call on the Home Secretary and the police to use the full force of the law against displays of support for Hamas, other proscribed terrorist groups or attempts to harass and intimidate British Jews. I have been assured that the Metropolitan Police take hate crime and public order offences very seriously and several people have been arrested during protests for hate crimes, public order and terrorist offences. I strongly support free speech within the law. However, it is important to distinguish between strongly felt political debate on the one hand, and unacceptable acts of abuse, intimidation and violence on the other.
There have been disgraceful attempts to intimidate Members of the House of Commons, to undermine the democratic process and to spread fear among those who have been elected to represent this country. This is unacceptable and must stop.
I will always defend democracy in this country. Disagreements must be resolved through debate, not ever with threats of violence. The Government should be committed to doing whatever is necessary to protect Members of Parliament, to protect rights and to safeguard the freedoms of this country.
I am pleased that, under the previous Government, the Elections Act 2022 created new sanctions for those convicted of intimidation of candidates and electoral law has been updated to ensure candidates can choose for their home address not to be made public. I am, however, greatly saddened that this has proved a necessary step here in the United Kingdom.
Equally, I am appalled that a British law firm is engaged in a legal challenge to de-proscribe Hamas. Let us be very clear, Hamas is an evil terrorist organisation that kidnaps, tortures, and murders people, including British nationals. It shows no respect for human rights, life, and dignity, and has oppressed the people living in Gaza for too long. Therefore, the legal case to remove Hamas from the proscribed list of terror organisations should be dismissed as quickly as possible. It is twisted that lawyers are seeking to exploit human rights and international law to this end. Therefore, the Government should ensure that it does nothing to undermine our security and that Hamas remains proscribed.
Regarding the repeated call to end all arms sales to Israel, I first turn to the Private Members Bill – Arms Trade (Inquiry and Suspension) Bill. The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) is responsible for processing licence applications which sits within the Department for Trade and Business and draws on expertise from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and the Ministry of Defence. The ECJU assesses applications against the Strategic Export Licensing criteria which reflect the UK’s obligations under international law and the risk that the goods might be used in violation of human rights or for internal repression.
The UK has one of the most robust arms export systems in the world, enshrined in law through the Export Control Act. The current Government was able to take the decision to suspend around 30 licences to Israel in September 2024 and although I disagreed with that decision it shows that the current framework gives the Government the flexibility it needs to take decisions it deems to be in the national interest whist also meeting our international law obligations.
The UK already has very robust processes in place governing the granting of arms export licences – and indeed as we have seen, those licences can be revoked if necessary. This Bill is, in my opinion, being used to advance a long-running anti-Israel campaign and therefore I will not be supporting the Bill.
Further, in the Commons debate on the 2nd June, the Labour Government Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security, Douglas Alexander MP addressed,
the specific point that I know has been the subject of much scrutiny in relation to recent reporting outside the House. The majority of military licences approved last year are for components of military items for re-export to third countries, including the UK’s NATO allies, of about £142 million-worth of military goods licensed for Israel and in 2024. The vast majority of that overall value was supporting the production of items for use outside Israel. That includes more than £120 million, or about 85% of the total licence value, for components to support exports of military items from Israeli companies to a single programme for a NATO ally.
These remaining licences have no utility in military operations in Gaza. The suspension of such licences was not required by our export licence criteria, and would have done nothing but harm UK companies and UK businesses engaged in authorised and legal trade. Since September, we have refused all licence applications for military goods that might be used by Israel in the current conflict in line with the suspension decision. More applications were refused in 2024 than in the preceding four years combined.
Arms and Military Cargo Export Controls: Israel - Hansard - UK Parliament
While I am aware the UK Labour Government has suspended 30 of the UK's 350 arms export licences to Israel and I note your concerns about arms exports, I continue to fear this Government's action could potentially send the wrong signal, leaving Israel exposed at a time of grave threats to its security and undermining transatlantic unity in the face of terrorist threats. With Iran being responsible for years of funding and supporting terrorism and instability in the region, and their attacks on Israel, it is important that we do not weaken the ability of Israel to defend itself from these threats to their safety and to the interests of the West. I will urge the Government to reassure Israel and the Jewish community that the UK stands behind Israel and its right to self-defence.
Finally, I do not currently support calls to suspend the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement or to suspend negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Israel. Israel has the right to defend itself in line with International Humanitarian Law. Moreover, while I note your concerns about the importation of goods from the West Bank and other occupied territories, I understand that under the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement, only goods originating from the State of Israel receive tariff preferences. Regarding the ongoing negotiations, I will be watching carefully to see if Ministers maintain the former Government’s position that only goods originating from the State of Israel will be covered by any FTA.
In the longer term, I continue to support a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution where a safe and secure Israel can live alongside a viable and sovereign Palestine, with peace and prosperity for both nations and the wider region. However, I strongly believe the UK should only recognise a Palestinian state at a time when it best serves the objective of peace. We must avoid premature declarations which would serve to vindicate the use of violence and terrorism as legitimate methods to achieve political goals. I will continue to encourage this Labour Government to act in accordance with this principle.
Regarding Iran, I believe the Iranian Islamic Regime’s widening pattern of malign activity around the world - as well as its continued violations of its people’s rights - is incredibly concerning. The UK must not tolerate Iran’s escalating nuclear programme, its desperate coalition with Russia, or its attacks and reckless use of proxies in the Middle East. Since January 2022, the UK has also identified at least 20 threats emanating from Iran to the lives of UK-based individuals. This is totally unacceptable.
The UK has long condemned Iran’s destabilising activity in the Middle East and more widely, including through its proxies and I am deeply concerned by Iran’s nuclear escalation and the threat it poses to international security. My view is clear: Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon. Given the clear threat Iran poses not only to Israel but to wider regional stability, Israel has the right to act in self-defence to degrade Iran's nuclear. I have provided a link to the statement given to the House by the Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs on the Israel-Iran conflict on the 20th June 2025 here:
Middle East - Hansard - UK Parliament
In which he referred to the
resolution of the UN Security Council just last week, all of which confirmed Iran’s intent and its deception.[Official Report, 19 June 2025; Vol. 769, c. 2WC.] (Correction)
I am following events in the Middle East closely and I want to see peace and stability in the region - where Iran is responsible for so much of the bloodshed we witness - but we must also recognise that the world is becoming more dangerous and Britain must be ready to defend itself. You can listen to my interview on Ashdown Radio where I discuss this further here:
While I appreciate that some of my answers may not be the ones that some were looking for, I hope this provides my constituents with a comprehensive guide to my thoughts on these incredibly important matters.
