Select a region
A letter has been sent to all deputies calling for States support for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Emily Hubert is a former civil servant and former local journalist who has asked the States of Guernsey to call for a ceasefire in the occupied territory of Gaza.
"As an islander, this conflict strikes a chord close to home.
"I am privileged to have heard numerous first-hand accounts from islanders, and my own family, who lived through the Occupation and the Evacuation. I am immensely grateful for these intergenerational lessons. Without which, I would not have grown to oppose conflict and oppression, or known the lasting impacts of war and occupation on generations to come.
"With this in mind, I am exceptionally appalled by the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the decades-long occupation and displacement of Palestinian people."
Emily has taken issue with the response from the States of Guernsey so far.
"Given the absolute scale of destruction in Gaza and loss of life on both sides of the conflict, which has been ongoing for over a month now, it is disappointing that The States of Guernsey's only response to it was on 10 October."
"On behalf of the Government of Guernsey, I am appalled at the barbaric attacks against the people of Israel, including civilians of all ages," said Deputy Ferbrache, speaking on the initial terrorist attack perpetrated by the militant group Hamas on civilians in Israel.
"Like the UK, we stand with Israel unequivocally against these acts of terrorism. We are equally committed to ensuring members of the Jewish community in our small part of the British Isles feel safe and secure.
"I stress, on behalf of all members of our community, that we very much have the people of Israel in our thoughts at all times. For any members of the community considering travel to Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories, I would urge them to follow the latest advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. For anyone who is there now, that includes registering your presence so you can receive FCDO updates and information directly as the situation evolves.”
Emily supports the commitment to ensure the Bailiwick's Jewish community feel safe and secure.
"However, it is not quite so simple as standing 'unequivocally' with Israel," they said.
"With over 50% of Gaza’s population being children, the majority of targets and victims are children. Israel is knowingly and deliberately killing children... Entire families have been wiped out. Most people are now homeless, and with refugee camps being bombed too, there is nowhere safe to go.
"On last count in the latest Facts & Figures booklet, in Guernsey 4,608 children were recorded to be in all the island’s primary schools.
"As of 10 November, 4,506 children have been murdered in Gaza from a total reported 11,000+ civilian deaths. These 4,506 children all had hopes and dreams, and lives ahead of them, and were killed simply for being born in a certain place at a certain time, to fit the agenda of some adults with political power.
"Will The States of Guernsey call for a ceasefire in Gaza now, and put pressure on the UK and its allies to do the same? If not, why not? If so, when?
"Will Guernsey take reasonable and proportionate efforts, similar to those it took in response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, to impose sanctions against businesses which are involved in arming and/or funding the conflict, and to take in refugee children from the conflict area? If not, why not? If so, when and how?"
Emily's letter comes as the leader of the Labour party in the UK faces growing pressure to support an amendment backing a ceasefire in Gaza. An amendment which Keir Starmer has refused to back.
Meanwhile an SNP motion demanding a ceasefire is expected to be debated next week.
It's understood that several deputies have replied to Emily's letter.
The States of Guernsey chose to not publicly respond to the requests in Emily's letter when asked by Express.
The Hamas militant group entered Israel from the Gaza Strip on 7 October and killed more than a thousand people in a brutal and swift terrorist attack.
In retaliation, the Israel Defense Force launched airstrikes on the Strip and has killed more than 10,000 people to date.
Israel's Prime Minister said the country's goal is to destroy Hamas and release hostages. However, thousands of innocent men, women and children have been killed in the bombing attacks on Gaza.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.