Oxfam reaction to comments made by the Foreign Secretary that Israel should “turn the water back on” in Gaza and may have broken international law

Published on

Responding to comments made by Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, at the Foreign Affairs Committee today, that Israel should “turn the water back on” in Gaza and may have broken international law, Oxfam’s Head of Policy & Advocacy, Katy Chakrabortty, said:

“It is beyond disgraceful that the UK government is still failing to clearly call out Israel's blockade of clean water as a violation of international humanitarian law. Over two million people in Gaza are facing a daily struggle to get safe water to drink and the risks of dehydration, illness and famine are growing by the minute.

“It is also farcical to talk about turning the taps back on, while pipelines are being destroyed by air strikes. Along with calling for Israel to restore basic supplies, the UK must do the right thing and call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire to end this nightmare for the people of Gaza and Israel.

“Senior government figures should also have the knowledge and legal clarity to recognise Israel's obligations under international law.”

/Ends

Press contact

For comments, interviews, or information please contact Sarah Dransfield (Senior Press Officer):