CND welcomes the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and calls for its full implementation – from releasing all hostages, ensuring immediate access of international aid and emergency medical provisions, to the full withdrawal of Israel from Gaza and the rebuilding of Gazan society. We mourn the catastrophic loss of life and the devastation caused by Israel’s 15-month bombardment.
But the grotesque statements by US President Donald Trump – that the US will ‘take over’ the Gaza Strip and forcibly remove the Palestinian population of more than two million – means we must continue to act.
A nuclear weapons-free Middle East
A nuclear weapons-free Middle East is also central to peace in the region.
Israel refuses to acknowledge that it has nuclear weapons – estimated to be approximately 90 warheads – and also refuses to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It uses the threat of its nuclear arsenal to act with impunity across the region. International pressure needs to build on Israel to join the NPT and take steps to disarm its nuclear weapons.
For a decade, a UN-led framework to contain Iran’s civil nuclear programme, the Joint Comprehensive Programme of Action (JCPoA), has been in place. However, this was sabotaged by Trump in 2018, and talks failed to resume. Trump now needs to work with Iran to re-establish this framework.
The British government must actively support the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, promote engagement with the JCPoA and work within the UN to secure a nuclear weapons-free Middle East treaty.
