Responding to the increasingly dangerous situation in the Middle East, Sian Berry MP said:

“We are deeply alarmed at last night’s attacks on Israel and the invasion of Lebanon, all of which show a growing escalation of the conflict. We express our solidarity with civilians under attack everywhere, whether in Israel, Lebanon, Gaza or elsewhere and demand that all sides de-escalate this dangerous and mounting conflict.

“The failure of the US, UK and others to address Israel’s impunity when breaching international law has made this escalation inevitable. Only by creating the incentives needed for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, prosecuting all actors who have perpetrated war crimes as charged by the ICC prosecutor and by seriously advancing the prospects of a Palestinian state can this dangerous situation be resolved.

“The diplomacy of phone calls and statements is not enough. The UK needs to consider much more direct measures including ending arms sales to oblige all parties immediately to cease military action. All those responsible for attacks on civilians, which is a war crime, must face accountability.”

Commenting on the escalating situation in the Middle East and on the invasion of Lebanon by Israeli defence forces, Sian Berry, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said:

“The invasion and attacks on Lebanon by Israel, causing the deaths of over a thousand people and displacement of a million others, are horrific and devastating. The Green Party demands a permanent bilateral ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, a full arms embargo on Israel, and the prosecution of all actors who have perpetrated war crimes as charged by the ICC Prosecutor.

“The international community has a moral and legal duty to hold all accountable – Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran – for their crimes in this escalating tragedy. There can be no excuse for the UK Government failing to uphold international law and to use any of the diplomatic levers it has available to bring about a ceasefire now.”

Commenting on the closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power station today, Green MP Carla Denyer said:  

“The end of coal-fired energy generation is an important step on the long road to tackling the climate crisis. 

“Thousands of people have been employed at Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station over the half-century it has been working. It has played an important role in the life of communities and the wider East Midlands economy. 

“This will be a vital test of how the government supports the green transformation of every sector of our economy – fast and fairly – to meet the needs of the environment and future generations. 

“Plans to clear the site and replace the power station with a zero-carbon energy and technology park must become a reality, offering well-paid, secure jobs.” 

Reacting to a motion on winter fuel payments put forward by the Unite union and supported by a majority of delegates at Labour Party conference, co-leader of the Green Party, Carla Denyer, said:

“Today’s vote at Labour Party conference leaves Labour ministers out in the cold. There is a groundswell of support – from opposition parties, unions, many Labour MPs, health workers, disability groups, charities supporting pensioners, as well as others – for ensuring millions of pensioners keep warm this winter.

“Targeting some of the most vulnerable to fix the supposed black hole in the public finances is cruel and unnecessary.  

“There is another way. A fairer way. As the successful motion by Unite makes clear, taxing multi-millionaires and billionaires a little more would not only easily cover the cost of winter fuel payments for all pensioners but also generate additional funds for much needed investment in our health and social care services.”