Tens of thousands of Palestinians – many of them non combatants - have been killed since October 7th when Hamas launched a series of co-ordinated incursions into Israel. 1200 Israelis – most of them civilians - were slaughtered - and more than 100 hostages taken at the time are still in captivity.

Israel’s response – designed it says to free the hostages and destroy Hamas – has led to the deaths of more than 29,000 people. 85% of the population of Gaza has been displaced. Critics like South Africa have accused Israel of genocide – a claim being tested in the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

The latest flashpoint is Rafah on the border with Egypt where more than a million Palestinians have fled in the hope of finding safety, only to learn that Israel will launch a ground offensive if the remaining hostages aren’t freed by March 10th – the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

Meanwhile in debating the issue, the UK parliament has been caught up in procedural rows that seem to make a mockery of the very serious issue at stake. So why is it so hard to just call for a ceasefire?

Adrian Goldberg hears from Shaista Aziz once a Labour councillor in Oxford who quit over Keir Starmer’s support of the Israeli government’s stance and Byline Times political editor Adam Bienkov.

Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White.

Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times.

Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times.

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