British MP’s Gaza statement signals moral shift in the West

A senior British MP’s speech in the Commons reflects growing Western unease over Israel’s actions in Gaza and challenges Canada’s silence

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A remarkable and sobering moment unfolded in the British Parliament on May 6. In a chamber typically defined by fierce partisan debate, there was rare unity across political lines. The issue? The mounting evidence of crimes against humanity in Gaza and Britain’s potential complicity.

The most striking voice was that of Conservative MP Mark Pritchard, a senior member of the party who had supported Israel “pretty much at all costs” for over two decades. His public reversal was both politically courageous and symbolic of a broader shift in Western attitudes. He told the House of Commons:

“The fact is that 13,000 children have been killed. And for many years—I’ve been in this House 20 years—I have supported Israel pretty much at all costs, quite frankly.

“But today, I want to say that I got it wrong and I condemn Israel for what it is doing to the Palestinian people in Gaza and indeed in the West Bank, and I’d like to withdraw my support right now for the actions of Israel.

“Of course, the hostages should be released; of course, Israel has a right to exist; of course, the Israeli people, the Jewish people should have the right to live in peace, but so do the Palestinian people. The life of a Palestinian child is as precious as the life of a Jewish child.

“We’ve had lots of statements over the last 18 months. I’m really concerned that this is a moment in history when people look back, where we’ve got it wrong as a country.

“Can the minister stand up to our friends and allies in the United States and make a strong stand for humanity? For us to be on the right side of history, for having the moral courage to lead and to make a difference? Let’s stand up for life. Let’s stand up for all children, not just Jewish children.”

What made this moment so powerful was that no one—not even his fellow Conservatives—challenged him. Although Prime Minister Keir Starmer was absent, Labour Minister Hamish Falconer offered no defence, appearing instead deeply reflective as MPs from all parties demanded a halt to arms exports to Israel and urgent aid for Gaza.

This political consensus may mark a turning point. For years, many Western politicians and citizens viewed Israel as a lone democracy defending itself in a hostile region. Within that narrative, questioning Israeli actions was often dismissed as antisemitic. But that belief is fraying.

A key moment came on March 18, when Israeli forces raided Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, one of the few remaining functional medical facilities, despite active ceasefire negotiations involving the U.S., Qatar and Egypt. The operation was widely seen as a violation of the fragile truce and raised questions about Israel’s intent and proportionality.

Since then, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis has worsened dramatically. According to the United Nations and various aid organizations, the region is facing what some now call a “man-made famine.” Border closures, aid restrictions and ongoing military operations have left more than a million people food insecure. Hospitals are out of medicine. Clean water is scarce. Images of starving, skeletal children have shocked the world.

This is no longer a question of policy—it is a test of principle. Continued military and diplomatic support for Israel, in the face of these conditions, raises serious moral and legal concerns. Under international humanitarian law, supplying weapons or cover to a country accused of war crimes may constitute complicity.

Canada must now face its own reckoning.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly claimed that Canada was no longer supplying arms to Israel, but evidence suggests otherwise. More telling is the lack of moral clarity from the Canadian Conservative Party, whose members have yet to echo the kind of principled stand seen in Britain. Their silence speaks volumes.

When Parliament reconvenes, Canadians should demand more. Will our elected officials demonstrate the courage to speak for the starving, the displaced and the innocent? Or will we look back, as Pritchard warned, and realize we got it wrong?

In years to come, our children and grandchildren will study this period, marked by widespread suffering, mass civilian deaths and international inaction. The question is not whether they’ll know what happened. The question is whether we’ll have the humility to admit we were wrong, even if we remained silent.

May future generations embrace the wisdom and courage that too many of us lacked in this critical moment.

Gerry Chidiac specializes in languages and genocide studies and works with at-risk students. He received an award from the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre for excellence in teaching about the Holocaust.