West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin statement on the Middle East

10 October 2024

This week is a painful reminder of the human cost of conflict.

The date, October 7, will forever be remembered for an appalling act of terror inflicted on 1,200 innocent civilians, with hundreds more taken hostage. Jewish families murdered in their homes and young partygoers killed at a dance festival.

While Israel has a right to defend itself, this week also marks one year since a brutal military campaign began on the Palestinian people - both in Gaza and the West Bank. Over 40,000 people killed, entire families being wiped out, and a shocking humanitarian crisis unfolding.

We must remember all the victims of this terrible conflict. Every single one of them was precious. They deserved to live full lives, to have dreams, ambitions and hopes. Just like me and you.

I once again call on world leaders to intensify their efforts to secure an immediate and permanent ceasefire, something I have urged since last October. All the hostages must be freed, and the Palestinians must be given their right to self-determination through a two-state solution.

That is the only way to end this heartbreaking cycle of violence once and for all.