Coventry charity calls for ceasefire after aid workers killed in Gaza

Coventry-based charity, Feed the Hungry, says this situation will have devastating consequences

A charity in Coventry is calling for ceasefire following the deaths of three British aid workers killed in an airstrike in Gaza.

Aid organisation World Central Kitchen (WCK) confirmed British victims John Chapman, James Henderson, and James Kirby, were among seven of its staff killed when their convoy was struck after unloading food in Gaza.

Israel says the attack was “a grave mistake” and has promised to investigate.

Gwyn Williams is from Feed the Hungry in Coventry, which provides food and supplies to those in need around the world.

He said: “It’s a totally tragic event. These men were putting their lives on the line. The charity had made a huge amount of connections with Israel to make sure provisions were in place for the safety of the aid workers.

“It was really shocking to hear that they had been killed delivering food that had just landed in the port and where people are totally desperate. Now it’s caused the charity to have to close down food deliveries for a while until they get things sorted. So, the consequential effects, not only on the families and the organisation, but on the whole area is devastating.”

Mr Williams continued: “Peace is the only way any sort of negotiated understanding can be reached. Killing people is never a good answer, it never leads to any sort of resolution which is long lasting. So, I will always seek for peace and ceasefire.”

Shadow foreign office minister David Lammy has called for the Government to suspend arms sales to Israel if it has received legal advice that international law has been breached in Gaza.

He said: “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of the three heroic Brits who put their lives on the line to get Palestinian civilians the aid they desperately need. But Israel must face serious consequences, not just tough rhetoric, for their appalling deaths.

“It’s totally wrong that the Foreign Secretary has gone silent on the question of whether or not Israel is complying with international humanitarian law, after saying he’d get new advice nearly a month ago. There are very serious accusations that Israel has breached international law, which must be taken into account.

“The law is clear. British arms licences cannot be granted if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

“Labour’s message to the Government is equally clear. Publish the legal advice now. If it says there is a clear risk that UK arms might be used in a serious breach of international humanitarian law, it’s time to suspend the sale of those arms. If David Cameron has received this advice, he must act on it.”