A BRADFORD MP will speak alongside Jeremy Corbyn and the director of Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem in an online event in support of the Palestinian people tonight.

The Stand With Palestine Zoom meeting will run from 6pm to 7.30pm, with Labour MP for Bradford West, Naz Shah, taking part.

She will be joined by Jeremy Corbyn MP, Sheikh Omar Al-Kiswani - the director of Al-Aqsa mosque - and archaeologist and historian Abeer Zayyad.

Sheikh Omar and Abeer will both be speaking live from Gaza, as discussions will be held on the situation in Palestine and on how people can support those who are in need.

It comes amid growing violence in the region, after Israel forcibly evicted Palestinian people from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in Jerusalem.

Israel has been accused of human rights abuses, the forcible takeover of homes and carrying out air strikes which have killed children.

On Monday, Ms Shah wrote to Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Dominic Raab, about the situation.

In her letter, she said: "I am writing to you in relation to the ongoing attacks on Palestinians by Israeli forces, including the shameful attacks on worshippers on the Aqsa complex in Jerusalem, the Haram al-Sharif, even inside one of the mosques, Masjid al- Qibili, where they were praying during the holy month of Ramadan.

"Footage coming out of the region, including by British news outlets, shows Israeli forces continue to act as a belligerent, occupying power, attacking, and attempting to control Palestinians who are simply going about their daily lives in their homeland.

"In addition to this, we have witnessed the forced expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, and now of families in the area of Sheikh Jarrah.

"Evictions on territory which the international community, including the UK, has declared as occupied territories; and such evictions, in the opinion of
international legal experts such as the United Nations OHCHR spokesperson Rupert Colville, may constitute a war crime, as he noted on 7th May 2021.

"Yet; despite the Israeli authorities continuing to violate international law; despite them using unlawful force against a defenceless population that they military occupy; despite our closest allies, the European Union and the United States, expressing concern, even while this concern should be expressed much louder; our foreign policy response on these human rights abuses and violations of international law - seems to be rather muted indeed.

"As our Foreign Secretary, whom I have supported on multiple occasions when it comes to stances against human rights abuses and the breaking of international law, I ask: are you willing to show that same commitment to opposing human rights abuses and the breaking of international law in relation to the actions of the Israeli authorities?

"If Britain is to hold fast in being a world leader, and a nation that stands up for human rights and the rule of law, then it must speak up unequivocally, whether the perpetrator of such crimes is a friend or foe.

"I urge you, Mr Foreign Secretary, to meet this moment as a British statesman of whom we can all rally behind."

Robbie Moore, Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, described the scenes in Palestine as "deeply concerning" in a tweet this morning, adding that "the violence in Jerusalem and Gaza must stop".

Mr Moore said he also written to Dominic Raab, in order to "ensure the UK uses its global influence in calling for calm on both sides".

People can register for tonight's Zoom meeting here, with the ID 835 5453 4597.