Boycott of Downing Street Eid celebration planned over Gaza
Downing Street’s annual Eid celebration will be boycotted by some Conservative politicians and business and charity leaders over the government’s support of Israel.
The annual event, held by PM Rishi Sunak, will take place in Downing Street on Monday.
A government spokesperson said it understood humanitarian concerns regarding Gaza.
According to the BBC, some invitees will not go in protest of Israel’s military action in Gaza. One of those planning to boycott the event is Baroness Warsi, along with at least two Tory MPs.
Warsi quit as Foreign Office Minister in David Cameron’s cabinet in 2014, saying the government’s policy over Gaza was “morally indefensible.”
A similar event held during Ramadan hosted by President Biden was subjected to a boycott of the White House earlier this month by those protesting US support for Israel.
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza
"The Agency is hanging by a thread, not just financially- but also politically"@UNLazzarini: Israeli authorities say they no longer want @UNRWA in #Gaza; UNRWA also under pressure to cease activities in #WestBank
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) April 12, 2024
30 days to save #UNRWA: @UNLazzarini in his race against time⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3IM2OPdegP
A No10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister looks forward to welcoming members of the Muslim community to the Eid reception in Downing Street later this week and celebrating their contribution to public life.
“But we share the deep concern that many British Muslims have over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and our priority has always been to prevent further escalation in the region.
“That’s why we have long called for an immediate humanitarian pause with progress towards a sustainable ceasefire, and consistently urged Israel and all parties to the conflict to abide by International Humanitarian Law.”
The government has faced growing pressure over the UK arms sales to Israel, after the deaths of seven aid workers in Gaza – three of them British.