John McDonnell

John McDonnell

Labour — Hayes and Harlington

Speaking in the House of Commons on 14 May 2025

Debate

Gaza: UK Assessment

Contribution

I declare an interest as the secretary of the National Union of Journalists parliamentary group. It is the anniversary of the murder by Israeli forces of Shireen Abu Akleh, the renowned journalist. Alongside her on that day was another journalist, Ali Samoudi, who was shot in the back. Two weeks ago, the Israeli forces arrested him and dragged him from his home, and Ali is now in detention somewhere, but we do not know where. Under international law, journalists are afforded special protection. Will the Minister immediately take up with the Israeli Government the question of where Ali Samoudi is and seek to do everything we can do to secure his release? He works for CNN, Reuters and Al Jazeera, and all he was doing was simply reporting on some of the war crimes that are taking place.

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