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Tory MPs call for rethink on government Israel policy Tory MPs call for rethink on government Israel policy
(about 2 hours later)
Prime Minister David Cameron is coming under pressure from Conservative backbenchers to take a more robust stance over Israel's actions in Gaza.Prime Minister David Cameron is coming under pressure from Conservative backbenchers to take a more robust stance over Israel's actions in Gaza.
Margot James - previously regarded as a pro-Israeli voice - has condemned its "wholly disproportionate" attacks.Margot James - previously regarded as a pro-Israeli voice - has condemned its "wholly disproportionate" attacks.
And former minister Sir Peter Bottomley has written to Chief Whip Michael Gove to protest against Israel's actions.And former minister Sir Peter Bottomley has written to Chief Whip Michael Gove to protest against Israel's actions.
Mr Hammond's aides said the government believed there had to be an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. A Foreign Office spokesman said the government believed there had to be an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.
MPs are on their long summer break, but the BBC News channel's chief political correspondent Norman Smith said it was clear there was growing disquiet among backbenchers. MPs are on their summer break, but the BBC News channel's chief political correspondent Norman Smith said it was clear there was growing disquiet among backbenchers.
It comes as the US government said the shelling of a UN shelter in Gaza was "totally unacceptable and totally indefensible".
'Devastation''Devastation'
A former Conservative defence minister, who did not wish to be named, described the Israeli action as "disproportionate... unforgiveable and deliberate".A former Conservative defence minister, who did not wish to be named, described the Israeli action as "disproportionate... unforgiveable and deliberate".
He called on the government to adopt a much more robust and vigorous approach in challenging Israeli actions.He called on the government to adopt a much more robust and vigorous approach in challenging Israeli actions.
Sir Peter Bottomley has written to the Israeli Ambassador in London to protest against the Israeli army's treatment of Palestinians. Sir Peter Bottomley has written to the Israeli ambassador in London to protest against the Israeli army's treatment of Palestinians.
The letter accuses Israel of appearing to "value differently the lives of Israelis and Palestinians".The letter accuses Israel of appearing to "value differently the lives of Israelis and Palestinians".
The MP said he had handed a copy of the letter to the Conservative Party's Chief Whip Michael Gove.The MP said he had handed a copy of the letter to the Conservative Party's Chief Whip Michael Gove.
Explaining his position on the BBC News Channel, Sir Peter said: "If Israel is relying on other people to be silent, they will go on with a lack of proportionality and the devastation and the death.Explaining his position on the BBC News Channel, Sir Peter said: "If Israel is relying on other people to be silent, they will go on with a lack of proportionality and the devastation and the death.
"Anyone who looks at the pictures of what is going on in Gaza, which is a very enclosed area, most know that the Israel's know what they are doing - and that what they are doing is wrong. Many Israelis know it is wrong." "Anyone who looks at the pictures of what is going on in Gaza, which is a very enclosed area, most know that the Israelis know what they are doing - and that what they are doing is wrong. Many Israelis know it is wrong."
He added: "The disregard for the lives of Palestinians is going to show up in the world as a bad mark for Israel."
'Unacceptable''Unacceptable'
Stourbridge MP Margot James, a Parliamentary aide to Commons leader and former Foreign Secretary William Hague, has called on the government to "rethink" its policy, according to Channel 4 News. Stourbridge MP Margot James, a parliamentary aide to Commons leader and former Foreign Secretary William Hague, has called on the government to "rethink" its policy, according to Channel 4 News.
In a letter to Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, she says: "My constituents, not all of them Muslim, regard the Israeli action as wholly disproportionate to the threat posed by Hamas.In a letter to Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, she says: "My constituents, not all of them Muslim, regard the Israeli action as wholly disproportionate to the threat posed by Hamas.
"I ask that the government rethinks policy towards the conflict in Israel and the Palestinian territories."I ask that the government rethinks policy towards the conflict in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
"The scale of suffering in Gaza is far too great, the loss of life, and particularly the lives of children and other vulnerable individuals, cannot be justified on the grounds of defence in proportion to the level of threat faced by Israel from Hamas."The scale of suffering in Gaza is far too great, the loss of life, and particularly the lives of children and other vulnerable individuals, cannot be justified on the grounds of defence in proportion to the level of threat faced by Israel from Hamas.
"I also think that we should make it clear that it is unacceptable for Israel to just dismiss US proposals for peace without any debate whatsoever.""I also think that we should make it clear that it is unacceptable for Israel to just dismiss US proposals for peace without any debate whatsoever."
Asked in a recent radio interview if he thought Israel's shelling of Gaza was "proportionate" Mr Hammond said: "What Israel does in Gaza must be proportionate - that's a requirement of international law. It would not be legal if it was not proportionate." 'Rockets and tunnels'
Asked about Ms James' call for a rethink, an aide to Mr Hammond told BBC News: "The foreign secretary and the prime minister have been very clear that we need unconditional ceasefire and that needs to happen immediately." Questioned about Ms James' call for a rethink, an aide to Mr Hammond told BBC News: "The foreign secretary and the prime minister have been very clear that we need unconditional ceasefire and that needs to happen immediately."
A Foreign Office spokesman later said the UK was "deeply concerned about the current situation" and that "all our efforts" must be focused on achieving a ceasefire.
"Israel has the right to defend itself, but must do so in a way that complies with international law," the spokesman added.
"After a ceasefire has been agreed, we can then move to more substantive discussions on the underlying issues, including Israeli restrictions on Gaza, the conditions in Gaza and the threats to Israel from rockets and tunnels," he said.