Northampton town centre councillors write to MP in bid to convince government to intervene in Israel-Palestine conflict

Four Northampton town centre councillors have written to the MP calling on him to urge the government to intervene in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The letter to Andrew Lewer MP is signed by West Northamptonshire Council members for Castle ward, Jamal Alwahabi, Enam Haque and Danielle Stone, plus Northampton Town Council member for Castle ward, Fartun Ismail.

They condemn the violence from the Israeli security forces against Palestinian worshippers of the Al-Aqsa mosque, which killed 32 Muslims and left thousands injured.

"We call upon UK government to take swift action, calling Israeli on to stop the violence and defuse the situation," the letter reads.

Long-running tensions between Israel and Palestine have turned violent in recent days with numerous rocket attacks from both sides and clashes between police, Jews and Arabs across the region.

The United Nations has called for an end to the violence, which has seen more than 50 Palestinians killed along with six Israelis since Monday (May 10).

The Northampton councillors also call for the threatened evictions of Palestinian families in areas of East Jerusalem to end in their letter to the Conservative MP for Northampton South.

"The UK government along with the UN and international partners must play a leading role in bringing peace to the region," the letter ends.

Mr Lewer has been contacted for comment.