Foreign Office minister Baroness Warsi has dramatically quit the government, citing the UK’s “morally indefensible” position on the conflict in Gaza.
In her resignation letter to the prime minister, David Cameron, Warsi wrote that Britain’s support for Israeli military action against Hamas, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,800 Palestinians over the past month, “is morally indefensible, is not in Britain’s national interest and will have a long term detrimental impact on our reputation”.
Warsi’s decision to quit makes hers the first ministerial resignation ‘on principle’ since the coalition was formed in 2010 and comes in the wake of attacks on the prime minister’s handling of the Gaza crisis by Labour leader Ed Miliband – and a 72-hour humanitarian truce agreed between Israel and Hamas in Cairo on Monday evening.
Speaking exclusively to The Huffington Post UK in her first interview since resigning on Tuesday morning, the Tory peer accused the coalition of failing to act as an “honest broker” in the Middle East and called for an immediate arms embargo against Israel.
“The British government can only play a constructive role in solving the Middle East crisis if it is an honest broker,” the former Foreign Office minister said, “and at the moment I do not think it is.”
Categories: Asia, Europe and Australia, UK, Video
There is no place for a Muslim in British politics. Politics is a dirty game.
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, an influential Muslim politician has resigned as a cabinet minister in David Cameron’s Government over Britain’s shamelessly pro-Israel policy on Gaza.
Hats off to the brave lady who has set an example not only for politicians in Britain but has also put to shame selfish and coward Muslim politicians around the world who are devoid of any sense of being answerable to Allah. Her courage and putting conscience before her political future particularly reminds me of the cowardice act of Lord Adam Patel who had travelled to Gujarat to shake hands with the butcher of Gujarat to get permission for a private dental hospital for his brother.
May Allah bless you Baroness and give others the taufeeq to learn from you not only in Britain but in other parts of the world as well.
The news of her resignation has been widely reported by electronic and print media but for the interest of friends I am giving a link from the pro-Israeli Jewish Chronicle.
Dr Shuja Shafi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, praised Baroness Warsi over her decision and paid tribute to her role as a Minister: “Baroness Warsi made a difficult decision in resigning from the Government. But her decision reflects the common humanity that exists in her own party and across the political spectrum, all horrified by the brutality of the Israeli war machine against the people of Gaza. Our government can no longer remain oblivious to the concerns of the British public. It must speak out more firmly against the government in Tel Aviv and pressurise them to stop their bloody campaign and end the siege on Gaza.”
Praising Baroness Warsi’s work as a Minister, Dr Shafi said: “Baroness Warsi has worked extremely hard as a Minister, not in only representing our country so well in Muslim countries and at international forums, but also in bringing faith communities together here in the UK. She has also worked hard for British Muslims, from highlighting the contribution of Muslims in the First World War to supporting Islamic Finance.
Being the first Muslim to be a chair of the Conservative Party and a member of Cabinet, Sayeeda Warsi has certainly been a role model to Muslims around the country. May she continue to be so.”
IA
http://www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk
Quoting BBC
Foreign Office minister Baroness Warsi has resigned from the government, saying its policy on the crisis in Gaza is “morally indefensible”.
She wrote on her Twitter feed that she was leaving with “deep regret”.
Lady Warsi, who was previously chairman of the Conservative Party, became the first female Muslim cabinet minister when David Cameron took office in 2010.
The prime minister said he “regretted” that she had not discussed her decision to quit with him before announcing it.
Labour backed Lady Warsi’s comments, but Chancellor George Osborne called her resignation “disappointing and frankly unnecessary”.
Lady Warsi grew up in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, and worked as a solicitor before entering politics. She was demoted from the cabinet to a middle-ranking Foreign Office post in 2012, being made minister for faith and communities at the same time.
She wrote on Twitter on Tuesday: “With deep regret I have this morning written to the Prime Minister & tendered my resignation. I can no longer support Govt policy on #Gaza.”
Several backbench Conservative MPs have called on Mr Cameron to take a more robust line with Israel amid concerns its actions in Gaza are “disproportionate”.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-28656874
There is no doubt that majority of politicians are cunning and they never tell the truth. They are hypocrites except a few.
British are known for working on divide and rule policy since long, however West has also learned and adopted the same policy. Although all Christian countries and Jew are deadly against Muslim yet they are sensible and have purchased Muslim rulers and are successful in breaking them up. Palestine is a small country with little population still they are divided in factions. Western countries have learned from Middle East/Israel 1967 war when Egypt blocked Ship Canal that damaged West economy and Middle East interrupted Oil supply.
Muslims are the 2nd largest population on this planet present in all the countries of the world but they are timid and selfish.
I would blame Muslim Governments for their coward and shameless behavior and praise to brave lady who has slapped on the face of British Government.
A lesson for Muslim Leaders to come out of their shells and condemn the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Civilians and also to demand the lifting the uncalled for blockade. The united Muslim voice will have its effect.