In an exclusive interview with the IRNA, Williamson said the stance adopted by political parties and the government in the UK with regard to the ongoing situation in Palestine has brought shame on the country.
He also believes that Hamas’ unprecedented operation on October 7 was a total victory for the resistance group against the Israeli regime.
Fowling is the text of Williamson’s interview with IRNA’s London correspondent Hadi Naderi:
What is your take of what happened on 7th October?
It was an inevitable expression of resistance after 75 years of Israeli oppression and terrorism against the Palestinian people.
Some analysis claim that the Al AQsa storm operation revealed Israel’s intelligence failure. Do you share this view and why?
No, I don’t. That’s an attempt to minimise and undermine the ingenuity of the Resistance factions in planning and then executing an audacious operation. The truth is the Resistance brigades deceived and overcame all of Israel’s sophisticated surveillance systems.
How would you best describe Israel’s actions in Gaza and towards the Palestinians?
Israel is guilty of the most egregious war crimes and is clearly perpetrating genocide. The Zionist occupation forces have proved themselves to be devoid of any humanity whatsoever. Their behaviour is reminiscent of Nazis.
How do you evaluate UK government’s response to the situation in Gaza?
The UK government’s response is utterly despicable and indefensible. The political class is clearly out of touch with the people who they are supposed to represent. The government and the official opposition in the House of Commons have brought shame on this country. They must be made to pay a political price at next year’s general election.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hoped for Israel’s victory in his visit to the occupied territories; what is your take on his remarks?
Rishi Sunak’s remarks illustrated that the government is in thrall to the Israel lobby that exerts a pernicious influence on our democracy. What he said was wholly inappropriate and caused huge offence to millions of British people.
How would you evaluate other UK political party’s response to the war in Gaza?
The political system in Britain is broken. Politicians of every stripe worship at the altar of Benjamin Netanyahu. Both the mainstream political parties represented in the British parliament have utterly failed to speak up for humanity. The minor parties have been somewhat better, but none of them have called for the isolation of Israel; to break off diplomatic relations; to impose sanctions against the rogue entity; to demand that Israel is systematically dismantled as the South African apartheid regime was. Calling for a permanent ceasefire alone, is nowhere near enough. That would simply allow Israel to continue expanding its illegal settlements, and carry on its reign of terror, which was a daily occurrence before October 7.
The UK parliament did not back the Scottish National Party’s motion for a ceasefire in Palestine. This is whilst polls show that the majority of British people back cessation of hostilities and an end to war. What is your view on this?
When Israel is murdering on average more children every day in Gaza than perished on a daily basis in Auschwitz, the failure to back a permanent ceasefire illustrates the absolute moral bankruptcy of most British MPs
How do you assess EU’s position? EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell insists on a unified position but there seems to be differences between member states, particularly from Ireland, Belgium and Spain.
The EU’s position, with some notable exceptions from a handful of member states, is little better than the UK’s. This also demonstrates the influence of the Israel lobby on European politicians, too. But the public across Europe do not accept the EU’s stance and this will have political ramifications going forward.
Why can’t the West just condemn the carnage in Gaza? Why are there stutters within the Western politicians when dealing with Israel? Our readers would be interested to learn from a British ex-MP that why in the 21st century, international law cannot be implemented for Israel?
There is absolutely no reason or justification for the West to eschew condemnation of Israel or to demand the universal application of international law. It is simply down to a lack of political will and political cowardice. The present political incumbents are either in the pockets of the Israel lobby, or they are concerned about the impact on their careers of speaking out. They do not deserve to hold political office.
There are discussions in the West about the day after in Gaza, without Hamas and enforcement of a two state solution. How would you envisage what is referred as the day after?
The talk about a two-state solution is for the birds. The people who make these suggestions either don’t know what they’re talking about, or they are being completely disingenuous. The only lasting solution, in my opinion, is a one-state solution, with equal rights for all, where Palestinians are able to return to their land and are paid reparations for the theft and suffering to which they have been subjected since 1948.
What is the way forward to the Gaza crisis, in your opinion?
The people all over the world are rising up to demand justice to force their policy makers to offer tangible, concrete support to Gaza. Ultimately, though, Gaza should be part of a unified Palestinian state from the river to the sea.
What is the practical course of action to address Israel’s action in Gaza?
We need to continue building pressure on policy makers through ever increasing street protests and direct action to force a policy change by Western governments to put meaningful pressure on Israel. Also, more support from regional players for the resistance on the ground. (There is a need for) opening up new fronts against Israel as well.
How do you see the future of Israel’s rapprochement deals with the Arab world, particularly with Saudi Arabia?
The normalisation process was dealt a huge, possibly fatal, blow as a
result of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7. I cannot see how
Arab leaders can resume that process after Israel has slaughtered so
many Palestinians. Furthermore, I believe the whole Zionist project is
teetering. In July this year, the Israeli Channel 13 published a poll
that found 28% of respondents were considering leaving Israel. That
figure will have increased immeasurably now. So, the whole Zionist
project could implode sooner than we think. As Nelson Mandela said, “It
always seems impossible until it's done”.
/129