Labour MPs across Sheffield have joined together to raise money for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) as part of an annual Christmas appeal.
The appeal was announced by Paul Blomfield – MP for Sheffield Central – on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week.
In the announcement he wrote: “Each Christmas I organise an appeal for a local or national charity.
“This year I’m raising money with Sheffield’s other Labour MPs for the emergency appeal made by Medical Aid for Palestinians.”
Mr Blomfield is joined in supporting the appeal by fellow Labour representatives Olivia Blake, Clive Betts, Gill Furniss and Louise Haigh; who represent Sheffield Hallam, Sheffield South East, Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough and Sheffield Heeley respectively.
The appeal takes place as Israel resumes strikes in Gaza following a brief ceasefire, during which prisoners held by both Israel and Hamas were exchanged and more images of destruction and suffering were broadcast around the world.
MAP operates programmes in Gaza and the West Bank working to ensure health and dignity for Palestinian communities, providing aid including mental health services and children and women’s health support according to the organisation’s website.
Labour’s response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza has proved divisive within the party for both representatives and members.
Tensions came to a head two weeks ago, when a motion by the SNP calling for an immediate ceasefire compelled 56 Labour MPs to rebel against Sir Keir Starmer’s more moderate call for a pause to hostilities.
10 Labour frontbenchers quit their posts as a result of Sir Keir’s stance, which was considered inadequate by a substantial number of his MPs.
Counted among the 56 dissenting Labour MPs are two of the MPs backing the MAP fundraiser: Paul Blomfield and Clive Betts, with Olivia Blake indicating on X that while unable to attend the vote for medical reasons – she would also have backed the SNP in the vote.
In her post addressing her absence Ms Blake wrote: “If I were able to attend, I can assure you that I would absolutely vote for an immediate ceasefire.
“I am pained that I cannot be there to do so, but my conviction remains unchanged and I will continue to push for a ceasefire with all the means at my disposal.”
As the conflict rages on, this fundraiser backed by the five Labour MPs representing a broad swath of Sheffield highlights the continued importance of this issue for MPs and the constituents they represent.
The appeal can be found here: Sheffield Labour MPs is fundraising for Medical Aid for Palestinians (justgiving.com)
