Discussions in the House of Commons in London over the past two days have focused on the British bases in Cyprus, particularly concerning the Middle East conflict.
Initially, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrew Mitchell, responding to a question about providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, stated that Britain has 82 tons of “humanitarian supplies” in Cyprus ready to be dispatched, along with five tons of medical equipment.
“As soon as there is an opportunity to transport more aid and support to Gaza, we will use these supplies to do just that,” added Mr. Mitchell.
Moreover, during Wednesday’s midday session of the Parliament with questions directed at the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak reiterated that his government is “actively exploring the opportunity for maritime corridors” to transport humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Former leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, raised the question in another discussion about “what the Royal Air Force planes departing from Akrotiri base transport directly to Israel.”
Labour MP John McDonnell added that these aircraft could potentially be carrying cargo used in the bombing of Gaza and the loss of lives.
In a similar statement in another discussion, Alba party MP Kenny MacAskill commented, “If we facilitate the provision of weapons to Israel by Americans flying from the Akrotiri base, that is simply unacceptable, and we are complicit. Not only does the Republic of Cyprus have the right to know what is happening in a sovereign British base, but so do the citizens of the United Kingdom. We need to know that there is no complicity here,” he noted.
In the same spirit, MacAskill, for the second time in a few days, directed a question to the Ministry of Defence about whether the British armed forces need permission from the government of Cyprus for take-offs of both British and American flights from the Akrotiri base.
Defense Minister James Heappey referred to a previous response indicating that the UK Ministry of Defence regularly engages with the Republic of Cyprus on matters related to the sovereign base areas.
“This includes, where appropriate, informing the Republic of Cyprus about flights to and from the Akrotiri base, although there is no official obligation to do so,” he added.
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