A York MP has called on the government to allow Palestinians in Gaza to come to the UK in a scheme like that offered to the Ukraine.

Labour’s Rachael Maskell has submitted an Early Day Motion on the issue, attracting the support of 28 MPs from the Labour, Lib-Dem, Green, Plaid Cymru and SDLP parties, plus independents.

Her motion says more than 40,000 people in Gaza have died during the current conflict, with the number of injured far exceeding 100,000.

“The destruction of the Gaza's health infrastructure means that people cannot access vital medical attention,” she said.

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Furthermore, she continued, “there are a small number of Palestinians living in the UK whose loved ones are at imminent risk in Gaza.”

Therefore, the motion “calls upon the Government to introduce a Gaza Family Visa Scheme, based upon the Ukraine Family Scheme, to enable Palestinians from Gaza to reunite with their family members and seek temporary sanctuary in the UK until it is safe to return.”

Ms Maskell told the Press that on February 24 2022, the world “watched in horror at the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.”

The MP continued: “We rightly enabled family members to immediately travel to the UK, and yet following the horrific assault by Hamas on 7 October 2023 which has resulted in at least 45,000 Palestinian civilians being killed, a similar scheme has not been established.

“My motion asks for a far more limited approach of family members, like my Palestinian constituent, who came to York to study at invitation of the British Council ahead of these terrible events, however has children left in Gaza.

“I am sure that no-one in York can imagine what it must be like to know that your little children could be killed at any point. A limited family visa scheme would enable these families to be reunited and safe.”

Ms Maskell added: “It is wrong to assume that little children would be Hamas supporters or pose terrorist threats, and therefore I am advocating for a secure, limited scheme to help families be together as we witness the most horrific atrocities be perpetrated against innocent civilians.

“We must recall that 70 per cent of those killed in Gaza are children and women, and for this reason my constituent should be able to see his family again, as should others.”

York Outer Labour MP Luke Charters told the Press he did not support the motion but did not comment further.

Thirsk and Malton Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake told the Press that other countries in the Middle East should offer such support, like Egypt and Syria.

He said: “Other countries are there, that would be more appropriate. It can’t be the UK every time. We shared the responsibility with the rest of Europe with the Ukraine as neighbours. Why aren’t they (Middle Eastern countries) taking similar responsibility?”