SEVERAL protesters rallied outside a Worcestershire MP's office this week calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

West Worcestershire MP Harriet Baldwin had a dozen protesters outside her constituency office at Malvern Hills Science Park on Geraldine Road.

Malvern Gazette: Protest outside the entrance to Harriet Baldwin's office.Protest outside the entrance to Harriet Baldwin's office. (Image: Dibah Farooqui)Protesters came armed with placards and Palestinian flags and called for MP Baldwin to back an immediate ceasefire to the conflict.

Anda Phillips, a concerned constituent from Malvern, said: "I have been e-mailing Harriet Baldwin regularly, and I'm disappointed that our government still does not back a ceasefire."

Nadia Abdo, another protester, added: "The fact that our government, opposition and our local MP have failed to condemn the murder of tens of thousands of innocent civilians, the destruction of hospitals, schools, cultural sites and the displacement and deliberate starvation of millions of is inexcusable. I am deeply ashamed that the people who represent me have done nothing whatsoever to prevent this tragedy."

Malvern Gazette: The vigil takes place in Malvern town centre every Sunday. The vigil takes place in Malvern town centre every Sunday. (Image: Dibah Farooqui)The matter is currently being discussed in the House of Commons today (Wednesday)

In response, MP Baldwin said: "If terrorists crossed into West Worcestershire, raped and murdered old people and babies and took our neighbours hostage, I am sure local people would want our Army to go after the terrorists and to rescue the hostages.

"This matter will be debated in the House of Commons today, and I plan to vote for an amendment which supports Israel's right to self-defence, in compliance with international humanitarian law, against the terror attacks perpetrated by Hamas.

Malvern Gazette: A Gaza vigil in Malvern.A Gaza vigil in Malvern. (Image: Dibah Farooqui)"This condemns the slaughter, abuse and gender-based violence perpetrated on October 7, 2023, further condemns the use of civilian areas by Hamas and others for terrorist operations and urges negotiations to agree an immediate humanitarian pause as the best way to stop the fighting and to get aid in and hostages out.

"It also supports moves towards a permanent, sustainable ceasefire,  acknowledges that achieving this will require all hostages to be released, the formation of a new Palestinian Government, Hamas to be unable to launch further attacks and to be no longer in charge in Gaza."

She said voting this way will lead to a credible pathway to a two-state solution which delivers peace, security and justice for both Israelis and Palestinians and expresses concern at the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and at the prospect of a military offensive in Rafah.

She hopes to scale up the flow of aid into Gaza and calls on all parties to take immediate steps to stop the fighting and ensure unhindered humanitarian access.