JJP lobbies the American Embassy again

On 29 October, JJP wrote to the American Embassy again about Israel’s continuing violation of the ceasefire. We implored President Trump to see Israel’s provocations for what they are and to insist that Israel honours the spirit of the ceasefire as well as the letter.

Our letter is below

Ahmed Shama, Middle East Advisor 29 October 2025

US Embassy London

Dear Mr. Shama,

Further to my email yesterday evening, I’m writing again about Israel’s violation of the ceasefire. Israel has now invented a new story to justify the bombings yesterday. Defence Minister Katz claimed it was retaliation for Hamas killing a soldier during an Israeli operation to dismantle a tunnel in Rafah. That is the same excuse Israel used to justify the bombings on Sunday 19 October, except that time Israel said it was acting to “to dismantle terrorist infrastructure” in Rafah (see my letter of 20 October).

Both tunnel dismantlings constituted aggressive military activity even though they did not involve use of weapons. They were provocative. That violates ceasefires. If they did not violate the letter of this ceasefire, it is because of the inexperience of Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The Israeli negotiators, however, would have understood the significance of the omission full well. Israel has taken advantage of Witkoff and Kushner’s inexperience to create provocations while trying to claim innocence.

More than 90 people were killed yesterday in addition to the 45 or so killed Sunday. Despite Israel’s claim that it it was targetting “dozens of terror targets and terrorists”, we know from experience that most of the victims were civilians. These bombings are unconscionable and they must be stopped.

We implore the President to see Israel’s provocations for what they are and to insist that Israel honours the spirit of the ceasefire as well as the letter.

We also implore the President to ensure that the international stabilisation force enters Gaza quickly and that Al Shabab decommissions its weapons in tandem with Hamas decommissioning. Both are essential preliminary stages of the President’s plan. Based on what Israel has already done, it is clear the President will have to be ready to apply pressure on Israel at every stage if his plan is to have a chance of long-term success.

I hope to hear from you to arrange a meeting when you are allowed to have outride meetings.

Arthur Goodman,

Parliamentary and Diplomatic Officer