The local Liberal Democrat team is alarmed by the rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia. This is a problem that effects most political parties and has been exasperated by the situation in Gaza, with the use of inflammatory language for Party political expedience. This was most evident in the recent SNP debate in Parliament on a ceasefire in Gaza. While some MPs managed to strike a balanced tone, it soon descended into childish name-calling and attempts to embarrass political opponents that showed Parliament at its worst. This should have been an opportunity for MPs to pass a motion most could agree on, as there was not much difference between the various motions calling for a ceasefire. However, it was hijacked for petty political ends and failed to recognise the effect on both Israelis and Palestinians, and showed our divisive politics at its worse.