PALESTINE campaigners in Wales wrote to the First Minister today calling on him to open “clear red water” with the Westminster government and call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The Rhondda Cynon Taf Palestine Solidarity Campaign group wrote an open letter to Welsh leader Mark Drakeford, urging him to change heart and support a ceasefire.

The letter to Mr Drakeford said: “We have seen the cruel outcome of a pause in the fighting as Israel has redoubled its bombing — called ‘impressive bombing’ by the Israeli defence minister.

“We call on you to now put some clear red water between the position here in Wales and that of the UK government and opposition.

“We are sure that you, like us, are greatly saddened and even angry at the heartbreaking scenes and news coming from Gaza, and from the West Bank.

"The numbers of deaths of innocent civilians, including so many women and children, must be condemned.

“We look to you, as the First Minister here in Wales, to now take a lead in calling for an immediate, urgent, and permanent ceasefire.

“We are clear that any and every act of atrocity by both sides in this conflict should be condemned, but the numbers of deaths of Palestinians is on a scale that can only be described as genocide.”

The letter to the First Minister was signed by local chairman Ken Moon and secretary Julia Silezin; Mr Drakeford was asked to comment.

There was also an open letter from Montgomeryshire PSC to its Conservative MP Craig Williams and Senedd Member Russell George calling on them to demand a ceasefire.