(Lichfield) (Con)
The hostility with Iran has caused even greater friendship
between the adjoining Arab countries and the state of Israel, so
is not now the time to follow the US and some other countries by
moving the British embassy from Tel Aviv to the capital of
Israel, where its Parliament is, Jerusalem?
My hon. Friend is right to say that the UK and Israel share a
thriving relationship, working together on bilateral priorities,
as well as on regional issues of mutual concern. The
British embassy in Israel is in Tel Aviv. I am aware of the
possibility of a review but will not speculate further on this
point.
Israeli Government Proscription of Palestinian Civil Society
Groups
(Stockton North) (Lab)
12. Whether she has had recent discussions with her Israeli
counterpart on the Israeli Government’s proscription of
Palestinian civil society groups.
The Minister for Asia and the Middle East ()
We have been clear about our concern over the Israeli
Government’s decision in October 2021 to designate six
Palestinian non-governmental organisations as terrorist
organisations, and the subsequent raids on seven NGOs. We
continue to engage with a number of these organisations and have
raised the issue with the Israeli authorities, including, most
recently, through our ambassador to Israel.
I am grateful to the Minister for her comments. What assessment
has she made of the impact of the listing and raids of
Palestinian civic society and human rights groups on the prospect
of that much-wanted and much-needed two-state solution and an
enduring peace for Palestinians and Israelis?
Civil society organisations play a really important role in
upholding human rights and democracy. They must be able to
operate freely in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. During my
recent visit to Israel and the OPTs in June, I met human rights
defenders, journalists and civil society organisations to discuss
the pressures that they face in the region. I emphasise the UK’s
strong support for freedom of speech and media freedom.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Enfield, Southgate)
(Lab)
Last October, Israel designated six Palestinian civil society
groups as terrorist organisations, which has caused widespread
concern. Accusations of terrorism must be treated with the utmost
seriousness and must be grounded in evidence. As The Guardian
reported in August, the CIA, which is known to be assiduous in
these matters, said that no evidence had been presented to
support the designation. Will the Minister press her Israeli
counterpart for that evidence and, in the absence of such
evidence, continue to support the Palestinian civil society that
is so important to democracy and the goal of a two-state
solution?
I agree with the hon. Gentleman, as I just said, on the
importance of civil society and the role it plays in terms of
human rights and democracy. The evidence that forms the basis of
the designations is a matter for the Government of Israel. The UK
maintains its own criteria for designation, and we continue to
engage with many of those organisations. As I said, we have been
clear about our concerns.
(Harlow) (Con)
With Iran stepping up its terrorist activities in the middle
east, supporting terrorist organisations carrying out attacks
against Israel and developing its nuclear capacity, what plans
does my right hon. Friend have to introduce sanctions against
Iran and take up further punitive measures?
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his question. I am
afraid that I will not be able to talk about future sanction
designations on the Floor of the House as that would undermine
their role.
