The following Answer to an Urgent Question was given in the House
of Commons on Tuesday 4 July.
“The accelerating cycle of violence in the West Bank risks
another round of bloodshed and the Government are doing
everything possible to urge the de-escalation of the situation.
The latest operation by the Israel Defense Forces in the Jenin
refugee camp in the northern West Bank on Monday is the latest
episode in a conflict that has become more worrying as the year
has progressed. While the UK firmly supports Israel’s right to
defend itself and its citizens against terrorism, we urge the
Israel Defense Forces to demonstrate restraint, adhere to the
principles of international humanitarian law and prioritise the
protection of civilians.
While the security situation today remains fragile, the UK
welcomed Israeli and Palestinian engagement at meetings in Aqaba
on 26 February and Sharm el-Sheikh on 19 March. We are clear-eyed
that those meetings have not been a silver bullet, but they are
an open, meaningful channel of communication between senior
Israelis and Palestinians. At times of strife, this is important
in assisting de-escalation and reducing violence. We have
consistently engaged with both the Israelis and the Palestinians
to urge them to de-escalate tensions and to support efforts
towards renewed negotiations.
My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to the
Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, on 26 June—when they
discussed the security situation in the West Bank—having spoken
to the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, on 16 June.
I can confirm that the Minister for the Middle East, Lord Ahmad,
will be discussing the evolving situation with the Israeli
ambassador later today, further to discussions in recent days. He
also spoke to the Palestinian Foreign Minister, Riyad al-Maliki,
on 5 May. Our ambassadors in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem speak
regularly to both the Israeli Government and the Palestinian
Authority to urge de-escalation and to make clear our expectation
that all sides avoid unilateral steps that move the parties
further away from dialogue.
Finally, I draw the House’s attention to the statement that the
Foreign Secretary made jointly with his Canadian and Australian
counterparts last Friday. The UK opposes Israel’s announced
proposal to expand settlements across the West Bank, and we ask
Israel to halt and reverse its policy of supporting settlement
expansion. Settlements are not the only obstacle to peace, but
they are an important one, and our concerns about these recent
steps are clear. The lives lost in this wider conflict are
tragic. There is an urgent need for all parties to avoid further
escalation in the West Bank and Gaza, now and in the days
ahead.”
14:18:00
(Lab)
My Lords, we must all be concerned about the events in the camp
in Jenin. Last Whitsun, I visited the West Bank, touring refugee
camps and following a trail set by my noble friend—I mean, the
noble Lord the Minister—who, I believe, did the same trip a
couple of weeks before me. I witnessed at first hand the
conditions in some of the camps and the closeness of the
communities. I also witnessed settler violence against
Palestinian villagers. The situation was pretty dire. I recognise
that Israel has the right to defend itself against militant
groups, but that right must be exercised proportionately and in
line with international law.
In the other place, when this Question was considered, my
honourable friend asked a straightforward
question for which he did not get an answer. I therefore repeat
it this afternoon: what of substance are the Minister and the
Government doing to bring this immediate conflict to an end and
to lay the foundations of a two-state solution, which we all
seek?
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office ()
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord. He almost called me his noble
friend. Perhaps that is a reflection of the time we are spending
together on various aspects of the House’s business today. I
share his concern, and we have all been again shocked by the
cycle of violence that continues to occur across the West Bank in
particular but also in Gaza. I share the same sentiments and
principles that the noble Lord has articulated in relation to
Israel’s security concerns; however, as it seeks to address those
particular concerns, it should do so by respecting and minimising
civilian casualties, demonstrating restraint and adherence to
principles of international humanitarian law, and ensuring that
civilians are protected.
On the steps that the United Kingdom is taking, as the Minister
responsible for the Middle East, I can assure the noble Lord
that, first and foremost, we are engaging directly with both
sides. Over the past 48 hours or so I have spoken to the Israeli
representative to the United Kingdom at length and to the Israeli
chargé d’affaires. My right honourable friend the Foreign
Secretary has spoken to Foreign Minister Cohen of Israel as well
as the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad
Shtayyeh, again emphasising: first, the importance of
de-escalation; secondly, the importance of ensuring a
minimisation of any further violence that may take place; and,
thirdly, the need to ensure, particularly on the Israeli side,
now the Jenin operation has ended, that full access is given to
allow full medical attention for those injured during the crisis.
Tragically, people have died on both sides. There has also been a
further attack in Tel Aviv with a car ramming. It shows the
challenge that we all face regarding the ever-growing circle of
violence. I agree with the noble Lord and assure him of my best
offices in addressing the issue of the immediate cessation of
violence. It should be the foundation for direct negotiations
between Israel and the Palestinians.
(LD)
My Lords, I, too, have visited the Occupied Territories in the
West Bank in recent times and echo the concerns already raised. I
pay particular tribute to the NGOs and voluntary organisations
within the Occupied Territories that are giving support in the
current circumstances. I am particularly concerned, again, about
settler violence and increasing attacks, and the incitement from
the extreme Government of Israel for settlers to erode and take
away the rights of the resident population there. I am concerned
to hear from Medical Aid for Palestinians that medical aid is
proving inaccessible for many civilians under the violent
conditions within the West Bank and that they are prevented from
having access to medical support. I should like to hear the
Government say something about that. The UK Government now have
the presidency of the UN Security Council. Will they take a
leadership role to ensure the protection of human rights for the
Palestinian people in the illegally Occupied Territories of the
West Bank?
(Con)
My Lords, on the noble Baroness’s first point, I have directly
met some of the NGOs, including Medical Aid for Palestinians, in
my office in the last 48 hours and we discussed specific
measures. Engagement with NGOs is a key part of my priorities. We
will be convening a session tomorrow on this issue at the UN
Security Council. It is a closed session but will be followed
later in our presidency with a more extensive debate on the
Middle East peace process. I share all the relevant concerns
expressed by the noble Baroness about the need for negotiation
and for peace to prevail.
(Con)
Will my noble friend say to his counterparts in the Israeli
Government that those of us who are strong supporters of the
state of Israel are none the less deeply concerned by the
building of settlements outside the internationally recognised
frontiers of Israel, by the absence of any obvious movement on a
peace settlement or agreement with the Palestinians, and by the
propensity to use massive force? Does he agree that this is not a
stable situation?
(Con)
I totally agree with my noble friend. For the record, again, the
United Kingdom’s position on the settlements is clear: they are
an impediment to peace. As my noble friend illustrated, those
settlements are of course illegal under international law.
(Non-Afl)
My Lords, Israel was forced to act because the Palestinian
Authority lost control of Jenin and Islamic jihadists and Hamas
terrorists then used the city to mount a wave of terror attacks
on families and children in Israel. In this operation, the IDF
destroyed explosives labs, seized hundreds of guns and bombs and
arrested 120 terrorists. It did all that in a densely populated
area while ensuring that there were no civilian casualties at
all—not one. Does the Minister agree that this was a justified,
proportionate, successful operation to tackle terrorism?
(Con)
My Lords, as I have already indicated, as both a friend and a
partner to Israel, the UK—indeed, I myself—reiterated those exact
points to the chargé during our conversation, as did my right
honourable friend the Foreign Secretary. However, as we see the
cycle of violence occur yet again, is it equally important that
the core issue is addressed, because there can be no peace for
any Israeli or Palestinian until we see a final settlement on
this long-standing issue.
(CB)
My Lords, does the Minister agree that trying to allocate blame
in the circumstances of the events of the past few days is
probably not very worth while? Surely it is becoming clearer that
the total absence of any discussion of ways to dial down the
escalation, which is being provoked by extremists on both sides,
is part of the problem. What do we in the Security Council plan
to do to see whether some discussion—direct or indirect—of the
way ahead could now take place, perhaps adding a small element of
chance that the escalation will not continue into a new
intifada?
(Con)
My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord about the role that the UK
has to play. We are convening appropriate meetings. Ultimately, I
agree that what we need—indeed, the only way to stop this cycle
of violence—is de-escalation now and a pathway to peace.
(Con)
My Lords, I refer the House to my entry in the register of
interests. There is a clear pattern of behaviour, which—whether
it is drones targeting Ukrainian citizens, the support for
Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Jenin, or Iran via the
IRGC—continues to destabilise across the globe. I welcome the
Statement on Iran today, but my noble friend knows it is not
enough for me: the IRGC must be proscribed as a terrorist
organisation.
Earlier today, my noble friend said at the Dispatch Box—and
repeated just now—that every Government’s first duty is to defend
their people. Does he therefore agree that we must stand shoulder
to shoulder with our friend and ally Israel in removing
Iranian-backed arms and explosives before they are used to murder
innocent Israeli citizens?
(Con)
My Lords, we will be discussing the Statement when it is repeated
later, but I can say once again that we have been very clear in
our statements on Israel’s destabilising influence in the wider
region. I reiterate on the record that the first responsibility
of any responsible Government is the security of their citizens.
As I said, while we appreciate, respect and have defended
Israel’s right to self-defence, what is equally needed—as I am
sure my noble friend agrees—is security, stabilisation and,
ultimately, a pathway of sustainable peace for both the Israelis
and the Palestinians.
