Extracts from Business
questions (Commons)
(Manchester Central)
(Lab/Co-op):..As we continue to witness the horror of the events
unfolding in Israel and
Gaza, and the emotions that they raise here at home,
Hate Crime Awareness Week is a timely reminder that we stand
united against hate. The whole House speaks with one voice
against antisemitism and Islamophobia. As
Members, we know that events in the middle east are directly and
indirectly impacting on our constituents. We stand in
solidarity.
We condemn unequivocally the heartless terrorist actions of
Hamas. Israel has
the right to defend itself, rescue hostages and protect its
borders. International law must be upheld at all times. The lives
of innocent civilians must be safeguarded, and every possible
assistance must be made available to those who need help. There
must be immediate humanitarian access to Gaza for aid, food,
water, medicines, fuel and electricity. We welcome developments
today, but it is urgent and it needs to be sustained. Hamas are
not the Palestinian people, and the Palestinian people are not
Hamas. We will continue to be strong advocates for justice, human
rights and international law, and to keep alive the prospect of
peace based on a two-state solution. Will the Prime Minister
update the House following his visit this week?
The Leader of the House of Commons ()...I add my voice to those
of many in this Chamber who have expressed their horror, sadness
and sympathy with all those caught up in the situation
in Israel and
Gaza. My thoughts are particularly with those who have
lost loved ones in the most barbaric terrorist attack, and with
those taken hostage and their families who await news of them. At
times like these, we in this place may feel that we cannot
directly help, but we all can. We can all make judgments based on
facts, promote those facts and debunk deliberate disinformation
campaigns, keep informed and wide-eyed about the realities of the
situation, and reassure communities here in the UK...
(Edinburgh North and Leith)
(SNP): The Leader of the House has previously commented on how
much she enjoys our exchanges at business questions, as do I. It
is the weekly forum where I challenge her on our deep and
profound differences in policies and priorities, and there will
be plenty of opportunities in the next few weeks and months to
tackle her on her Government’s shortcomings. However, today, like
so many people, my thoughts are with the civilian populations in
Gaza and Israel People
across all nations of the UK share this House’s revulsion and
fear of what we see unfolding—revulsion at the barbarism of Hamas
and fear of what the future holds for innocent children, women
and men in both Gaza and Israel
A huge number of MPs have constituents who are worried sick about
friends or relatives who are caught up in these events, and of
course communities across the UK will be anxious about what we
are witnessing and its potential impact. As the House will know,
Scotland’s First Minister, , and his wife and family are
directly affected in the most terrible way, and my thoughts are
also with them today...
:...The hon. Lady will know
that additional humanitarian support is being provided by the
Government to the region, which is built on many years of
providing support. We are one of the major contributors to the
United Nations Relief and Works Agency, and we have done a huge
amount of work in Lebanon to support the refugee programmes
there. So we bring not just the financial offer, but decades of
expertise in working in the region and with our networks. Of
course we want hostilities to end, but I would just say to the
hon. Lady that we are dealing with a terrorist organisation, and
negotiating ceasefires with terrorist organisations is a very
difficult thing to do.
The hon. Lady is right to highlight the plight of hostages, and
one way we can all help is by keeping a focus on those
individuals and their families in the coming days—I hope not
weeks—and on their return. This is another area where the UK has
a lot of expertise to offer. Israel will not
have had a lot of expertise in hostage negotiation. Not just the
Government but our non-governmental organisations have huge
experience of working with organisations such as the
International Committee of the Red Cross and interlocutors in
trying to get hostages extracted. I know that all we can do to
help will be on offer. She is also right to point to the fact
that the barbaric terrorist attack that kicked off this chain of
events is in part designed to wreck any chance of peace, in
particular the progress that was being made between Israel
Saudi Arabia and others in normalising relations. I thank her for
the opportunity to send a message from all of us in this House
that this is our focus and concern...
(Gateshead) (Lab):...Finally, as part of the crisis in
Israel
Palestine and Gaza, a number of families in my
constituency have been affected. Prior to the horrific Hamas
attacks was the Jewish festival of Sukkot. A number of families
from my Orthodox Haredi Jewish community were in Israel celebrating
Sukkot and then became stranded and could not get home. Some have
had to pay eye-watering sums to travel home by alternative means,
because lots of flights were cancelled. Will the Leader of the
House help me and those who have had to pay out sometimes
whole-life savings to get their families of six or seven back
home from Israel...
(Chipping Barnet) (Con):
Could we have a debate on media reporting of the conflict between
Israel and Hamas so
that we can hold to account those media outlets that chose to
rush to blame Israel for
the hospital tragedy without a sound evidential basis? Accurate
reporting is crucial. Failing to deliver that makes the situation
worse, could cost lives and could fuel hatred and antisemitism
here in the UK.
: I thank my right hon.
Friend for raising that important point. There are two issues.
One is the Ofcom code and certain broadcasters’ adherence to it.
The guidance for that code says:
“Broadcasters should have regard to the list of proscribed terror
groups or organisations in the UK”,
which is incredibly important. It is also critical that
reporters, sometimes stationed in very stressful environments,
report facts as facts and that those things that are not
facts—things that have not been verified or are lines to take
from terrorist organisations—should not be treated as facts. The
BBC does focus on these things to a very large degree, but we
know that sometimes it does not get things right, as we saw
recently with its code of conduct surrounding the Gary Lineker
situation. I am sure that it will want to kick the tyres on this
and ensure that anyone listening to a BBC outlet is being given
the best possible information.
(Bath) (LD): On behalf of the
Liberal Democrats, I echo what has been said this morning about
the terrible conflict in Israel and
Palestine and repeat what my hon. Friend the Member for
Oxford West and Abingdon () said: peace is now more
difficult than war, so the global community has to come together
and press for peace...
(Harrow East) (Con): It is understandable that,
after suffering the worst terrorist atrocity in its history and
the largest loss of Jewish life since the holocaust, the state of
Israel will now seek to
eliminate the threat of Hamas and all the other terrorist
organisations. Mr Speaker enabled a statement on Monday and then
an urgent question. Rather than a statement, would it not be
better for the House to have a debate, in Government time and on
a Government motion, so that it can express its support for the
state of Israel and we can come
to a ready conclusion to send a strong signal? Does the Leader of
the House agree that there can be no equivalence between the
Hamas terrorists, who kill, maim and torture civilians and try to
eliminate as many Jews as they possibly can, and
the Israel Defence Forces,
which seeks to target terrorists and minimise civilian
casualties?
: I think that many Members
of this House would want further opportunities to discuss this
very important matter, so I suggest to my hon. Friend that he
pursues the idea of a debate.
There has been discussion over the last week of proportionality,
and the term “collective punishment” has been used on the Floor
of the House. It is incredibly important that we recognise that
the International Committee of the Red Cross principle of
proportionality does not mean an eye for an eye, as some have
suggested. That would be perverse. We do not suggest via that
very important principle that, if the Israel Defence
Forces raided Gaza and beheaded a precise number of infants or
burned a precise number of families or raped a precise number of
women and girls, that would be okay—of course not. That is not
what proportionality means. The principle of proportionality
seeks to limit damage caused by military operations by requiring
that the effects of the means and methods of warfare must not be
disproportionate to the military advantage sought...
(Birmingham, Hodge Hill) (Lab):
I join the Leader of the House in her utter condemnation of
Hamas’s brutal attack on Israel It was not what
Hannah Arendt once called “the banality of evil”; it was the
calculation of evil. That is why it is right that we defend
Israel’s right to self-defence.
Like the shadow Leader of the House and colleagues across the
House, I am acutely concerned that 2.2 million Palestinians now
face humanitarian disaster. The Prime Minister was right to say
in his statement:
“We must ensure that humanitarian support urgently reaches
civilians in Gaza.”[—[Official Report, 16 October 2023; Vol. 738,
c.
24.]](/search/column?VolumeNumber=738&ColumnNumber=24&House=1)
What is the best way for us to debate the strategy next week? It
seems to many of us in this House that an urgent, negotiated
cessation of hostilities, binding on all sides, will be required
to ensure that we meet the Prime Minister’s objective. We know
that the United States and Egypt are working hard to secure that,
so it would be good for us to understand how the UK Government
are helping to achieve that objective.
: I thank the right hon.
Gentleman for raising this very important matter, and I
congratulate him on his recent election as Chair of the Business
and Trade Committee.
I repeat what I said earlier: it is incredibly difficult to
negotiate a ceasefire with a terrorist organisation but, of
course, we want to ensure that innocent civilians are protected
and are given the support they need. The UK has a vital role to
play in that, not just through diplomatic channels, but through
the expertise that Government and our non-governmental
organisations have. I am very conscious of the fact that
Parliament is about to be prorogued and that Members will want to
be kept informed when the House is not sitting, and I shall
certainly bear that in mind. He will know how to apply for a
debate in the usual way and that Ministers will want to keep the
House informed.
What Israel is trying to do
is end Hamas, a terror organisation that is a block to peace. The
IDF is a trained military force that is subject to the rules of
armed conflict and international law. Its soldiers are trained in
these ethical matters. Its targeting doctrine and analysis of it
is in the public domain and subject to scrutiny. I do not think
that Hamas produces joint service publications, but if it did,
they would say the opposite. It is there to cause damage and
suffering to Israeli civilians and it has no regard, either, to
the value of Palestinian lives, whose suffering appears to be
acceptable collateral damage to its cause. It is very important
that all of us in this House understand those critical
principles, and I am sure that the Library will be able to assist
hon. Members.
(Cardiff South and Penarth)
(Lab/Co-op): I associate myself with the remarks made by the
shadow Leader of the House, my hon. Friend the Member for
Manchester Central (). Many constituents in Cardiff
South and Penarth have expressed their horror and shock at the
loss of innocent life in Israel and Gaza, their
revulsion at Hamas, but also the importance of international law
and humanitarian access and principles being upheld.
(Hammersmith) (Lab): Will
the Leader of the House ask ministerial colleagues to report to
the House on breaches of international law during the war in
Gaza? Targeting, displacement and collective punishment of
civilians are war crimes whoever commits them. This country has a
proud record of upholding international law and bringing to
justice those who break it. Should we not continue to do that
whether in Gaza, Ukraine or other conflicts?
: I take these matters very
seriously. Indeed, when I was International Development Secretary
it was because of the regard that nations had for international
humanitarian law that I was unable to unblock Hodeidah port and
get aid into Yemen. These are very important principles and we
must ensure that they are upheld. We as a nation must ensure that
people understand that we place them at the heart of everything
that we do.
Extracts from
Westminster Hall debate on UN Sustainable Development
Goals
(Glasgow North) (SNP):...
The other theme that has come out of today’s debate has been
conflict. The hon. Member for Hendon spoke about landmines. The
hon. Member for Congleton () and the hon. Member for
Strangford spoke about how conflict affects freedom of religion
and belief, and the hon. Member for Ealing, Southall rightly
spoke about the situation in Gaza. We cannot have this debate
without reference to the humanitarian catastrophe now unfolding
in Gaza. How different might the world be if the authorities
in Israel and Palestine
had focused on attaining the sustainable development goals for
all the peoples of their territories, rather than descending into
a spiral of violence and destruction?
In the modern world, development and peace are so closely tied
together that Pope Paul VI was moved to say that
“development is the new name for peace.”
He also said:
“If you want peace, work for justice.”
In the last few days, his successor Pope Francis has been even
clearer about the situation in Israel and
Palestine, saying,
“Humanitarian law is to be respected, especially in Gaza. Please,
let no more innocent blood be shed, neither in the Holy Land nor
in Ukraine, nor in any other place! Enough! Wars are always a
defeat, always!”
I hope the Minister can agree with that.
What I would say to the hon. Gentleman, though, is that we need
to be led by the facts in this case, and saying
that Israel is collectively
punishing Palestinians is quite wrong. In an earlier answer I
gave quite detailed information about the framework that Israeli
defence forces adhere to and the training that they undergo. He
can look up previous conflicts and information that has been put
out about how the Israeli defence forces conduct themselves, the
care that is taken when undergoing targeting boards and the
scrutiny that is applied to that, and the legal frameworks
covering those things.
Hamas does not have the equivalent, and it is important that the
language that we use in this place is correct and factual. There
are extremely serious consequences in this country and across the
middle east region of promoting information that is not correct.
That is incredibly important. I know that the House of Commons
Library will take its responsibilities seriously. This is a
legitimate action that Israel is taking to defend
its own security and defeat a terrorist organisation. We and
other nations have stressed that that must be done according to
international law and the principles that I set out earlier. The
hon. Member has the Government’s assurance that we will not waver
from that view...
(West Ham) (Lab)...The reason I have pushed on that
point today is that so many SDGs will be impacted by climate
change. We will not see resilient food systems or meet our global
goal of ending hunger unless we scale up climate mitigation and
adaptation, and we will not see an end to conflict fuelled by
increasingly scarce water and land resource. We have already seen
the humanitarian catastrophes created by the combination of
climate heating and conflict for vulnerable communities. The
Minister knows that in east Africa, 65 million people face acute
food insecurity. There is terrible hunger already in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia, Afghanistan,
Yemen and Syria, to name but a few. As we speak, huge numbers of
people are at risk of death by dehydration and starvation in Gaza
because of the conflict. To quote my boss, my right hon. Friend
the Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy):
“There will not be a just and lasting peace until Israel is secure,
Palestine is a sovereign state, and both Israelis and
Palestinians enjoy security, dignity and human rights…we will not
surrender the hope of two states living side by side in peace.”
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office ( ):...Before I do that, I am
conscious that this debate takes place against the grim backdrop
of the horrifying attacks against Israel Our
thoughts are with all those who are suffering. Britain
unequivocally backs Israel’s right to defend itself. We are
stepping forward with humanitarian support, working to protect
civilians from harm and striving to keep peace and stability
alive...
(Chelmsford) (Con):...Finally,
I thank the hon. Member for Ealing, Southall (Mr Sharma), not
just for what he said about tuberculosis and malaria but for his
deep concern about what is happening in Gaza and Israel right now. I
should have put that in my opening speech; I apologise. There are
too many wars. There is too much violence. I repeat what I said
on Monday in the House: the terror attacks of 7 October
“rewrote the definition of evil.”
It is right to condemn Hamas, and to stand by Israel in its duty to
defend its citizens, but it is also right
“to be concerned for innocent Palestinians caught in the
crossfire …used as human shields.”[Official Report, 16 October
2023; Vol. 738, c. 43.]
For context, OPEN HERE
Oral answer (Lords)
on Gaza: Post-conflict Reconstruction
Asked by
To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to
coordinate action to rebuild Gaza after the war.
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office () (Con)
My Lords, rebuilding a safe and stable Gaza will be a high
priority for the international community but the United Kingdom’s
immediate focus is on helping to co-ordinate immediate
humanitarian assistance. On Monday, my right honourable friend
the Prime Minister announced an increase of £10 million of
support to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We are working
closely with the UN and partners in the region to ensure that
humanitarian support urgently reaches civilians in Gaza. As the
Prime Minister said, we are stepping forward with humanitarian
support, working to protect civilians from harm and straining
every sinew to keep the flame of peace and stability alive.
(Lab)
My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for that update. I agree
with everything he said and give my whole support to the
Government in their efforts. I declare an interest as a
long-standing member of the Labour Friends of Israel I pray daily
for the safe release of the hostages, as I am sure many others in
the Chamber do, and for an end to the hostilities the Minister
has described.
Looking beyond that, can the Minister confirm that he believes in
the existence of a viable Gaza after we find a peace of some
sort? To secure that peace, does he agree that we must try to
bring into play all possible actors in the region, including some
of those who have hitherto declined to get involved in any
settlement? In that context, does he recall the debate in this
Chamber led by the noble Lord, , on the Abraham accords and
some of the positive ideas suggested in it about how we can
improve the economic circumstances of Gaza and the surrounding
area? In particular, my colleague the noble Lord, Lord Stone,
suggested that there should be a complete change in economic
approach, bringing in the Saudis. As a result, the Saudis—
Noble Lords
Oh!
(Lab)
I know this question is long, but this is very important. The
Saudis responded to the noble Lord’s suggestion, but I found that
the Government have not followed that up. Will the Government
pursue this with the Saudis as a basis on which something might
be built for peace?
(Con)
My Lords, the hostages are a priority. Irrespective of whatever
faith we follow, or no faith, I am sure that all our prayers and
thoughts are with them. We want their safe return and peace and
calm restored. A stable Gaza is in the interests of the whole
region, but it is clear that the leadership of Hamas—if you can
so call this abhorrent terrorist group, which is proscribed in
the United Kingdom—is not the future for Gaza, the Palestinians
or the people of the region. Of course the Abraham accords are
important. We are working with key partners and, as the noble
Lord is aware, my right honourable friends the Prime Minister and
the Foreign Secretary are currently in the region.
(Con)
My Lords, I welcome the Prime Minister’s visit to Israel which is an
important statement. Does my noble friend agree that, before we
can talk about the construction of a new Gaza, there must be a
destruction of all the terror infrastructure underneath Gaza,
which is causing the problem?
(Con)
My Lords, while the situation in Gaza was extremely challenging
prior to this conflict, it is an inescapable truth that Hamas as
an organisation, through what it subscribes to and its actions in
Israel—the killing, murder and maiming of so many, including
innocent women and children—does not represent the interests of
any people who are like-minded about our common humanity. I agree
with my noble friend that Hamas should be something that we talk
about as the past—that it was defeated and the infrastructure was
put to rest—because even now, in the most desperate situation in
which Gazans find themselves, missiles continue to land
in Israel
(CB)
My Lords, does the Minister agree that the first step in
rebuilding Gaza is to stop the US-backed Israeli destruction of
its infrastructure and the merciless killing of its inhabitants,
including the sick in hospitals, in collective punishment for the
sins of Hamas? Does he also agree that the USA, which has given
support to Israel to invade Gaza,
should not only meet the financial costs of reconstruction but
pay reparations to survivors?
(Con)
My Lords, I speak not for the US Government but for the British
Government. However, we both stand by the provision of
humanitarian support around the world—a proud tradition
irrespective of political leadership that continues today for the
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. As I have said, the Prime
Minister has announced additional funding and support. We are
focused on that vital humanitarian support, but I am sure that
the noble Lord recognises that Hamas does not represent the
Palestinian people. This is a very fluid situation. It is time
for calm heads. Everyone was shocked to their core by the
devastation we saw at the Al-Ahli Hospital—I pay particular
tribute to the Lords spiritual for the strong Anglican tradition
associated with that hospital—but we cannot jump to conclusions.
At a time of conflict, we must ensure that there is patience,
resolve and calm before we look at attribution. I assure noble
Lords that the United Kingdom Government, as my right honourable
friends the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have said, are
looking at this very carefully.
(Lab)
My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that a Hamas-free Gaza, if we
can ever get to that point, will provide an enormous opportunity
for the case to be made strongly for a possible Palestinian state
in the West Bank and Gaza? Does he agree that, with Hamas there,
that is impossible?
(Con)
My Lords, I reflected the noble Lord’s sentiments in my earlier
responses. We are engaging with all key partners, including the
Palestinian Authority. Earlier this morning I had a meeting with
Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior member of the Executive of Mr Abbas.
The Prime Minister has engaged directly with President Abbas, I
have spoken to Foreign Minister al-Maliki, and the Foreign
Secretary has been fully engaged. We have done so because the PA
represents those who represent the interests of the Palestinians.
In the future of that region, the rights and protection of all
citizens, irrespective of faith or community, must be upheld. For
the long-term horizon, that means a sustainable, two-state
solution with Israel and Palestine
living side by side in peace. However, at this moment we must
ensure the return of the hostages, that this threat from Hamas is
put to bed and, ultimately, that sustainable peace can be
achieved. We all wish and pray for a future in that region
without Hamas.
(LD)
My Lords, on Tuesday, just hours before the terrible incident at
the hospital to which the Minister referred—I agree with his
remarks about that—an UNRWA school was hit. Fourteen UNRWA staff
have been killed since 7 October and half a million Palestinians
are currently sheltering in UNRWA facilities. I welcome the extra
£10 million to the OPT, but this March I raised concerns that UK
support to UNRWA has been more than halved since 2018, from over
£70 million to £28 million. Does the Minister agree that there is
now an urgent need for the UK fully to replenish our support for
UNRWA, which will save lives?
(Con)
I was at the UN in September. Two countries often come in for
criticism around the protection and defence of Israel—the United
Kingdom and the United States. The biggest new pledge to UNRWA,
of $73 million, came from the United States and the
second-biggest came from the United Kingdom, doubling our support
of £10 million. This new money is in addition to that. I accept
that we have had to make reductions to ODA programmes around the
world, but I am sure the noble Lord accepts that, when it really
matters, it is countries such as the United Kingdom and the
United States that stand up for those people who need the
greatest level of support.
(Lab)
My Lords, the Minister is absolutely right that it has been the
United Kingdom and United States standing up for UNRWA, although
we have had severe cuts there, but the Question is about the
future and how we are working. said yesterday that the
Palestinians are victims of Hamas as well. We must remember that.
How do we ensure that we do not just rely on the United States
but work with countries such as Saudi Arabia so that the proper
funds are put back into Palestine?
(Con)
I agree with the noble Lord, and put on record His Majesty’s
Government’s recognition of the strong support from His Majesty’s
Official Opposition, and indeed all other parties represented
here, in the united voice on this issue. All of us care about
people suffering around the world and the issue of the
Palestinians is no exception. I recognised that engagement in the
meetings I had this morning. Prior to this, as the noble Lord,
Lord Brooke, said in his Question, we were working with key
partners. I was extensively engaged on new memorandums of
understanding that we have signed with Gulf partners on issues of
development. This needs not just the US and the UK. We should get
away from “the East”, “the western world” and the “Islamic
world”. I am a Muslim of the West. Am I conflicted? No, I am not.
I am proud of the traditions of this country—my country—because
we stand up for the people when they need us the most. We are
working with Israel of course we
are a steadfast partner, but we are also working to ensure that
the Palestinians see a future horizon which is bright and in
which they recognise that they can live their lives in peace, in
a sustainable way with their neighbours.
Lords repeat of Commons
statement on Gaza: Al-Ahli Arab Hospital Explosion
The following Answer to an Urgent Question was given in the House
of Commons on Wednesday 18 October.
“The destruction of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza is an
appalling tragedy. A hospital is a place of compassion and care.
This devastating loss of human life is profoundly disturbing. I
am sure that I speak for the whole House when I offer my sincere
condolences to the families of the deceased and to the
injured.
The UK is working intensively with our allies to establish the
facts. We will not rush to judgment. The whole House will
understand that pointing fingers prematurely only fuels regional
instability and upsets community cohesion here in the UK. We need
a firm grasp of what has happened, not a slew of social media
commentary. We all share a duty to be thoughtful and careful in
how we respond to reports emerging from the conflict, which can
be at best incomplete or at worst examples of active
disinformation. We are carefully analysing the evidence that has
been put in the public domain, and other information. As soon as
we have reached a definitive conclusion for ourselves, we will
make it public.
Some things are not in doubt, however. As my right honourable
friend the Prime Minister set out, Hamas carried out a terrorist
assault on Israel that was
unprecedented in that country’s 75-year history. The whole House
is united in support of Israel’s right to defend itself against
terrorism. In defending itself, Israel must act
with professionalism and an unwavering commitment to
international law. States must take every precaution to minimise
civilian casualties and ensure that humanitarian support reaches
those in need. I welcome President Herzog’s unequivocal
commitment—made both directly to me and in
public—that Israel is operating in
accordance with the rules of international law.
By embedding itself in civilian populations, using innocent
Palestinians as human shields, launching thousands of rockets
since Saturday from one of the most crowded places in the world,
and preventing civilians from heeding Israeli warnings about
future areas of operation, Hamas reveals itself and its callous
indifference to human life. In this tense situation, UK diplomacy
is relentlessly focused on our aims: supporting our nationals in
their moment of need, pushing for and delivering humanitarian
support, and working to prevent tensions spilling over into the
wider region or playing out on the streets of this country. I
have travelled to Israel and engaged with
G7 allies and regional partners, and I will visit the region
again later today because we recognise that this will require
intensive effort.
None of us knows how this complex, protracted situation will
develop. The Government are committed to keeping the House
updated. Both here in the UK and in the region, this is a time
for cool heads and determination to make a difference.”
1.33pm
(Lab)
My Lords, as the Minister said earlier, we—the Opposition and the
Government—are at one, united in support of Israel against
terrorism, and we mourn the deaths of Palestinians and Israelis,
and particularly the loss of life at the Al-Ahli Hospital.
President Biden made it clear that he believed the main
achievement of his trip to Israel was to
persuade Israel to allow
humanitarian relief deliveries across the Egypt-Gaza border.
After speaking to Egyptian President al-Sisi, Egypt agreed to
open the Rafah crossing to allow 20 trucks with humanitarian aid
to enter—obviously, a limited number. As President Biden said,
the roads and the infrastructure to get that aid in has been
badly damaged and need repairs. The real issue of the next few
days and weeks is: will aid get through, is fuel getting through,
and is the United Kingdom helping to facilitate that? My specific
question is—I heard what the Minister said earlier today: what
are we doing to support Egypt to get that aid through as well as
support for those people who are in such desperate need of
assistance?
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office () (Con)
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his remarks, which are very
reflective of the contributions of many across this Chamber.
Humanitarian aid getting through to Gaza is a key government
priority and we are working with key partners. President Biden’s
visit recently was very much focused on that, and progress has
been made. As I came into the Chamber I checked again; although
the situation is fluid and the border is not yet open, the noble
Lord is correct that the convoys are ready. We are engaging quite
directly. I mentioned earlier that both my right honourable
friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary are in the
region. The Foreign Secretary was in Egypt this morning and had a
detailed discussion with Foreign Minister Shoukry, who I am also
in touch with, on these very issues and some of our key
priorities, including the hostages and the departure of British
nationals from Gaza. It is also important that we look at the
inward flow of humanitarian support. It is not yet operational
but I assure the noble Lord and indeed all in your Lordships’
House that this is a key government priority, and with the
Foreign Secretary’s meeting today in Egypt we are engaging quite
directly and bilaterally at the highest level in terms of
diplomacy.
(LD)
My Lords, I also welcomed the Minister’s measured tone at
Questions earlier today in the Chamber in response to this truly
terrible incident. There needs to be a proper investigation as to
the source of the tragedy. Does he agree with me, however, that
we need a humanitarian cessation of hostilities to ensure that
life-saving aid, food and water are provided and restored to Gaza
and to allow for intense diplomatic activity to be carried out to
prevent a wider escalation? I am sure that he agrees with that
final element, and I pay tribute to the work that he has been
doing with regional powers. That pause would also allow
continuing support from these Benches and across the House for
Israel’s absolute right to self-defence under international law
against Hamas terrorism and to recover hostages.
(Con)
My Lords, again I thank the noble Lord for his contribution and
for the important message that is going out in our united front,
as well as our united front in recognising the suffering of
ordinary Palestinian civilians in Gaza, made all the worse by
Hamas’s abhorrent actions. I assure him that we are prioritising
that. There are moving parts to it. Yes, there is Egypt
and Israel but a majority
of Gaza is still controlled by Hamas, and that is one of those
areas of concern with regard to the security logistics for those
who will be taking such support through. The other issue, which I
know other noble Lords have been seized of as well, is the
previous diversion of aid and support which has gone into Gaza.
All these factors add to the complications on the ground but it
is important that we look to prioritise humanitarian support,
which we are doing, and we will also focus on ensuring that this
is done in the most secure manner possible.
(Con)
My Lords, I must have been mistaken, but I thought this Question
was about the explosion at the Al-Ahli Hospital. Can the Minister
confirm that the facts that have now come out establish that this
was not an Israeli-induced explosion at all and came from an
internal rocket that failed, according to the current detailed
arguments which been put forward and confirmed? Does he deplore
that the Hamas version of this story, which was that 500 had been
killed by an Israeli rocket, rattled around the world for quite a
long time and was carried, regrettably, by British and American
publications, including the BBC? Is this a matter where some move
could be taken, while these are independent and free press
organs, to encourage organisations such as the BBC News
department to take a more cautiously impartial approach rather
than regarding it as having two sides, between the butchers and
the butchery, and those who suffer and have their throats cut and
killed and those who do the killing? There are not two sides in
this matter: it is bestiality and evil versus the public and
international and world good. Can those sort of views be
gently—perhaps privately—put to those who just seize on the
latest propaganda for Hamas, which is a very evil
organisation?
(Con)
My Lords, my noble friend is correct. We are of course looking at
the tragedy which has befallen the Al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza.
As I said earlier, it is a hospital with strong connections to
the Anglican community and has provided, over many years, an
important service. On the issue of attribution, as my right
honourable friend the Foreign Secretary said yesterday, we are
working with all key partners, as well as internally to make our
own assessment, to establish what happened there. I am not going
to speculate any further at this time: work is under way on
attribution.
The important point within all this is that the people who have
suffered are those who were in the hospital: those who were
seeking urgent assistance and support, and among the most
vulnerable. It is therefore important that, in establishing the
facts, we also do not lose sight of the issue of humanitarian
support, which noble Lords have mentioned. On the wider point of
not jumping to conclusions, my noble friend was himself a
Minister in a distinguished capacity, and one thing you learn
clearly—not just as Ministers but as Governments and
parliamentarians, and even our friends—is that we vitally defend
media freedom in the United Kingdom. It is an important thing
that we lead on. But, in all these areas, responsible reporting
and responsible assessments are important, and that is what the
Government are currently doing.
(CB)
My Lords, further to the question of the noble Lord, , does the Minister
agree that the rapid and largely uninformed responses to this
tragedy underscore the importance of the information war in this
conflict, and that while nothing is likely to move the majority
of public opinion in many Arab countries, nevertheless in the
context of the wider world, it is crucial that credible evidence
on the cause of this disaster is put into the public domain as
soon as possible?
(Con)
I agree with the noble and gallant Lord; that is why my right
honourable friend the Prime Minister said as much yesterday
during Prime Minister’s Questions. As I said, we are assessing
the facts and the noble and gallant Lord will know of the
importance of assessment and evidence. It is right, I believe,
that we take time to ensure that the narrative that prevails is
one which is based on the evidence that we ourselves have
assessed. On wider reporting, I personally think it extremely
tragic that we live in a very information-based world today where
there are many people commenting on every utterance, including
those of government Ministers. I assure the noble and gallant
Lord that while everything which is said is being assessed and
interpreted in a particular way, we want to ensure that, as far
as possible, the facts are established and then, as my right
honourable friend said, we will of course share them.
The Lord
I am grateful to the Minister for highlighting the very real
connections that there are between the Anglican Church and the
hospital. The Al-Ahli hospital is run by the Anglican province of
Jerusalem, as he knows, and built around the sacred and historic
St Philip’s church, which was subject to such an horrendous
incident on Tuesday. We grieve with all those who grieve the
suffering and the innocent deaths in Israel and Gaza arising
from the atrocious attack by Hamas.
The Archbishop of Jerusalem, Archbishop Hosam, called on people
in a press conference yesterday to pray for peace, but also paid
particular tribute to the extraordinary dedication and bravery of
the nurses, doctors and administrators working in the hospital in
such desperate conditions. Can the Government continue to impress
upon the Government of Israel how essential it
is, in particular, that fresh medical supplies reach the
hospitals of Gaza, while also ensuring maximum protection for
those buildings? Does the Minister also agree that such
incidents, whatever the cause or intention, are very detrimental
to the longer-term security and peace that Israel and the
Palestinians deserve, in that they risk perpetuating the cycle of
violence for generations to come? Protecting the hospitals in
Gaza should therefore be a very high priority.
(Con)
I agree with the right reverend Prelate and pay tribute to the
incredible courage and bravery of the doctors and nurses around
the world who play a pivotal role in providing medical support,
often in the most trying of circumstances. That was exactly the
case in the Al-Ahli Arab hospital. I agree also about the
important role that faith has, particularly when we look at the
current situation in Israel and Gaza. I know
Archbishop Hosam very well. We were working directly with many
faith communities prior to this conflict; that will continue to
be the case.
I am also reminded that I have said at the Dispatch Box that I
represent His Majesty’s Government. The head of faith—the head of
the church—and the head of our Government is His Majesty, and I
was very taken by the poignant tone and substance of a speech he
made at Mansion House. He himself said that we are a country
defined by our communities. That is the strength of the rich
diversity in our nation. When something is celebrated in many
parts of the world, including in Israel and by the
Palestinians, we should not forget that this is not just about
Islam and Judaism, as some people claim, since 20% of the Israeli
population are Arab. Many of them are Muslim, yes, but many are
Christian as well. The right reverend Prelate mentioned prayers
for peace, so perhaps we should end with that word: peace;
shalom; salaam.
