Extract from Women and
Equalities questions: Gender-based Violence: Hamas
(Harrow East) (Con): If she will have discussions
with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Affairs on the Government’s response to reports of
gender-based violence by Hamas since 7 October 2023.
The Minister for Women and Equalities (): It is crucial that the
international community recognises the atrocities committed by
Hamas, and that Hamas are held to account for their barbarism.
That is why we are engaging with partners, including the UN, to
ensure that perpetrators are held to account for their
depravity.
The UK remains a global leader in eradicating sex-based violence.
Our preventing sexual violence in conflict initiative has £60
million in funding to combat conflict-related sexual violence and
ensure that survivors access redress and support. On 28 November,
we announced a further £33 million to support grassroots women’s
rights organisations tackling sex-based violence.
: I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer.
Hostages who have been released have reported Hamas atrocities,
such as being subjected to physical and sexual violence in
captivity. The Israeli health service also reports that hostages
have been drugged to make them look happy on videos. Will my
right hon. Friend join me in condemning Hamas for doing that and
in demanding that the International Committee of the Red Cross
has access to every single one of the hostages immediately?
: I share my hon. Friend’s
horror. It is extremely distressing to hear all those reports,
and I do unequivocally condemn the sexual violence that is being
reported. We continue to engage regularly with partners,
including the UN. I will pick up the points that he raised
directly with the Foreign Office to see whether we can do what he
asks. It does sound like something that needs the involvement of
the Red Cross, but we will make sure that we co-ordinate across
Government for a dedicated response on this issue.
(Washington and Sunderland
West) (Lab): Will the UK use its seat on the UN Human Rights
Council to raise the use of gender-based violence on 7 October,
and to secure a clear condemnation from its members of the rape,
murder and torture perpetrated against women by Hamas on 7
October?
: I thank the hon. Lady for
her question. Yes, we will. We have raised the reports of sexual
violence attacks on 7 October with UN Women and with the Office
of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual
Violence in Conflict. I will make sure that we continue to do
this and to impress upon international organisations that the
whole world needs to respond to this.
Extracts from
PMQs
(Aberdeen South) (SNP): Will
the Prime Minister please share his Christmas message for
children being bombed in Gaza this winter?
The Prime Minister: Nobody wants to see this conflict go on for a
moment longer than necessary. We urgently need more humanitarian
pauses to get all the hostages out, and to get life-saving aid
into Gaza to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
We have been consistent in supporting a sustainable ceasefire,
which means that Hamas must stop launching rockets into Israel and release all
the hostages.
: If the current actions of
the Israeli Government continue, it is estimated that almost
1,400 more children will die between now and Christmas day. In
the United Nations last night, our friends and allies in France,
Ireland, Canada, Spain and Australia joined 148 other nations to
vote with courage, care and compassion for a ceasefire. The UK
shamefully abstained. How can the Prime Minister possibly explain
why 153 nations are wrong, yet Westminster is right?
The Prime Minister: As I have said consistently, we are deeply
concerned about the devastating impact of the fighting in Gaza on
the civilian population. Too many people have lost their lives
already. That is something that we have stressed, and something
that I stressed personally to Prime Minister Netanyahu just last
week. What we are doing practically is to get more aid into Gaza,
and the Foreign Secretary is appointing a UK humanitarian
co-ordinator. In my conversations last week with Prime Minister
Netanyahu, I pressed him on opening up the Kerem Shalom crossing
so that more aid can flow in, and we are actively exploring the
opportunity for maritime corridors, something on which the UK is
well placed to lead. I can give the hon. Gentleman my assurance
that we will work night and day to get more aid to those who
desperately need it.
(Chipping Barnet) (Con):
Given the appalling reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas
on 7 October and the risk that hostages could have that treatment
inflicted on them as well, will the Prime Minister raise this
issue in international forums so that the international community
demands, strongly, humanitarian access to hostages in Gaza?
The Prime Minister: The reports of sexual violence perpetrated by
Hamas are deeply shocking. We have raised our concerns with the
United Nations a fortnight or so ago, and we are engaging with
the Israeli Government to consider what further support we can
provide. More broadly, we continue to do everything we can to
ensure that all hostages can return safely to their families,
including the British hostages and those with links to the UK. My
right hon. Friend can rest assured that the Foreign Secretary and
I are working tirelessly to bring about their safe return.
