(Oxford
West and Abingdon) (LD) (Urgent question)
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Affairs if he will make a statement on the violence
in Israel and Palestine.
The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa ()
The recent escalation in violence in Israel and the occupied
Palestinian territories is deeply concerning. It is the worst
violence seen there for several years. As the Prime Minister and
the Foreign Secretary have made clear, this cycle of violence
must stop and every effort must be made to avoid the loss of
life, especially that of children. The UK offers our deepest
condolences to the families of those civilians killed. Civilian
deaths, both in Israel and Gaza, are a tragedy.
We urge all sides to refrain from any kind of provocation so that
calm is restored as quickly as possible. As we enter the final
days of the holy month of Ramadan, restoration of peace and
security is in everyone’s interest. The UK will continue to
support that goal. The UK unequivocally condemns the firing of
rockets at Jerusalem and other locations in Israel. We strongly
condemn these acts of terrorism from Hamas and other terrorist
groups, who must permanently end their incitement and rocket fire
against Israel. There is no justification for any targeting of
civilians. Israel has a legitimate right to self-defence and to
defend its citizens from attack. In doing so, it is vital that
all actions are proportionate, are in line with international
humanitarian law, and make every effort to avoid civilian
casualties. Violence against peaceful worshippers of any faith is
unacceptable. The UK has been clear that the attacks on
worshippers must stop. The status quo in Jerusalem is important
at all times, but especially so during religious festivals such
as Ramadan. Our priority now must be an immediate de-escalation
on all sides and an end to civilian deaths.
As I made clear over the weekend, we are concerned about tensions
in Jerusalem linked to threatened evictions of Palestinian
families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah. That threat is
allayed for now, but we urge Israel to cease such actions, which
in most cases are contrary to international humanitarian law. The
UK continues to support international efforts to reduce the
tension. The Foreign Secretary delivered a message of
de-escalation in a call to the Israeli Foreign Minister yesterday
and will speak to the Palestinian Prime Minister shortly. I have
spoken to the Israeli ambassador and the Palestinian head of
mission in the UK to urge them to de-escalate and to restore
calm. The UK has also engaged at the UN Security Council, calling
for all sides to take measures to reduce further violence and
making clear our deep concern at the violence at the holy sites
in Jerusalem. I am sure that the Security Council will continue
to monitor the situation closely, and it is due to reconvene. UK
embassies throughout the middle east are engaging with regional
partners, and we remain in close contact with the US
Administration and our European allies.
The situation on the ground over the last few days demonstrates
the urgent need to make progress towards peace. The UK remains
committed to a two-state solution as the best way to bring peace
and stability to the region. I repeat: we urge all sides to show
maximum restraint and refrain from taking actions that endanger
civilians and make a sustainable peace more difficult.
Ibrahim al-Masri, 11; Marwan al-Masri, six; Rahaf al-Masri, 10;
and Yazan al-Masri, aged just two—those are some of the names of
the children killed this week, and last night an Israeli child
was added to their numbers. My heart breaks for them, and my
heart bleeds for Palestine, for Jerusalem, the city of my family,
for the worshippers attacked by extremists at the al-Aqsa mosque
on the holiest night of Ramadan and for all innocent civilians,
Israeli and Palestinian.
We cannot allow this to escalate any further. The Israeli
Government pursuing evictions in Sheikh Jarrah that would be
illegal under international humanitarian law, including the
fourth Geneva convention, and the subsequent overly aggressive
reaction of the Israeli authorities, which injured hundreds, has
ignited a tinderbox. Hamas then retaliated, and those strikes
must be condemned too, because violence only begets more
violence. The UN special envoy last night warned that the
situation is
“escalating towards a full-scale war.”
The Minister will know that he does not say such words lightly,
and he refers to not just Israel-Palestine but the entire region.
My questions to the Minister are these. Will the UK back Security
Council resolutions condemning these attacks, regardless of what
the US does? Should that fail, will the Minister work with
international partners such as the European Union to issue a
statement on de-escalation in the strongest possible terms today?
What steps is the UK taking to stop the attempted illegal
evictions in Sheikh Jarrah? Will the Government commit to
supporting a new round of peace negotiations and, indeed, new
elections in Palestine?
Finally, if this is not the time to recognise the state of
Palestine, then when is? The United Kingdom has a historic
responsibility to the people of Palestine and a fundamental
obligation to uphold international law. The two-state solution
promised to the likes of my family is as elusive as ever. It is
time for the Government to not just say but do.
I recognise the passion with which the hon. Lady speaks and her
personal connection to both Jerusalem and the region. I can
assure her that the United Kingdom will work with international
partners, both bilaterally and through multilateral institutions,
to encourage an end to the violence and conflict, which does
nobody any good.
We all mourn; we all feel the deepest sympathy and condolences
for those who have lost children and loved ones, whether they be
in Gaza or in Israel. It is in everybody’s interests to
de-escalate, and we will work with our regional partners, as well
as the leadership of the Palestinian Authority and Israel,
towards de-escalation. The rocket attacks coming from Gaza cannot
be justified, and we call for them to cease immediately as part
of that de-escalation.
(Bracknell) (Con)
Over the past week, Hamas is alleged to have fired over 1,000
rockets at indiscriminate targets inside Israel. By the same
token, Israeli aggression has also escalated. Does my right hon.
Friend agree that we must press in this place for both sides to
return to direct peace talks and that the targeting of civilians,
against international law, is abhorrent?
We have spoken with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to
work with them to de-escalate and bring about peace. My hon.
Friend mentions the avoidance of civilian casualties, and we
press for that as a priority in all instances. We will continue
to work with parties both in the region and in multilateral
forums—with the United States and the European Union perhaps most
closely—to push for peace so that we do not have to hear of any
more fatalities in either Gaza or Israel.
(Caerphilly) (Lab) [V]
Like everyone else in this House, I have been appalled by what we
have seen in Jerusalem, Gaza and Israel. The loss of life has
been terrible, and my heart goes out to the families who have
lost loved ones. The Labour party strongly condemns the
indiscriminate firing of over 1,000 rockets by Hamas, and I also
strongly condemn the Israeli actions that have killed Palestinian
civilians. Israel and the Palestinians generally must do
everything possible to de-escalate the situation, and I would
urge the Government to do all they can to prevent further
conflict. The violence must stop now. Once this terrible violence
has ended, we must ensure that the root causes of the violence
are recognised and addressed. The eviction of Palestinians from
their homes in East Jerusalem must end. International law must be
upheld, and all religious sites must be respected. At the same
time, Britain and the international community must recognise the
commitment to a two-state solution. Will the Government commit to
doing this?
The hon. Gentleman highlights a number of areas where the UK’s
policy is long-standing, particularly with regard to settlements
and evictions, and I have discussed those issues a number of
times from this Dispatch Box. The UK Government will continue to
work towards peace—in the immediate instance to bring about the
end to this particular violence, but in the longer term to secure
meaningful, peaceful and prosperous two states. That remains the
UK’s policy, and we will continue to work to bring that about.
(Gloucester) (Con)
The Minister will know how deeply shocked many of my constituents
in Gloucester and across the land are by the extraordinary images
this week, during Ramadan, of the Israeli defence force
effectively attacking the al-Aqsa mosque, the centre of Islamic
worship in Jerusalem for hundreds of years. Although the rocket
attacks by Hamas from Gaza are completely indefensible, it is
clear that a major cause of the increased discontent is the
number of illegal evictions from Sheikh Jarrah. Will my right
hon. Friend confirm today that the Government will ask Israel to
cease immediately any further illegal evictions from East
Jerusalem and to respect the sanctity of mosques, for without
both of these steps surely an already fragile situation can only
deteriorate further?
On the holy sites in Jerusalem, which is the home of some of the
holiest sites for all three Abrahamic religions, our position is
that the status quo must be maintained and those religious sites
must be respected. Obviously, many people have been very
distressed by the images we have seen from the region. We will
continue to speak directly with our contacts in the Israeli
Government about evictions and settlements. As I say, our
position on that has been long-standing, and I have spoken about
that issue from the Dispatch Box. We call upon Hamas to
immediately cease its indiscriminate rocket attacks into Israel,
and we call upon all actors in this to bring about peace so that
we do not see any more fatalities and casualties.
(Stirling)
(SNP)
I congratulate the hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon
() on
bringing this very urgent issue to the House. The SNP condemns
all violence whoever perpetrates it and whoever it is perpetrated
against. We send our deepest condolences to the innocents who
have been caught up in this dreadful conflict. We are a friend of
Palestine, we are a friend of Israel also, but above all else we
stand four-square behind international law, and it is through
that prism that we need to look at this latest flashover of a
long-simmering injustice.
I have two points for the Minister. I agree with much of the tone
and sentiment of his statement—it is worth stressing the House’s
unity in this—but surely now is the time to recognise Palestine.
That would give an impetus to the two-state solution. Secondly,
settler goods by their very definition are illegal. The UK should
not be trading in them, and if we will not ban them from our
presence, can we not at least label them as such so that
consumers can make a choice?
We do have influence within the state of Israel, which is a
deeply complex place. The Israeli Government are not entirely in
charge of events, and we do have influence. Warm words, however
sincere, will not cut it. Now is the time for action.
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments about the tone of
this debate and I agree with him on that. I understand his point
on the timing of recognition and the long-standing conversations
about goods coming from Israel. While those issues are well
worthy of debate, our priority at the moment is to bring about
peace. We are focused relentlessly on that. That will be the UK
Government’s priority, working with international partners to
bring about a resolution to the current conflict. I am sure we
will have the opportunity to debate wider issues in this place
and others in future.
(Dudley
South) (Con)
Many in Dudley South are shocked at the scenes from the al-Aqsa
mosque and a police response that does not appear to be
proportionate. Does my right hon. Friend agree that a lasting
two-state solution requires both sides to feel secure, and that
means a stop to the stream of rocket attacks from Hamas,
restraint from Israeli forces and the wider population, and a
reconsideration of the evictions and settlements policy by the
Israeli Government and courts?
The policing of Jerusalem and the holy sites within Jerusalem is
always a sensitive issue, particularly during religious festivals
such as Ramadan, and we have called and will continue to call for
restraint in the policing of those areas. As I have said, our
position on settlements and evictions is of long standing, but
ultimately I agree with my hon. Friend that a two-state solution
offers the best chance for sustainable peace in the region, and
we will continue to work towards that.
(Nottingham South) (Lab) [V]
My constituents have watched with growing anxiety, anger and,
frankly, horror the spiralling events in Israel and the Occupied
Palestinian Territories. The threat of forcible evictions and
demolitions, restrictions on Palestinians entering the city of
Jerusalem, and violence against worshippers at the al-Aqsa mosque
have all inflamed tensions, and we now see a terrifying
escalation, with Hamas rocket attacks and Israeli airstrikes
killing and injuring innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians.
Both are unacceptable and both must end, but does the Minister
agree that, if proper accountability and the rule of law had been
followed in the past, we might not be where we are today, and
what steps will he take now to ensure that the Israeli Government
adhere to international law, end the evictions, end the
discriminatory planning laws and end the construction of illegal
settlements?
As I have said, the UK’s position on settlements and evictions is
of long standing. We have communicated that both from the
Dispatch Box and directly with our interlocutors in the Israeli
Government, but ultimately our priority at the moment is to do
everything we can, both bilaterally and through multilateral
institutions, to bring about an end to this conflict so that the
terrible and distressing images that the hon. Member and others
in this Chamber have spoken about come to an end, and then we can
work on a long-term, sustainable, peaceful solution for the
region.
(Reigate)
(Con) [V]
If my right hon. Friend examines his statements today and
compares them with those made by the Foreign Office 25 years ago
in respect of illegal settlements at Har Homa, he will find a
remarkable similarity. What has changed is the end of any hope
for the Oslo peace process, built out of existence by illegal
settlements, and the dominance of factions in both communities of
those least committed to justice, security and reconciliation
between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. When will the United
Kingdom work to achieve real accountability for those breaching
international and humanitarian law, including those
indiscriminately mortaring the innocent, the disproportionate
response by the occupiers to violence by the occupied, and
decades of the violation of the fourth Geneva convention that has
made a practical mockery of the British policy commitment to a
two-state solution?
As I have said, the UK’s position on settlements is of long
standing, it is clear and has been communicated here and
elsewhere. There is no justification for the violence that we are
seeing coming out of Gaza and the targeting of civilians. As I
have said, Israel absolutely has the right to defend itself. We
call on it to act with caution and care in discharging that
defence, but ultimately, we are seeking to bring about a speedy
conclusion to the current violence that we are seeing, and then
we will continue to work—I appreciate that my hon. Friend said
that this has been a long-standing aim, and it has been a
long-standing aim of this and other Governments—to bring about a
peaceful two-state solution so that we have a sustainable,
peaceful resolution in this region.
(Newport East) (Lab)
On behalf of the many constituents of Newport East who have been
in touch with me over the last couple of days expressing their
horror at events and calling for an end to the violence, may I
join others here in asking the Minister to use the considerable
diplomacy of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to
try to bring an end to this humanitarian crisis? The murder and
maiming of children and civilians cannot be the solution to the
ongoing tragedy of this conflict.
I can assure the hon. Lady that we will use our considerable
diplomatic might to work both with the Government in Israel and
in the Occupied Palestinian Territories through the Palestinian
Authority, and with regional partners and through multilateral
forums, to bring about a speedy resolution to this terrible
conflict, which does no good for anyone.
(Henley)
(Con)
I draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of
Members’ Financial Interests. My right hon. Friend the Prime
Minister said:
“Our commitment to Israeli security is unwavering”.—[Official
Report, 16 March 2021; Vol. 691, c. 172.]
Of the thousand rockets that have been fired towards Israel, many
have fallen short and caused damage and death in Gaza. Will the
Minister confirm that we are doing everything possible to support
our close ally against what amount to nothing more than terrorist
groups out to seek Israel’s destruction?
My hon. Friend makes a good point; the rocket attacks by Hamas
from Gaza do harm, not only indirectly but directly, to the
Palestinian people. We call on them to cease immediately. As I
have said, Israel does have the right to defend itself. We urge
it, in doing so, to act with caution and to do everything in its
power to minimise civilian casualties.
(Edinburgh North and Leith) (SNP) [V]
The covid-19 pandemic has hit Palestinian communities
disproportionately hard, but despite Israel’s having the world’s
highest covid-19 vaccination rate, it remains the case that fewer
than 150,000 Palestinians have been vaccinated in the occupied
west bank and Gaza. What are FCDO Ministers and their
representatives there doing to rectify that injustice?
As I have said, our main priority at the moment is the cessation
of the violence that we have all seen. The hon. Lady will know
that the UK has been one of the most generous donors to the COVAX
vaccination programme, which has helped communities across the
globe have a route out of this pandemic through the vaccination
process. We are incredibly proud of the £548 million that we have
contributed to that as well as our technical expertise, and that
will be to the benefit of the Palestinian people and others
around the world.
(Gillingham and Rainham) (Con) [V]
Like all Members of Parliament, I condemn all acts of violence
and the loss of innocent lives. The focus of my question is
freedom of religion or belief for all. Does the Minister agree
that the force used against the worshippers at the al-Aqsa mosque
on the 27th of Ramadan, the night of Laylat al-Qadr, one of the
most important nights in the Islamic calendar, was completely and
utterly unacceptable? In the light of the United Kingdom’s
commitment to human rights and freedom of religion or belief for
all, I know that the Minister has raised these matters with the
Israeli authorities, but can he assure the House that he will
continue to do so, to ensure that all individuals can practise
their faith freely and openly in the holy city of Jerusalem? With
that, will he ensure that freedom of religion or belief and human
rights are put on the G7 presidency agenda later this year?
I thank my hon. Friend and I pay tribute to the work he has done
on freedom of religion or belief. He is right that violence
against worshippers of whatever faith is unacceptable. As I have
said, it is important that policing is particularly sensitive
around religious holy sites in Jerusalem, and particularly so
during religious festivals like the holy month of Ramadan. We
have made that position clear with the Israeli authorities, and
we will continue to make that argument in our bilateral
conversations with them.
(Bradford East) (Lab)
After years of persecution and oppression, indiscriminate
attacks, a brutal siege of Gaza, the expansion of illegal
settlements and the demolition of Palestinian homes, unfair
trials, arbitrary detention and restrictions on the freedom of
movement, and now the attack on worshippers at the al-Aqsa
mosque, tensions in the region are the highest they have ever
been. I join others in condemning the escalation of violence and
the loss of life, yet the silence of the international community
is deafening, even as the Palestinians scream out for help. I
have to ask the Minister: how many times will we come back to
this House to debate the persecution of the Palestinians, and
when will the international community finally wake up?
I do not recognise at all the scenario the hon. Gentleman paints.
This is an issue that I have spoken about from the Dispatch Box.
The Prime Minister has made a statement on this issue. The
Foreign Secretary has made a statement on this issue. We are
speaking with the United Nations Security Council. The United
Nations regularly makes statements on this issue. This is a
terrible situation, no doubt. We are working to bring it to a
conclusion and we will continue to work to bring about a peaceful
two-state solution, so the Israelis and the Palestinians can live
and work side by side in peace. That should be, I am sure, the
goal of everyone in this House and in the wider international
community.
(North West Durham) (Con)
It is clear from voices across the House and internationally that
everyone is incredibly disappointed to see that violence has
broken out in the region once again after the Palestinian
Authority recently resumed co-operation with Israel. Does my
right hon. Friend agree that continuing down the path of
normalisation, rather than that of violence and escalation as we
have seen recently, is the only way to secure long-term peace for
the region? Will the UK Government continue to support that end?
My hon. Friend makes a very important point. The UK Government,
at both ministerial and official level, encourage greater
co-operation between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli
Government. I spoke to representatives of both yesterday. I am
sure I will have further such conversations in the future. We
will always support closer working between the Palestinian
Authority and the Government of Israel as part of their route
towards a sustainable two-state solution.
(Hammersmith) (Lab) [V]
If the Foreign Secretary will take action on ethnic cleansing in
Xinjiang, why not in Sheikh Jarrah? If the UK Government will
impose sanctions for the occupation of Crimea, why do they allow
trade with illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories? The Minister rightly condemns the killing of
children in Gaza and Israel. Does he recognise that these war
crimes spring from an unlawful occupation, and will he now give
his full support to the investigation of the International
Criminal Court?
I do not think it is at all helpful to try to imply there is a
commonality between the examples he gave and the situation we see
in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The hon.
Gentleman will know that where we have criticism of the Israeli
Government, we have a strong enough relationship that we are able
to air those criticisms, whether from the Dispatch Box here or in
our bilateral conversations. We will continue to work towards a
sustainable, peaceful two-state solution. That remains the UK
Government’s goal and that will be our focus once we have helped
to bring this current conflict to a conclusion.
(Burnley) (Con)
In the last few days, I have been contacted by hundreds of
constituents who are concerned by the proposed evictions in
Sheikh Jarrah, the activities outside the al-Aqsa mosque and the
events that we have seen in the last 36 hours. Will the Minister
reassure them, me and the whole House that the Government will
use the full power of their diplomatic network to de-escalate the
immediate issue and then bring both sides back to peace talks,
because that is the only way that we can prevent events like this
happening again?
The al-Aqsa mosque is one of the most holy sites in Islam, and
Jerusalem has the privilege of being the home of a number of the
holiest sites in the Abrahamic religions. Therefore, the policing
of Jerusalem needs at all times to be sensitive, as I say,
particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. I assure my hon.
Friend and others that the UK Government will work tirelessly to
bring about a conclusion to this, so that we no longer have to
see the distressing images that we have seen in Jerusalem and
other parts of Israel, and that we no longer have to hear about
fatalities.
(Sunderland Central) (Lab)
Like other, I condemn the violence, wherever it comes from, and
feel very strongly that those responsible for that violence
should be held to account. The Minister spoke about bringing an
end to hostilities. There have been four wars in Gaza since 2000
and no one has been held to account from any side, so bringing an
end to the current hostilities is not enough. The underlying
problem of nobody being held to account, the demolition orders in
Sheikh Jarrah—these are only the tip of the iceberg. The status
quo is not really the status quo. According to the UN, a third of
Palestinian homes are probably under threat of demolition orders
in the Jerusalem area. These issues need addressing before we can
move to a two-state solution. Does the Minister agree that those
engaged in violence from any side should know that there will be
a day of reckoning and consequences for their actions? What will
the British Government do, in line with the international
community, to ensure that this happens?
The hon. Lady is right that we should focus on bringing about a
speedy resolution to the conflict. As I said, the rocket attacks
from Gaza are unacceptable, unjustified and completely
illegitimate. Israel does have a right to defend itself and we
have made it clear that, in doing so, it must abide by
international humanitarian law and make every effort to minimise
civilian casualties. Ultimately, the two-state solution is, in
our assessment, the best way of bringing about lasting peace for
the people of the region, and that will continue to be a priority
area for UK foreign policy in the region.
(Stoke-on-Trent South) (Con)
It is deeply upsetting that we are again witnessing such violence
and division, especially when the Abraham accords signed between
Israel and gulf partners last year showed that peace is
achievable. What discussions have my right hon. Friend and the
Foreign Secretary had with Israeli and Gulf counterparts on how
the current tensions can be de-escalated?
As I say, the Foreign Secretary has spoken with his Israeli
counterpart and will shortly be speaking with the Palestinian
Prime Minister, among other calls that Ministers and senior
officials have been making and will continue to make. We will use
our significant diplomatic strength to be a passionate and
powerful voice for de-escalation and peace, and I am sure that
many others in the international community will join us in doing
so.
(Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab) [V]
The human misery on display in East Jerusalem, Gaza and Israeli
cities is on show for the entire international community to bear
witness to as the violence escalates. I join hon. Members on both
sides of the House in condemning the violence on both sides.
Sometimes the most difficult conversations are required with our
allies, so what is the British Government’s position on forced
evictions and displacement of Palestinian families in East
Jerusalem, and has the position been relayed to the Israeli
Government? Does the Minister believe that Mr Netanyahu’s
Government are sincerely committed to a viable, two-state
solution, given the plan previously cooked up with President
Biden’s predecessor?
The UK Government’s position on settlements and evictions is
long-standing and has been communicated a number of times at the
Dispatch Box, both today and on previous occasions. We do, of
course, outline directly to the Israeli Government our position
on such matters, and also do so from the Dispatch Box. We will
work with the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority,
and their regional friends and neighbours, to work towards a
sustainable two-state solution, which remains a priority UK
foreign policy.
(Loughborough) (Con) [V]
Many of my constituents have contacted me about the recent
reports from Jerusalem, and I share their concerns about the
ongoing violence and unrest. I therefore welcome the Government’s
strong call for calm and de-escalation. Does my right hon. Friend
agree that this violence is completely unacceptable and that all
sides must now come together to de-escalate tensions and achieve
a peaceful resolution?
My hon. Friend makes a good point. Ultimately, peace has to be
something that is delivered by both sides, and we call upon
everybody to step back from the situation and not allow it to
escalate further, and indeed to de-escalate so that we can see an
end to this conflict. We will work tirelessly to achieve that,
both bilaterally and through multilateral forums.
(Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)
The Government’s response to this and every other episode in
Palestine is completely inadequate. The Palestinians have lived
under brutal oppression and apartheid from Israel with the tacit
consent of the west for too long, and we have heard the “plague
on both your houses” song too many times. Of course we must
condemn all violence on both sides, so in that spirit can the
Minister tell me whether he thinks it appropriate that the UK
grants arms licences that see UK weapons being used in these
indiscriminate Israeli attacks on civilians, including children?
The Government take their arms export responsibilities very
seriously, and we aim to operate one of the most robust arms
export licences in the world. We consider all our export
applications against a strict risk assessment framework and keep
all licences under careful and continual review as standard.
(South West Bedfordshire) (Con) [V]
While there is never any excuse for firing rockets on civilians,
would not the Israelis sleep more soundly at night if access to
all the holy sites was maintained as agreed in 1967, if free
Palestinian elections were allowed in East Jerusalem, and if
Palestinians were not being evicted from their homes in
Jerusalem?
As I have said, the UK’s position on evictions is well known. It
is incredibly important that worshippers have access to those
very holy sites in Jerusalem. We have been supportive of
Palestinian Authority elections and we pushed for them to go
ahead, including in East Jerusalem.
(Lewisham East) (Lab) [V]
What we are seeing in the news is absolutely horrific. Many
constituents have contacted me in the last few days about the
violence against worshippers during Ramadan, as well as about the
evictions in Sheikh Jarrah. Airstrikes on both sides must
absolutely end, and I condemn this violence. As the occupying
power, the Israeli Government have legal obligations that they
are not meeting. What are the UK Government doing to ensure that
Israel adheres to international law?
The hon. Lady is right to say that violence against peaceful
worshippers of any faith is unacceptable, and as I have said, we
condemn the rocket attacks from Gaza. We will continue to be a
voice for calm and peace in the region and to work with
international partners. At times, that includes having difficult
conversations with some of our friends in the region, but we are
unafraid of doing so when necessary.
(Preseli
Pembrokeshire) (Con)
The violence and the loss of life is tragic, and it needs to
stop, but is it not the case that, right under the noses of the
international community, Hamas has been allowed to build a
terrorist city state in Gaza? It has diverted humanitarian
resources into stockpiling missiles behind civilian buildings.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is wrong to draw some
kind of phoney equivalence between the actions and the aggression
of terrorists and the sovereign right of a legitimate democratic
Government to defend their citizens? I would not expect the
Minister at the Dispatch Box, or anybody else in our Government,
to do anything other than what the Israeli Government are doing
to defend their citizens.
My right hon. Friend makes an important point. The military wing
of Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation, and we have a
policy of no contact with Hamas in its entirety. We completely
condemn the rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel, and they are
the actions of a terrorist organisation. As I said, Israel has
the right to defend itself, but we have said—I have said this at
the Dispatch Box and directly to representatives of the Israeli
Government—that, in doing so, it must abide by international
humanitarian law and must do everything it can to minimise
civilian casualties.
(Bolton South East) (Lab) [V]
The extent of the expansion of illegal settlements in East
Jerusalem, the forced eviction of Palestinian families from their
homes in Sheikh Jarrah, the brutality against worshippers at the
third most holy site in Islam and during Ramadan—this is not a
clash between two equal sides. Until we discuss the root issue,
we will miss the entire context and fail to recognise that one
side is an occupier and the other side is occupied.
Will the Minister demand that the Israelis end all the
discriminatory and illegal practices that have actually provoked
these current tensions? What specifically will he do to ensure
accountability for violations of international law, which have
been going on for the past 50 years?
As I say, the UK’s position on the settlements and evictions is
clear. I have spoken about it from this Dispatch Box today and in
the past, and we have also had that conversation directly with
the Israeli Government. However, there is no legitimacy and no
justification for indiscriminate rocket attacks from Gaza into
Israel.
(Aylesbury) (Con)
Members of the Muslim community in Aylesbury are extremely
distressed by recent events in East Jerusalem, describing this as
a moment of deep anguish and sorrow. They want an immediate end
to the eviction of Palestinians from their homes, as well as
immediate and concrete progress towards a two-state solution.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that that is, in fact, the only
way to deliver Palestinian self-determination, to permanently end
the Arab-Israeli conflict and to preserve Israel’s Jewish and
democratic identity and, therefore, that his Department remains
committed to achieving a solution based on 1967 borders, with
agreed land swaps?
I think that Members in every part of this House, and our
constituents, will have been deeply distressed by the images we
have seen from some of the most holy sites not only in Islam but
in Christianity and Judaism. It is in everybody’s interest to
de-escalate, to bring this current period of violence to a
conclusion and, as my hon. Friend says, to work towards the
long-standing UK Government position of a peaceful, two-state
solution based on the lines, with agreed land swaps, through a
political process.
(Wycombe) (Con) [V]
Given how hard and fast this conflict has escalated, and as we
approach Eid, what will the Government do specifically to
encourage Israel to guarantee freedom of worship for Muslims at
the al-Aqsa mosque?
My hon. Friend makes an incredibly important point about the
importance, during this holy month of Ramadan, of worshippers
having access to one of the most holy sites in Islam, which is
something we have communicated to the Israeli Government. We will
continue to work towards de-escalation, particularly at this most
sensitive and religious time, and it is a conversation we have
had recently, and we will continue to have, both at ministerial
level and at senior official level.
(North Antrim)
(DUP)
In 2018, I stood in Mefalsim, in the Southern District of Israel,
just on the edge of the Gaza strip, and held in my hands the
remains of a Hamas-engineered rocket that had been fired into a
playground of schoolchildren with one intention only: to murder
mothers and children who were doing what we have the freedom in
this nation to do, which is raise our kids in peace.
No right-thinking person could not be heartbroken by the horror
in the holy land they see on our television screens. However, is
it not the case that Hamas will not negotiate with Israel because
it wants to murder Israelis and to obliterate the state of Israel
off the map of the world? That is Hamas’s stated objective and
position. The Palestinian people need to free themselves from
being used as human shields by a terrorist and political
organisation that wishes to continue to launch rocket attacks
into Israel. I urge the Minister to do everything in his power to
persuade the Palestinian people to free themselves from the grip
of Hamas.
The rocket attacks by Hamas, whose military wing has, as I say,
been proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK Government,
are completely counterproductive to the effort for peace and do
harm to the Palestinian people. On behalf of moves towards peace,
we urge Hamas to cease these actions, because they are completely
counterproductive to peace and completely against the interests
of the Palestinian people, in Gaza and elsewhere.
(Wakefield) (Con)
I am deeply concerned by the escalating tension between Israel
and Palestine, and we all here condemn the violence against
civilians, on both sides, be that the murderous missile attacks
or the misguided attempted eviction of Palestinian residents in
Sheikh Jarrah.
Given that the missile technology employed in attacking Israeli
heartlands could have come only from Iran, does my right hon.
Friend agree that now is not the time to do a deal with Iran that
rewards it for instigating further instability in the region, as
well as violating the JCPOA—joint comprehensive plan of
action—nuclear commitments and its obligations under the
non-proliferation treaty? Is this not another reminder, were one
needed, that we must not appease this dangerous regime?
I am not able to speak on the point my hon. Friend has made about
the potential relationship between Iran and Hamas at this point.
As I have said, we are working to de-escalate the situation and
bring about peace. More broadly, we are seeking to bring greater
stability to the region and to dissuade Iran from its
destabilising actions within the region. That will continue to be
a priority piece of work for Her Majesty’s Government.
(Bury
South) (Con)
The events in Jerusalem have triggered emotive responses here in
the UK, and we need only look at the protests last night to see
that. My constituents and others have seen in the past that, when
conflict erupts in the middle east, the UK Jewish community is
targeted by those wishing to import this complex situation on to
our streets and university campuses, and online. What does my
right hon. Friend say to those who seek divisions between
communities here in the UK? Will he join me in thanking the
Community Security Trust for all the work it is doing to keep the
Jewish community safe?
Antisemitic acts and violence against the Jewish community,
wherever they may be, are unacceptable. I pay tribute to the CST
and others who seek to keep communities safe. In the UK we enjoy,
for the most part, very good community relations. We should be
proud of that and seek to reinforce it. It is important for us to
demonstrate that we are good friends with Israel and with the
Palestinian people, and that we are seeking a peaceful two-state
solution that can see people of all faiths enjoying the peace and
security they deserve.
