Extracts from Lords
debate on Western Balkans: Dayton Peace Agreement
(Con):...This debate comes
at a time of global insecurity: from Ukraine to Sudan, from
Kosovo to Nagorno-Karabakh, from Israel and
Gaza to the Sahel and the South China Sea, frozen
conflicts are all heating up. Collectively we bear some
responsibility. We are often too ready to believe that the
conflicts will go away, will sort themselves out, that they do
not concern us. The tragic situation in Israel
and Gaza reminds us that that is not the case; foreign
conflicts can quickly become domestic issues. But it is my
hope—even though peace and security are based not on hope but on
realities on the ground—that as frozen conflicts are reignited
one by one, the western Balkans will avoid that fate...
(LD):...Of course, in truth,
you must be careful about the form of your leadership. However,
no progress is possible in such contexts without real leadership,
courageous leadership and leadership that will undoubtedly be
criticised by some who do not want to see it happening. One of
the great dangers of the current crisis-ridden
agenda—Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Gaza, China-Taiwan
and so much more—is that it is a challenge for the western
Balkans to retain European attention, never mind European
leadership. It is crucial that we do not allow other pressures to
obscure our view of what is happening in the western Balkans and
that there is real leadership from outside, as well as hoping for
leadership from inside...
(Con):...Next Tuesday, your
Lordships’ House will be full. There will be a debate on the
ghastly event that took place in Israel just
a little over a week ago. People will quite rightly condemn
Hamas, as it is responsible for every spot of blood that has been
shed in these awful last two weeks...
(Lab): My Lords, the
tragic events in Israel and
Gaza, consequent on the Palestinian terrorist group
Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel are,
sadly, an appropriately sobering backdrop against which to debate
this Question before your Lordships’ House.
Before getting into the substance of my remarks, I pay tribute to
the noble Baroness, Lady Helic, whose commitment and depth of
expertise both found expression in her characteristically
forensic opening speech. I thank her for securing this important
and timely—nay, urgent—debate.
I say that the events in the Middle East are an appropriate
backdrop because the reaction in Bosnia and Herzegovina to those
dreadful events has served to further exemplify the fragility of
its own peace. In the city of Mostar, the Palestinian flag is
raised above the Old Bridge in the predominantly Bosniak eastern
section of the city, while support for Israel is
increasingly vociferous in the western, predominantly Croatian,
side. The chairwoman of the Council of Ministers, who
unequivocally condemned Hamas violence, was publicly rebuked by
the chairman of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s tripartite presidency
for “carelessly” and “selfishly” failing to explain the
historical suffering which, in his view, partially justified the
actions of Hamas. These are senior members of a single, fragile
polity...
For context, OPEN HERE
Extracts from
Westminster Hall debate on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene:
Sustainable Development
(Glasgow North) (SNP):...I
do not think we can allow the debate to conclude without
addressing the question of access to water in Israel and
Palestine—as the Chair of the International Development Committee
did—and particularly at this moment in Gaza. Denying people
access to water is a fundamental breach of their human rights.
Cutting off water supplies to hospitals in Gaza will condemn to
death innocent people who have nothing to do with the terrorist
atrocities perpetrated by Hamas. The Government of Israel must
not use the denial of civilian access to water as part of siege
or any other military tactics. I hope that the Minister will echo
that statement...
(Hendon) (Con):...The hon.
Member makes a very good point about Gaza. It is certainly
something that I will take on board. I think the
Israelis should allow access to water. I defend
them for not allowing access to other things, but I think that
they should allow access to water. But I gently remind him that
the EU did spend €100 million on putting 30 miles of water pipes
into Gaza, and Hamas decided to remove those water pipes because
they felt that they could make rockets out of those. I would
certainly condemn that action...
For context, OPEN HERE
