Sir (Northampton North) (Con)
Having visited recently, I know that Israel remains in shock
following the rape, murder and butchery carried out by Hamas. All
of us want to see a peaceful and demilitarised Palestinian state.
However, Hamas remain in control in large parts of Gaza, support
for them is growing in the west bank, polls show that nearly two
thirds of Palestinians reject co-existence with Israel and the
Palestinian Authority has continued to promote hatred of Jews.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that any recognition of a
Palestinian state must address these issues and can come about
only as part of a negotiated settlement between Israel and the
Palestinians?
The Prime Minister
The Government’s position is clear. My right hon. and learned
Friend is right that steps and conditions need to be put in place
on this journey: first and foremost, the removal of Hamas from
Gaza; a Palestinian-led Government in Gaza and the west bank; a
concrete plan to reform and support the Palestinian Authority; a
reconstruction plan for Gaza; and a two-state solution, which we
have long supported. Let me be clear: we stand with Israel. The
terrorist threat it faces must be eliminated and Israel’s lasting
security must be guaranteed.
(Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath)
(Alba)
Q6. On 15 November last year, I appealed to the Prime
Minister to choose de-escalation and peace over violence, death
and destruction, but he called me “naive”. So far, over 26,000
souls have perished in Gaza. In a powerful and moving open letter
in Monday’s New York Times, the Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical
Council cited Deuteronomy— “I have put before you life and death,
blessing and curse. Choose life”—and accused President Biden of
choosing death. If the Prime Minister will not listen to me or
the International Court of Justice, will he listen to the
Rabbinical Council, or will he call it “naive” too?
The Prime Minister
I have been clear multiple times that we are deeply concerned
about the impact on the civilian population of the fighting in
Gaza. Too many people have lost their lives and there is a
desperate need for increased humanitarian support in Gaza. I will
not go over all the debates we have had about the conditions that
are necessary for an immediate pause leading to a sustainable
ceasefire, but I assure the House that we are doing everything we
can to get more aid into the region as quickly as possible.
