Extract from
PMQs
(York Central)
(Lab/Co-op): One hundred and fifty eight days, and there is no
peace and no justice. There is no food, no clean water, no
sanitation and no medical aid. There are just no words left, as
disease is spreading and the death toll is rising, not least
among children—the victims of these atrocities. It is evident
that the Prime Minister’s plan is not working, so will he change
track for the sake of these children and so many more, and work
to secure a bilateral, immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas?
The Prime Minister: I have said repeatedly that we are incredibly
concerned about the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Too many
civilians have lost their lives, and nowhere near enough aid is
getting through. In contrast to what the hon. Lady said, actually
the UK is playing a leading role in alleviating that suffering.
Just recently, we increased the amount of aid this year to £100
million. Just today, 150 tonnes of UK aid is due to arrive in
Gaza, and a full field hospital, flown from Manchester to the
middle east last week, will arrive in Gaza in the coming days,
staffed by UK and local medics to provide lifesaving care. We are
doing absolutely everything we can, working with our allies, to
bring much-needed aid to the people of Gaza.
Extract from oral
answer (Lords) on Scottish Government: Devolved
Competences
(Non-Afl): My Lords,
the UK Government suspended payments to UNRWA following the
shocking news that its staff had been involved in the kidnap and
murder of Israeli civilians on 7 October. How can it therefore be
right that the First Minister of Scotland undermines UK foreign
policy by restoring those payments? What are the Government going
to do about it?
The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Baroness Neville- Rolfe)
(Con): I hear what the noble Lord says, but these are matters for
the Scottish Government to answer. No doubt Scottish taxpayers
will reflect on whether the donation to UNRWA was justified.
Extract from report
stage (day 2) of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers
Bill
(Con):...Turning to the
Telegraph, we should acknowledge that, since 7 October, that
newspaper has boldly championed the right of Israel to
defend itself against Islamic terrorism. Importantly, every week
the Telegraph has criticised the pro-Palestinian parades through
London for their anti-Semitism. The idea that an Arab owner—any
Arab owner—of the Telegraph or any other newspaper would allow
its editor to support Israel and criticise
pro-Palestinian anti-Semites is an absurd notion.
I go even further: perhaps one reason why a foreign Government
would want to buy an important newspaper such as the Telegraph
would be to promote an anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian point of
view. Once that foreign Government owned the newspaper, there
would nothing anyone could do to prevent their interference. We
want a free press, not a major newspaper controlled by an
undemocratic Arab state.
