Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding reports of Israeli authorities not intervening when Mr Ali Hasan Harb was attacked in the West Bank by an Israeli settler.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of this case and are monitoring closely. The UK regularly raises the issue of settler violence with the Government of Israel. We welcome discussion by the Israeli authorities on how to address this issue, and urge Israel to bring those responsible to justice. We continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning the conviction of Mohammad El Halabi, a former head of World Vision's Gaza office, by an Israeli court of financing terrorism; and whether they share the concerns of the UN Human Rights Office about the court's reliance on secret evidence for their verdict.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of the verdict on this case and are monitoring closely. During her visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestine Territories in June 2022 the Minister for the Middle East, Amanda Milling, met with human rights defenders, journalists and civil society organisations to discuss the pressures they face. The Minister emphasised the UK's strong support for freedom of speech and media freedom. We continue to value the important role civil society plays in upholding human rights and democracy.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the UN Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry report on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, published on 9 May; and in particular, the findings that Israel (1) has "no intention of ending the occupation", (2) is pursuing "complete control" over the Occupied Palestinian Territory, (3) needs to end the occupation, and (4) needs to ensure equal human rights for Palestinians.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of the UN Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry report on 9 May. The UK is committed to making progress towards a two-state solution. We firmly believe a just and lasting resolution that ends the occupation and delivers peace for both Israelis and Palestinians is long overdue. We will continue to press Israel and the Palestinians strongly on the need to refrain from taking actions, which make peace more difficult.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reports that the bombing of Damascus International airport was directed by the government of Israel; and what representations, if any, they plan to make to the government of Israel about the incident.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
All countries, including Israel, have a legitimate right to self-defence, and the right to defend their citizens from attack. In doing so, it is vital that all actions are proportionate, in line with International Humanitarian Law, and are calibrated to avoid civilian casualties. We call on Israel to adhere to the principles of necessity and proportionality when defending its legitimate security interest.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the right to freedom of expression concerning flags in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We continue to reiterate the importance of all forms of freedom of expression and free speech to both the Government of Israel and Palestinian Authority. We continue to appreciate the vital work that human rights defenders and civil society play in holding the authorities to account.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that an Israeli airstrike on an agrochemical warehouse in Gaza in May 2021 constituted the use of chemical weapons.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We recognise Israel's legitimate need to deploy security measures and we encourage them to deploy these in a way that minimises tension and uses appropriate force. We call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation.Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of plans to build a new Jewish housing development in the Old City of Hebron on the prospects of a two-state solution in the region.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the physical viability of the two-state solution. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of new Israeli travel entry requirements for the West Bank which came into force on 22 May which were reported to place additional restrictions and surveillance on visitors to those areas, except for those visiting Israeli settlements.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are monitoring this issue closely and engaging the Israeli Authorities to understand their application and potential implications. As a friend of Israel, we have a regular dialogue on human rights. We continue to stress to the Israeli authorities the damage that their restrictions on movement, access and trade are doing to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the presence of armed Israeli forces at St Joseph's hospital on 13 May, (2) the actions of the Israeli forces towards attendees of the funeral of Shireen Abu Aqleh, and (3) the confiscation of Palestinian flags by Israeli forces at the funeral.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
During a call with the Israeli Ambassador on 19 May, Minister Milling made clear the UK's sadness at the recent death of Shireen Abu Aqleh and the deeply disturbing scenes at her funeral in Jerusalem. She urged a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the events. The UK Ambassador to Israel has reiterated the importance of an investigation with the Israeli authorities. We call for urgent steps to de-escalate tensions and for restraint in the use of force. The safety of journalists across the globe is vital and they must be protected when carrying out their critical work.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the government of Israel plans to expel over 1,000 Palestinians from their villages in Masafer Yatta.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions and evictions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. Our opposition to the demolition of Palestinian property and the evictions of Palestinians from their homes is long-standing. We call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation.