Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether his Department plans to (a) support the request for preventative measures and (b) otherwise participate in the case against Israel at the international court of justice brought by the Republic of South Africa.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
This development is unhelpful and we do not support it. We recognise that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. We do not believe that calling this genocide is the right approach. It is wrong to say that Israeli leadership, and Israel as a country, have the intention to commit genocide. Ultimately, it is for courts to decide on matters of genocide, not for states. We of course respect the role and independence of the International Court of Justice.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the (a) reported Israeli settler violence and intimidation against the Armenian community of Jerusalem and (b) attempted takeover of the Cows Garden plot in the Armenian Quarter of Old Jerusalem by Israeli settler organisations linked with Xana Capital.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The UK is monitoring the situation in the Cow Garden site of the Armenian Quarter of Old Jerusalem and are clear on the need to avoid any further rise in tensions. The British Consulate Jerusalem will be meeting representatives on this issue in the coming week. The UK's position on the status of Jerusalem is clear and long-standing: it should be determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and Jerusalem should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states. The UK is a strong believer in the need to preserve Jerusalem's strong multi-ethnic, multi-faith character. The UK is also a strong supporter of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and an advocate for the integrity of cultural important areas to be respected. The UK continues to take a strong stance against settler violence, and urges Israel to take stronger action to stop settler violence and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the attempted Israeli settler takeover of the Cows Garden plot in the Armenian Quarter of Old Jerusalem; and whether representatives from the British Embassy plan to visit the Armenian community in the near future.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The UK is monitoring the situation in the Cow Garden site of the Armenian Quarter of Old Jerusalem and are clear on the need to avoid any further rise in tensions. The British Consulate Jerusalem will be meeting representatives on this issue in the coming week. The UK's position on the status of Jerusalem is clear and long-standing: it should be determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and Jerusalem should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states. The UK is a strong believer in the need to preserve Jerusalem's strong multi-ethnic, multi-faith character. The UK is also a strong supporter of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and an advocate for the integrity of cultural important areas to be respected. The UK continues to take a strong stance against settler violence, and urges Israel to take stronger action to stop settler violence and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has had recent discussions with his Israeli counterpart on Israel's obligations under the Genocide Convention including the duties in relation to incitement in the context of the war in Gaza.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
UK ministers, including the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, maintain a regular dialogue with Israeli counterparts on a range of issues relating to the conflict including adherence to International Humanitarian Law. The Government continues to press Israel on the need to ensure its campaign is targeted against Hamas fighters and military objectives and its actions are in-line with IHL. The Government has also made clear that the Israeli Government must investigate war crimes allegedly committed by their nationals or armed forces.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Israeli counterpart on ending the blockade of Gaza in compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1860 (2009).
Answered by Amanda Milling
I [Minister Milling] recently visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) where I saw first-hand the challenges of the prolonged conflict and the impact of the occupation. I reiterated UK support for a two-state solution and the need to improve conditions for ordinary Palestinians in my meetings with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Roll, and with the Palestinian leadership, including Prime Minister Shtayyeh. The UK continues to urge the parties to prioritise progress towards reaching a durable solution for Gaza and to take the necessary practical steps to ensure Gaza's reconstruction and economic recovery. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue on legal issues relating to the occupation, including the treatment of Palestinian children.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help tackle the impact of the humanitarian situation in Gaza on children.
Answered by Amanda Milling
I [Minister Milling] recently visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) where I saw first-hand the challenges of the prolonged conflict and the impact of the occupation. I reiterated UK support for a two-state solution and the need to improve conditions for ordinary Palestinians in my meetings with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Roll, and with the Palestinian leadership, including Prime Minister Shtayyeh. The UK continues to urge the parties to prioritise progress towards reaching a durable solution for Gaza and to take the necessary practical steps to ensure Gaza's reconstruction and economic recovery. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue on legal issues relating to the occupation, including the treatment of Palestinian children.