Gaza: UN Commission of Inquiry Report

Baroness Helic Excerpts

Thursday 18th September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

The legal test must be heard by a court. I understand that this report can be considered by the ICJ as part of its deliberations, and to that extent I think it is helpful. Whether or not you agree with every word of the report and with its findings, or however you view the wording of that report, it is absolutely clear—and you cannot read it without being horrified—that what is happening in Gaza is horrific and it should stop. It can be stopped, and the fact that it is not being stopped is a political decision by the Government of Israel. To that extent, I think we can all read it and come to a shared conclusion that what is needed is negotiation—and peace.

[Baroness Helic (Con)]

My Lords—

[Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, we will hear from the Conservative Benches next and then the Liberal Democrat Benches.

[Baroness Helic (Con)]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her further explanation and updating of what she said yesterday about how it is not for politicians to determine whether there is a genocide or not—I fully agree with that principle. However, I am slightly confused, because only two weeks ago the Foreign Secretary wrote a letter to the International Development Committee and said that the Government have concluded that Israel is acting without intent to commit genocide. Surely, if the Foreign Secretary could assert that there was no genocide, he was making a political determination. On what basis has that conclusion been reached, and why is it acceptable to rule out genocide but not to affirm it?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

The noble Baroness needs to read the letter in full. The letter was in response to an inquiry by the IDC, I think, on the issue of F35s. It is not for this Government to determine genocide. We have never determined genocide. There is one occasion when we have determined genocide, and that was the Holocaust, and that happened before there was a court that had the competency to do so. We have never done it since. It is right that we do not, and I think it would be a very dangerous move for national Governments, politicians or campaign groups to be able to decide what constitutes genocide and what does not. Determining genocide is not the main question that ought to be concerning us about what is happening in Gaza. What is happening in Gaza is costing the lives of thousands of people. There is famine. It is preventable. What should be at the forefront of all of our minds is not arguing about the determination and use of one word. It is about getting those children fed and getting the medical attention to those who desperately need it.