Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Neath and Swansea East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make an assessment of the potential humanitarian effect of ending restrictions on trade between Gaza and the West Bank.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
The biggest impediment to Palestinian economic progress is the Israeli-imposed movement and access restrictions. Giving Palestinians access to their resources and land and enabling them to work and trade freely is vital for economic prosperity and improved living conditions. Findings of a recent World Bank report show that benefits of lifting Israeli movement and access restrictions in Area C alone could increase Palestinian GDP by 3.4 billion USD.
Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Neath and Swansea East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make an assessment of the potential humanitarian effect of ending restrictions on exports out of Gaza; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
An improved economy is not only essential for the people of Gaza, but firmly in Israel’s security interests. We have consistently called on Israel to improve movement and access into and out of Gaza.
Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Neath and Swansea East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the potential humanitarian effect of creating a secure sea route for EU trade with Gaza between Cyprus and Gaza port.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
Allowing exports and lifting movement and access restrictions would have a transformative effect on Gaza’s economy, thereby reducing the humanitarian consequences of this political crisis by stimulating the economy and helping get people out of poverty. We have consistently called on the Government of Israel to improve movement and access into and out of Gaza, and will continue to do so.
Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Neath and Swansea East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the humanitarian effect on Palestinians in the West Bank of restrictions on their movement.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
We are deeply concerned about the impact of Israeli restrictions on Palestinians living in the West Bank, particularly in Area C and East Jerusalem. Access to water and land is restricted; with the inability to build freely on land and the threat of displacement from their homes. The UK is supporting access to water for agriculture, the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure in Area C, and legal assistance to Palestinian communities at risk of forced eviction, demolition and displacement. The UK regularly calls on Israel to lift restrictions on access and movement across the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Neath and Swansea East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
The UN assesses that the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is a protracted crisis with humanitarian consequences. UK aid is helping the Palestinian Authority to develop strong institutions, deliver essential public services and improve security.
DFID is providing £349 million in support of Palestinian development from 2011-15 and £72m for 2015/16. The UK was one of the biggest donors to the crisis last summer, providing more than £17 million in immediate humanitarian assistance for those caught up in the conflict. In October, the UK pledged a further £20 million in early recovery assistance at the Gaza Reconstruction Conference in Cairo.
Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Neath and Swansea East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimates she has made of the level of youth unemployment in Gaza; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
According to the World Bank, youth unemployment in Gaza rose to more than 60 percent by the end of 2014. Unemployment is even higher among Palestinian refugees, particularly young women. DFID is promoting private sector development which contributes to state and peace building by increasing economic sustainability, and reducing unemployment and poverty.