Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the press release of 16 October 2023 entitled UK announces £10 million humanitarian aid for civilians in Occupied Palestinian Territories, whether he plans to publish the (a) process and (b) mechanisms by which that aid will be distributed in Gaza.
Answered by David Rutley
The FCDO aid budget is allocated in accordance with UK strategic priorities against a challenging financial climate. There is a robust framework in place for allocating Official Development Assistance (ODA). Data on ODA spend in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is available on DevTracker (https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/countries/PS). More than 80% of our ODA spend this year of UK support will be used to meet humanitarian need, or to provide vital health, education, and protection services for Palestinian Refugees. The new funding announced on 16 October 2023 will allow trusted partners, including key UN agencies to provide essential relief items and services. These could include food, water and emergency shelter, depending on the needs on the ground. The UK is also exploring options for moving humanitarian supplies closer to the region and is liaising with aid agencies in the region to ensure relief supplies can be distributed as quickly and effectively as possible.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what meetings he has had since 7 October 2023 with aid and charity organisations operating in Gaza on the provision and access of British aid.
Answered by David Rutley
The UK is calling for immediate unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza so that essential aid, including food, water, fuel and medical supplies, can reach civilian populations. The UK is also calling on all parties to protect border crossings to support safe humanitarian access and mitigate harm to civilians. The FCDO is actively engaging with the international humanitarian system (including UN agencies, Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs), Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs), and Civil Society Organisations) to address the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza. On 19 October, the Foreign Secretary visited the region where he will meet leaders in Egypt, Turkey and Qatar and push for agreement on humanitarian access to Gaza, the release of British hostages and foreign nationals, and securing safe passage for British Nationals to leave Gaza.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to respond formally to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Summit 2023; and what progress his Department has made on achieving the goals.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The UK is committed to working to deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as set out in the International Development Strategy (IDS) and Integrated Review (IR23). The UN's SDG Summit in September will mark the mid-way point to 2030. We will work closely with our partners to accelerate progress towards the SDGs at this critical juncture and ensure the SDG Summit delivers for all, including the poorest and most vulnerable.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support progress towards a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK remains committed to making progress towards a two-state solution, resulting in a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian State; based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, with Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states. The Prime Minister met his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, on 24 March and emphasised the risk of undermining efforts toward the two-state solution. The Foreign Secretary and Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister for the Middle East, met Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, during his recent visit to London on 21 March. They discussed our strong bilateral relationship and also the vital importance of de-escalating the rising tension in the West Bank.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the announcement by the government of Israel that it will legalise nine outposts in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Answered by David Rutley
The UK's position on settlements and outposts is unchanged. They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. The UK joined a number of international partners on 14 February to express our dismay at the decision to legalise nine outposts. This decision will only serve to exacerbate tensions and undermine efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution. The UK welcomes the recent talks in Aqaba and Sharm El-Sheikh and in particular the commitment by the Israeli government to stop the authorisation of outposts for six months. We will push the Israelis to make that temporary pause permanent.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Israeli Government on a full, impartial investigation into the murder of Shireen Abu Akleh.
Answered by David Rutley
The UK Government was deeply saddened by the death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh last year and the Foreign Secretary once again extends his sympathies to her family. The Foreign Secretary has not personally discussed this matter with the Government of Israel, but officials from British Embassy Tel Aviv made clear the need for a thorough investigation. The UK Government's position is still that there must be a thorough and transparent investigation. The work of journalists across the globe is vital, and they must be protected from harm in the course of their duties.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Israeli counterpart on the potential effect of that country's proposals to provide administrative powers over the West Bank to its Finance Minister on the status of the West Bank.
Answered by David Rutley
The Foreign Secretary has not discussed this issue with his Israeli counterpart, but it has long been the Government's view that Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is governed by the provisions of the Geneva Convention and we repeatedly call on Israel to abide by those obligations. We are still working to understand the full consequence of the changes you refer to, but our current understanding is that the administrative powers will remain within the Ministry of Defense and Bezalel Smotrich's involvement will be in his capacity as a junior Defence Minister.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on aid funding to help tackle the hunger crisis in East Africa.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The FCDO works closely with HM Treasury to ensure that aid spend is directed towards our priorities in-line with the International Development Strategy.
The UK is committed to addressing the deteriorating food security and malnutrition situation across East Africa. This financial year the UK will provide £156 million in humanitarian support, supporting millions of people with life-saving aid. The UK is also working to raise the profile of the crisis with our partners and to ensure a robust response from humanitarian and development actors including development banks.