Gaza City

Lord Dubs Excerpts

Monday 8th September 2025 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Dubs]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what action they propose to take in response to the government of Israel’s plan announced on 8 August, which will reportedly involve the displacement of the Palestinian population from Gaza City.

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)]

My Lords, we continue to reiterate our position to the Israeli Government. Palestinian territory must not be reduced in the conduct of this war, and the forced displacement of people risks breaching international humanitarian law. The planned displacement of so many Gazans is morally unjustifiable, wholly disproportionate and utterly counterproductive. On 29 July, the Prime Minister announced the UK’s intention for a Palestinian state to be recognised by UNGA if Israel did not take substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commit to long-term peace.

[Lord Dubs (Lab)]

My Lords, I am grateful for what the Minister says the Government are now doing. We all look with horror at the policies of the Israeli Government to displace the population of Gaza City, to bomb them into submission or to starve them into submission. It is appalling in the 21st century to see this going on. Can we please toughen up the Government’s policy, impose further sanctions and, if a leading Israeli politician comes to Britain, protest at what the Israeli Government are doing? I believe that it is without the support of the majority of the people of Israel.

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

It is not for me to assess the majority view of the people of Israel but, having been there very recently, I understand that there is a range of opinion among the Israeli population and that the people are not afraid to let us know this. This needs to be acknowledged and respected. My noble friend is right to draw attention to it.

The UK Government have taken many steps—unprecedented, extraordinary steps—which are appropriate given the situation that we see on the ground in Gaza and, increasingly, in the West Bank. Our position is clear. The UN General Assembly is now days away. We continue to make our assessment on the decision that we will be taking in New York at the end of this month.