Gaza: UN Commission of Inquiry Report

Lord Pannick Excerpts

Thursday 18th September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

As I have said, it is not for any politician or indeed the Government to determine whether or not genocide has been happening. It is for a competent court, and we will respect the decision of any competent court. Putting that to one side, it is absolutely right that we in this Chamber, others in positions of leadership or people in the community are able to say that what they see happening in Gaza is a thing of horror and shame that should stop immediately.

[Lord Pannick (CB)]

Will the Minister confirm that the commission of inquiry actually found that there were reasonable grounds for alleging genocide in Gaza, not that there is genocide in Gaza? Does she agree that that is not a robust legal test?

[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.