Middle East

Patricia Ferguson Excerpts

Tuesday 14th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I wholeheartedly agree with the hon. Member on the spirit and intent behind his question. Hamas is a terrorist organisation that has inflicted violence and destruction on far too many individuals, and they can play absolutely no part in the future. Our recognition of Palestine was expressly on that basis. We will continue to work with other countries to ensure that that is the situation, because it is vital that that is part of a peaceful and lasting settlement in the region.

[Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow West) (Lab)]

I very much welcome the Prime Minister’s statement today, and I thank him, his ministerial team and their advisers for all the work that has been done over many months to get us to this point, where there is some hope for peace in Gaza and also for peace for Israel. In this process, as we go forward and try to build peace, can he ensure that the voices of women, who are so often excluded from such processes, are heard, and that women are at the table when decisions are being made?

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend makes a very good point, and we must ensure that women are part of the future build, and we will do so.