Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on allegations that Israeli security forces impersonated humanitarian workers while conducting a military operation inside the Gaza Strip in November 2018; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Alistair Burt
Whilst we have not discussed this specific issue, officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv are in regular discussions with the Israeli authorities on the situation in Gaza, most recently on 4 December.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the governments of (a) Bangladesh and (b) Myanmar on agreement between those countries on the repatriation of Rohingya refugees.
Answered by Mark Field
I spoke with the both Bangladeshi State Minister of Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam and Burmese Minister for International Cooperation Kyaw Tin on 1 November to stress the UK's serious concern at their Governments' announcement on 30 October that refugee repatriation would commence in mid-November. The UK will continue to make representations underlining the importance of a safe, voluntary and dignified return for refugees.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what preconditions his Department has set for the UK to recognise the State of Palestine.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The UK will recognise a Palestinian state at a time when it best serves the objective of peace. The UK continues to support efforts towards peace. We are clear that we want to see the creation of a sovereign, independent, contiguous, and viable Palestinian state - living in peace and security, side by side with Israel. Bilateral recognition in itself cannot end the occupation; without a negotiated settlement the occupation and the problems that come with it will continue.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on facilitating visits to Gaza for hon. Members.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to Gaza. Entry to, and exit from, Gaza can be very difficult. Permission to access Gaza is granted by either the Israeli or Egyptian authorities. Any specific request from Members of Parliament for assistance from the Government would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Egyptian counterpart on the proposal for the Palestinian reconciliation process to be overseen by the Egyptian Government.
Answered by Alistair Burt
On 14 October, I discussed the Middle East Peace Process, including reconciliation efforts, with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, in Cairo. The UK is supportive of Egyptian efforts to facilitate the return of the legitimate Palestinian Authority to Gaza.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage the resumption of substantive negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
Answered by Alistair Burt
At this highly sensitive time in the region, there is an urgent need to restart the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. We regularly press both parties to resume direct negotiations towards a two-state solution. I discussed the issue of the Middle East Peace Process with the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on 11 October. We continue to encourage the US Administration to bring forward detailed proposals for a viable peace agreement that addresses the legitimate concerns of both parties.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on the (a) progress, (b) independence and (c) transparency of investigations into (i) the use of live fire and (ii) related deaths on the Gaza border in 2018.
Answered by Alistair Burt
As the Prime Minister made clear to the Israeli Prime Minister in June, the UK believes there is a need for Israel to carry out a transparent, independent inquiry into protests in Gaza. During my visit to Israel in May, I also stressed the need for an independent investigation with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Hotovely and Israeli Minister for Regional Cooperation Hanegbi. Our Ambassador to Israel regularly discusses the situation in Gaza with Israeli officials, urging action to improve the situation. We welcome news that Israel has opened a criminal investigation into the case of Razan al Najjar.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he has taken to encourage all parties to engage with the UN Human Rights Council commission of inquiry on the 2018 protests in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Answered by Alistair Burt
Our position on the need for an independent and transparent investigation into events in Gaza is clear. The UK continues to call on all parties to engage constructively with the UN Human Rights Council and its mechanisms.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the level of international involvement in Israeli investigations on the use of live fire and related deaths on the Gaza border in 2018.
Answered by Alistair Burt
We have not made an assessment of this matter. The UK has encouraged Israel to carry out a transparent inquiry into the Israel Defence Forces' conduct at the border fence, and to demonstrate how this will achieve a sufficient level of independence.