Gaza: Humanitarian Situation

Sarah Smith Excerpts

Thursday 12th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Doughty]

Matters that ultimately relate to maritime delimitations and so on must be done in line with the United Nations convention on the law of the sea. We are a firm defender of that principle. My hon. Friend rightly talks about different routes through which aid can get in. I would draw him back to what I said earlier, which is that the best thing that can be done is to reopen Erez, to make sure that Kerem Shalom is open fully and to ensure that those dual-use restrictions are removed. That will make the tangible difference on the ground right now.

[Sarah Smith (Hyndburn) (Lab)]

Like myself, my constituents in Hyndburn and Haslingden are deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza, with 950,000 displaced people urgently in need of aid. Unlike the Conservatives, I am very proud that we have committed £88 million to support the Palestinian territories and an extra £5 million today. Could the Minister say more about the expansion of the global human rights regime and how that might help to get the aid into Gaza that is so desperately needed?

[Stephen Doughty]

I set out the message on that new regime at the end of my statement. We are sending a very clear signal that—not just in relation to Gaza but in relation to a number of other conflicts and situations around the world—we can take action against those who deny humanitarian assistance and lifesaving aid when it is most needed. My hon. Friend speaks with great passion on behalf of her constituents, and I thank her for the support that she has given us today.

--- Later in debate ---

[Stephen Doughty]

International humanitarian law and principles need to be upheld. We are resolute in defending those principles internationally and in the accountability that we expect. We communicate that directly to the Government of Israel and to all other parties, and we will continue to stand up for humanitarian workers and all those who do incredible work. I want to pay tribute to them, because I have met so many over recent weeks. They often put themselves in harm’s way, knowing the risks, and still go out there driven by the pure humanitarian impulse to try to make life better for people who are suffering so much. My tribute today is to them.

[Sarah Smith]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. The right hon. Member for Tonbridge (Tom Tugendhat) has acted shamefully during this session. First, he suggested that an hon. Member was siding with Hamas, a proscribed terror organisation—a disgraceful slur, which the right hon. Member needs to withdraw. Then, from a sedentary position, he suggested that another one of my hon. Friends was being antisemitic. Will you provide advice, Madam Deputy Speaker, as to how to ensure that the record is corrected and such awful accusations are not allowed to stand?

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Caroline Nokes)]

I thank the hon. Lady for her point of order. She and all Members will know that good temper and moderation are the characteristics of parliamentary debate, and they should prevail even from a sedentary position.