Debates between Tobias Ellwood and Craig Tracey during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tobias Ellwood and Craig Tracey
Tuesday 24th May 2016

(8 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Craig Tracey Portrait Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire) (Con)
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6. What recent assessment he has made of the extent of radicalisation in the Palestinian Territories.

Tobias Ellwood Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Tobias Ellwood)
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I condemn all violence and all efforts to incite or radicalise people to commit violence in the middle east. During my most recent visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories in February, I raised this issue with the Palestinian Authority and urged them to do more to tackle this issue and make clear their opposition to violence.

Craig Tracey Portrait Craig Tracey
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Last week, the Fatah party in Palestine described the terrorist who killed 26 people and wounded more than 80 in a shooting attack at a Israel’s main airport in 1972 as a “hero” and said it was

“proud of every fighter who has joined our mighty revolution”

against Israel. Does the Minister agree that the success of the two-state solution that we all want rests upon the Palestinian Authority starting to teach its young people about peaceful coexistence?

Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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My hon. Friend makes an important point about peaceful coexistence. It is important that President Abbas condemn statements such as that when they are made. I have noticed a disjunct between the elderly leadership and the youth, who feel disfranchised and so are taking matters into their own hands. I looked into the particular claim that my hon. Friend has raised; I understand that it was placed on Facebook and so was not attributed to a particular Minister, as has been the case in the past. Nevertheless, it should be condemned and removed, as my hon. Friend indicated.