Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK supports (a) normalised relations and (b) peace between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Since day one, this Government has been clear that we need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages cruelly detained by Hamas, better protection of civilians, significantly more aid consistently entering Gaza, and a path to long-term peace and stability. The Foreign Secretary has visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories three times since taking office and has pressed for a resolution, to secure a ceasefire and see the return of hostages.

The UK has always been clear that an immediate ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. All parties must re-engage with negotiations to get hostages out, surge aid, and secure a permanent end to this conflict. Diplomacy, not more bloodshed, is how we get security for Israelis and Palestinians. We must build confidence on all sides that helps sustain the ceasefire and move towards a lasting peace. That requires a political process, and a political horizon towards a two-state solution. Only that over time will ensure the long-term peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.