Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the appeal by 34 voluntary organisations from Europe, America and Japan for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, an end to the blockade of Gaza, and durable solutions to violations of international law.

The UK and EU have noted the appeal by 34 voluntary organisations for a ceasefire in Gaza. We agree with the need to implement a durable ceasefire that ensures peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis. The UK has three objectives towards the crisis in Gaza - to secure a ceasefire, to alleviate humanitarian suffering and to keep alive the prospects for peace negotiations which are the only hope of breaking this cycle of violence and devastation once and for all. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) visited the region between 23-24 July and the UK will continue to work with international partners to secure a durable ceasefire that will end the bloodshed and provide a platform for resolving the underlying causes of the conflict.