Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about physicians and surgeons being prevented from accessing Gaza to train doctors.

The Government recognises the need for major international organisations to carry out humanitarian and reconstruction work on the ground in Gaza. Medical staff should co-ordinate their entry to and exit from Gaza with those organisations. Israeli restrictions severely restrict the movement of medical professionals and patients in Gaza, hampering the provision of quality health services, as well as the pursuit of studies, continuing education and specialized training for medical professionals.

We regularly raise issues relating to medical facilities and personnel with the Israeli authorities. We have stressed the need for safe and unimpeded passage for medical personnel. In particular we raise our concerns about medical facilities in Gaza, and medical permits, with the office for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). Our Ambassador to Israel discussed Gaza with COGAT on 17 September. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv raised our concerns about the targeting of health workers with COGAT on 23 August.