Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they intend to have with the government of Israel concerning the recent destruction of fishing boats and fishing nets; and what plans there are to restore the fishing industry in Gaza.

The UK has no plans for immediate discussions with the Government of Israel regarding the recent destruction of fishing boats and nets. However, the UK is concerned by the issue of restoring the fishing industry in Gaza, and by the devastating economic and humanitarian impact of restrictions on Gaza, including on the fishing industry. Over the past 10 years, Israel has gradually expanded restriction on access to fishing areas in the Access Restricted Areas (ARAs) in the Gaza strip. We regularly raise the urgent need to ease all access and movement restrictions on Gaza with the Government of Israel. This includes fishing limits, which would help to restore the fishing industry.