Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 30 July (HL1482), whether they now consider that the recent military action by Israel in Gaza is proportionate, as defined in the Joint Service Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict; and whether they will publish their assessment of the proportionality of that action.

The Prime Minister, my right Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), has been clear on the UK’s recognition of Israel’s right to take proportionate action to defend itself and our condemnation of Hamas’s rocket attacks. We have consistently urged Israel to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties, to exercise restraint, and to help find ways to bring this situation to an end. There must now be meaningful, effective and independent investigations into possible violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by all sides, including those abuses committed by Hamas and other militant groups. Both sides should cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry set up by the UN Human Rights Council, which must itself be independent and balanced in its approach.