Dec. 09 2022
Source Page: Human Rights and Democracy Report 2021Found: During the conflict 261 Palestinians were killed including 66 children.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 October 2022 to Question 63914 on Palestinians: Textbooks, whether the United Nations Relief and Works Agency committed to take steps after his Department raised its concerns following the Review of 2022 UNRWA-Produced Study Materials in the Palestinian Territories published by IMPACT-se in July 2022.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the honourable Member to the answer given on 25 October 2022 to Question 63914, the answer can be found on the Q&A web pages on https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2022-10-17/63914
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of whether study materials produced by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East for use in the Palestinian Territories meet UNESCO standards of peace and tolerance in education.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
We are longstanding supporters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and their work to provide essential services to Palestinian refugees across the region, including in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). We accompany our support for the UNRWA with stringent attention to implementation of their neutrality policy, including how they apply this to textbooks and other learning material to ensure they reflect UN values.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to IMPACT-se’s Review of 2022 UNRWA-Produced Study Materials in the Palestinian Territories, published in July 2022, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policy of that review.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK Government has zero tolerance towards incitement of violence. We are aware of the recent IMPACT-SE report and raised with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) directly. We are longstanding supporters of UNRWA and their work to provide essential services to Palestinian refugees across the region, including in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). We accompany our support for UNRWA with stringent attention to implementation of their neutrality policy, including how they apply this to the learning material UNRWA produces in the OPTs to ensure they reflect UN values.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for its policies of the Review of 2022 UNRWA-Produced Study Materials in the Palestinian Territories published by IMPACT-se in July 2022.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK Government has zero tolerance towards incitement of violence. We are aware of the recent Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (IMPACT-SE) report and raised with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) directly. We are longstanding supporters of UNRWA and their work to provide essential services to Palestinian refugees across the region, including in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). We accompany our support for UNRWA with stringent attention to implementation of their neutrality policy, including how they apply this to the learning material UNRWA produces in the OPTs to ensure they reflect UN values.
Mentions:
1: Gareth Thomas (LAB - Harrow West) May I take her back to a debate she initiated in Westminster Hall on the plight of the Palestinians and - Speech Link
2: Hilary Benn (LAB - Leeds Central) course they welcome help from countries like ours to employ the teachers, build the schools, buy the textbooks - Speech Link
Asked by: Caroline Ansell (Conservative - Eastbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 31 May 2022 to Question 8084, what the Government's position is on the findings of the EU review into Palestinian textbooks that the Palestinian Authority school curriculum features anti-Israel, antisemitic content; and if she will make a statement on her Department’s aid strategy to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
We have been clear that incitement to hatred or violence is unacceptable and has no place in education. The report commissioned by the EU into Palestinian textbooks highlights meaningful progress but also indicates that problematic content remains. We continue to raise our concerns to the highest level of the Palestinian Authority and urge removal of the content. The UK is a longstanding supporter of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). We accompany our support for the UNRWA with stringent attention to implementation of their neutrality policy, including how they apply this to textbooks and other learning material to ensure they reflect UN values.
Mentions:
1: Sarah Champion (LAB - Rotherham) positive work in the middle east in the absence of a political solution between the Israelis and the Palestinians - Speech Link
2: Vicky Ford (CON - Chelmsford) restrictions on movement, access and trade for the people of Gaza are damaging the lives of ordinary Palestinians - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Julie Elliott (LAB - Sunderland Central) This claim for Palestinians rings hollow. - Speech Link
2: Philippa Whitford (SNP - Central Ayrshire) Palestinians face constant harassment and obstruction. - Speech Link
3: John Howell (CON - Henley) Authority, removing hate-filled material inciting violence against Israel and Jews in official PA school textbooks - Speech Link
Found: There are gay Palestinians from the PA who have sought refuge in Israel .106 8.2 Recent events