May. 17 2024
Source Page: UK aid delivered to Gaza shoreFound: Senior ministers stress maritime route not a replacement for land and urge Israel to let more trucks
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding bringing their military operations in Gaza to a conclusion as soon as possible.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The fastest way to end the conflict is to secure a deal which gets the hostages out and allows for a stop in the fighting in Gaza. The Prime Minister discussed the current hostage negotiations with Prime Minister Netanyahu on 30 April and expressed his hope that negotiations are concluded to allow hostages to return home as soon as possible.
We are clear that the vital elements for a lasting peace include the release of all hostages; the formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package; removing Hamas's capacity to launch attacks against Israel; Hamas no longer being in charge of Gaza; and a political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution and ensures Israelis and Palestinians can live in security and dignity.
Found: 2023/24 Israel-Hamas conflict: US, UN, EU and regional response
Mentions:
1: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con - Life peer) We have also called for the violent perpetrators of this attack to be held to account, and also for Israel - Speech Link
2: Lord Polak (Con - Life peer) in 1949, is now outdated, does not provide value for money”,and that it“refuses to help resettle the Palestinians - Speech Link
3: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con - Life peer) Indeed, the establishment of Israel was supported by the United Kingdom and is supported by all Members - Speech Link
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Southwark (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to resume funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), following the publication of the Independent Review of Mechanisms and Procedures to Ensure Adherence by UNRWA to the Humanitarian Principle of Neutrality on 22 April.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the events that took place on 7 October in Israel are appalling, which is why we took decisive action to pause future funding to the organisation.
The Prime Minister has been clear that the UK will set out its position on future funding to UNRWA following careful consideration of Catherine Colonna's final report, UNRWA's response and the ongoing UN Office for Internal Oversight Services investigation into these allegations. We recognise the pivotal role the UNRWA play in support of Palestinians in Gaza and neighbouring countries.
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Streatham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on evacuation routes for Palestinians displaced from eastern Rafah.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
As I told the House last week, Israel must facilitate immediate, uninterrupted humanitarian access in the south, especially the entry of fuel, and ensure the protection of civilians and safe passage for those who wish to leave Rafah.
We have been clear that we would not support a major operation in Rafah unless there is a very clear plan for how to protect people and save lives. We have not seen that plan so, in these circumstances, we would not support a major operation in Rafah.
The Foreign Secretary and I continue to press these points with our Israeli counterparts.
Oral Evidence May. 14 2024
Inquiry: The UK’s engagement with the Middle East and North AfricaFound: I think they are broad ranging, but reference was made to the importance of the rights of Palestinians
Mentions:
1: Baroness Noakes (Con - Life peer) , Lady Hale, that the International Court of Justice had ruled that there was a plausible case that Israel - Speech Link
2: Lord Hendy (Lab - Life peer) very brief.In relation to Amendment 30, the noble Baroness, Lady Noakes, argued as to whether or not Israel - Speech Link
3: Lord Beith (LD - Life peer) I have also had a long involvement with Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel, and I understand where the - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Sharon Hodgson (Lab - Washington and Sunderland West) I thank Labour Friends of Israel, the all-party parliamentary group on UK-Israel and others for the briefings - Speech Link
2: Sharon Hodgson (Lab - Washington and Sunderland West) that may have occurred since 7 October, committed by State and non-State actors against Israelis and Palestinians - Speech Link
3: Jim Shannon (DUP - Strangford) I visited Israel the week after Easter. The hon. - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Apsana Begum (Lab - Poplar and Limehouse) It is this Government who help to ensure that Israel has the weapons to kill women and children. - Speech Link
2: Richard Burgon (Lab - Leeds East) by Israel cannot be allowed to be permanent? - Speech Link
3: Andy Slaughter (Lab - Hammersmith) It is as if they are a passive observer: “Is Israel breaking international law at the moment? - Speech Link
4: George Galloway (WPB - Rochdale) It is not true that our military aid to Israel is minuscule. - Speech Link
5: Tom Pursglove (Con - Corby) We look to Israel to meet its commitments to flood Gaza with aid. - Speech Link