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Written Question
Armenia: Israel
Thursday 25th January 2024

Asked by: Lord McInnes of Kilwinning (Conservative - 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 the safety of the Armenian community in Jerusalem.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is actively monitoring the situation, and engaging closely with partners across the region. We are a strong supporter of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and call for places of worship to be respected. Israel has made clear its commitment to freedom of religion, and we encourage the Israel Government to do all that it can to uphold the values of equality for all, enshrined in its laws. Our Embassies in Tel Aviv, and our Consulate General in Jerusalem regularly raise matters relating to religious freedom with the Israeli Governments.


Written Question
Israel and Lebanon: Christianity
Monday 8th January 2024

Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the safety of the Christian Aramaean communities on the Israel–Lebanon border.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is actively monitoring the Blue Line boundary between Israel and Lebanon, and engaging closely with partners across the region. We are a strong supporter of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and call for places of worship to be respected. Israel and Lebanon have made clear their commitment to freedom of religion, and we encourage both Governments to do all that they can to uphold the values of equality for all enshrined in their laws. Our Embassies in Tel Aviv and Beirut, and our Consulate General in Jerusalem regularly raise issues of religious freedom with the Israeli and Lebanese Governments.


Written Question
Israel: Embassies
Thursday 26th October 2023

Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to strengthen HM Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Both our Embassy in Tel Aviv and Consulate-General in Jerusalem remain staffed and continue to provide consular services to British nationals who require assistance. A rapid deployment team has also been sent to Israel to bolster the efforts of British consular officials.


Written Question
Gaza: Refugees
Thursday 26th October 2023

Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he plans to take steps to to provide aid to Egypt to support refugees leaving Gaza.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Since the Hamas terrorist attacks on 7 October, the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have spoken with counterparts from almost 20 countries as part of extensive diplomatic efforts to sustain the prospect of peace and stability in the Middle East. On 19 October, the Foreign Secretary travelled to the region where he met leaders in Egypt, Turkey and Qatar to help prevent the conflict spreading across the region and to seek a peaceful resolution.

The UK remains committed to the safety and security of those in Gaza. We are in regular contact with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on the full range of issues relating to conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The FCDO is actively engaging with the international humanitarian system (including Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), UN agencies and Civil Society Organisations) to address the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

On the 16 October, the Prime Minister announced £10 million in humanitarian funding for civilians in the OPTs and on 23 October a further £20 million in response to the escalating conflict. This funding will allow trusted partners, including key UN agencies, to provide essential relief items and services. These could include food, water and emergency shelter, depending on the needs on the ground. We regularly discuss migration and treatment of refugees with partners, including through our embassies, and we remain committed to supporting them to manage this effectively.


Written Question
Gaza: Refugees
Thursday 26th October 2023

Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the United Nations on securing safe refugee facilities for refugees leaving Gaza.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Since the Hamas terrorist attacks on 7 October, the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have spoken with counterparts from almost 20 countries as part of extensive diplomatic efforts to sustain the prospect of peace and stability in the Middle East. On 19 October, the Foreign Secretary travelled to the region where he met leaders in Egypt, Turkey and Qatar to help prevent the conflict spreading across the region and to seek a peaceful resolution.

The UK remains committed to the safety and security of those in Gaza. We are in regular contact with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on the full range of issues relating to conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The FCDO is actively engaging with the international humanitarian system (including Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), UN agencies and Civil Society Organisations) to address the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

On the 16 October, the Prime Minister announced £10 million in humanitarian funding for civilians in the OPTs and on 23 October a further £20 million in response to the escalating conflict. This funding will allow trusted partners, including key UN agencies, to provide essential relief items and services. These could include food, water and emergency shelter, depending on the needs on the ground. We regularly discuss migration and treatment of refugees with partners, including through our embassies, and we remain committed to supporting them to manage this effectively.


Written Question
Gaza: Refugees
Thursday 26th October 2023

Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps with (a) international partners and (b) NGOs to establish refugee camps.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Since the Hamas terrorist attacks on 7 October, the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have spoken with counterparts from almost 20 countries as part of extensive diplomatic efforts to sustain the prospect of peace and stability in the Middle East. On 19 October, the Foreign Secretary travelled to the region where he met leaders in Egypt, Turkey and Qatar to help prevent the conflict spreading across the region and to seek a peaceful resolution.

The UK remains committed to the safety and security of those in Gaza. We are in regular contact with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on the full range of issues relating to conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The FCDO is actively engaging with the international humanitarian system (including Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), UN agencies and Civil Society Organisations) to address the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

On the 16 October, the Prime Minister announced £10 million in humanitarian funding for civilians in the OPTs and on 23 October a further £20 million in response to the escalating conflict. This funding will allow trusted partners, including key UN agencies, to provide essential relief items and services. These could include food, water and emergency shelter, depending on the needs on the ground. We regularly discuss migration and treatment of refugees with partners, including through our embassies, and we remain committed to supporting them to manage this effectively.


Written Question
Gaza: Refugees
Thursday 26th October 2023

Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has held recent discussions with his (a) Egyptian counterpart and (b) other regional counterparts on allowing refugees from Gaza to (i) cross into Egypt and (ii) be provided with support in the region.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Since the Hamas terrorist attacks on 7 October, the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have spoken with counterparts from almost 20 countries as part of extensive diplomatic efforts to sustain the prospect of peace and stability in the Middle East. On 19 October, the Foreign Secretary travelled to the region where he met leaders in Egypt, Turkey and Qatar to help prevent the conflict spreading across the region and to seek a peaceful resolution.

The UK remains committed to the safety and security of those in Gaza. We are in regular contact with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on the full range of issues relating to conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The FCDO is actively engaging with the international humanitarian system (including Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), UN agencies and Civil Society Organisations) to address the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

On the 16 October, the Prime Minister announced £10 million in humanitarian funding for civilians in the OPTs and on 23 October a further £20 million in response to the escalating conflict. This funding will allow trusted partners, including key UN agencies, to provide essential relief items and services. These could include food, water and emergency shelter, depending on the needs on the ground. We regularly discuss migration and treatment of refugees with partners, including through our embassies, and we remain committed to supporting them to manage this effectively.


Written Question
Israel: Embassies
Monday 23rd October 2023

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many staff work at the UK embassy in Israel.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Both our Embassy in Tel Aviv and Consulate in Jerusalem remain staffed and continue to provide consular services to British nationals who require assistance. A Rapid Deployment Team has also been sent to Israel to bolster the efforts of British consular officials.


Written Question
Israel: Embassies
Thursday 22nd June 2023

Asked by: Scott Benton (Independent - Blackpool South)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of relocating the British Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

There are no plans to move the UK embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv. Israel is a close friend and key strategic partner, built on decades of cooperation. We will continue to strengthen our relationship with Israel through our Embassy in Tel Aviv.


Written Question
Israel: Embassies
Wednesday 9th November 2022

Asked by: Andy Slaughter (Labour - Hammersmith)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the announcement that the Government is reviewing the location of Britain's embassy in Israel, what the terms of reference are for the review; and if that review will take contributions from British non-Governmental organisations with an interest.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

There are no plans to move the UK embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv. Israel is a close friend and key strategic partner, built on decades of cooperation. We will continue to strengthen our relationship with Israel through our Embassy in Tel Aviv.