Iran-Israel Update Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Iran-Israel Update

Joanna Cherry Excerpts
Monday 15th April 2024

(1 month, 2 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rishi Sunak Portrait The Prime Minister
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I am pleased to say that, just a couple of years ago, in anticipation of the rise in the threat environment, we increased defence spending by the largest amount since the end of the cold war, and we subsequently increased it by more than £11 billion specifically to deal with inflation, strengthen our nuclear enterprise and rebuild our stockpiles. However, I can reassure the House and my right hon. Friend that we will always continue to invest in our armed forces to keep this country safe.

Joanna Cherry Portrait Joanna Cherry (Edinburgh South West) (SNP)
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I hold no candle for the Iranian regime. In fact, I recently co-authored a report on its disgraceful oppression of women and girls, which we concluded amounted to gender apartheid. However, just as Iran must be held to the standards of international law, so must Israel. The Prime Minister has paid tribute to the three brave British aid workers who were killed by the Israel Defence Forces. Will he condemn Israel for their wrongful killing, and will he also condemn it for the ongoing slaughter of innocent life in Gaza?

Rishi Sunak Portrait The Prime Minister
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I refer the hon. and learned Lady to my previous answers to both those questions.