Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compatibility of the proposed recognition of a Palestinian State with the Montevideo Convention.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

Recognition of Palestinian statehood is a political decision that is compliant with international law and has already been taken by a significant majority of UN member states. Taking into consideration the criteria for statehood set out in the Montevideo Convention and other relevant factors, we considered that there was a proper basis for the recognition of the Palestinian State, which was announced on 21 September.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the report Schools in the Grip of Terror, published by UN Watch in September; and what plans they have to review the funding provided to UNRWA by the UK.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK Government takes these allegations seriously and expects the UN to investigate these claims. We continue to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East's (UNRWA) work on reform and implementation of the Colonna Report to ensure they meet the highest standards on neutrality and integrity. The UK remains committed to supporting the humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees, while ensuring that aid does not contribute to incitement or extremism. In line with the approach taken by most other Member States, the UK has conducted extensive due diligence and are satisfied that UNRWA adequately manage UK funds.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following their formal recognition of the state of Palestine, whether they intend to call on that state (1) to admit the Palestinian refugees living in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan; and (2) to grant them Palestinian citizenship.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK's recognition of the State of Palestine does not alter the status of Palestinian refugees. The question of refugee status remains a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following their formal recognition of the state of Palestine, what consideration they have given to the status of "refugee" hitherto applied to residents of Gaza and the West Bank.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK's recognition of the State of Palestine does not alter the status of Palestinian refugees. The question of refugee status remains a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what boundaries they recognise for the state of Palestine.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

We continue to work with the Palestinian Authority to ensure the delivery of its reform programme, including the commitment to hold elections.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government who they recognise as the government of the state of Palestine, and where it is located.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

We continue to work with the Palestinian Authority to ensure the delivery of its reform programme, including the commitment to hold elections.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 7 October (HL10285), what steps they have taken to confirm that the commitments made by the Palestinian Authority to reform prisoner payments have been carried out.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the response given on 31 October to question HL10859.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports of death threats made against a professor at City St George's, what steps they are taking to protect university professors from intimidation and violence, and to hold students who engage in violent or intimidating behaviour to account.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The campaign against a professor at City St George’s University is unacceptable. Antisemitic abuse has no place in our lecture halls, on campus or anywhere else.

Where a student has been found to be responsible for racially motivated harassment, intimidation or incitement to violence, the department expects universities to act swiftly and use the full force of their disciplinary powers, involving the police where necessary.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has written to the professor to offer her support, and senior officials have met with the Vice Chancellor. I am pleased that the University’s Senior Leadership Team has publicly affirmed its support for the professor and has taken swift steps to protect his safety on campus.

We are supporting universities to address antisemitism on campuses through the Tackling Antisemitism in Education programme, with Government-funded training for university staff commencing soon.