Baroness Janke

We regularly review advice about Israel's capability and commitment to International Humanitarian Law, and act in accordance with that advice, for example when considering export licences. We support Israel's legitimate right to defend itself and take action against terrorism, within the bounds of International Humanitarian Law.

We respect the role and independence of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). However, we have stated that we have considerable concerns about this case, which is not helpful in the goal of achieving a sustainable ceasefire.

The UK is committed to making progress towards a two-state solution, as the Foreign Secretary made clear during his recent visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 11-13 September.

However, the UK does not agree with the use of this terminology. Any judgment on whether serious crimes under international law have occurred is a matter for judicial decision, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies. As a friend of Israel, we have a regular dialogue on human rights. This includes encouraging the Government of Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and do all it can to uphold the values of equality for all.

The UK is alarmed by the numbers of Palestinians killed and injured in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In our dialogue with the Israeli authorities we have recognised their legitimate need to deploy security measures to address this violence. We encourage them to deploy these in a way which minimises tension and use appropriate force. In instances where there have been accusations of excessive use of force, we have advocated swift, transparent investigations. The UK remains committed to a two-state solution, as the Foreign Secretary made clear during his recent visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 11-13 September.

The UK is alarmed by the numbers of Palestinians killed and injured in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In our dialogue with the Israeli authorities we have recognised their legitimate need to deploy security measures to address this violence. We encourage them to deploy these in a way which minimises tension and use appropriate force. In instances where there have been accusations of excessive use of force, we have advocated swift, transparent investigations. The UK remains committed to a two-state solution, as the Foreign Secretary made clear during his recent visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 11-13 September.

The work of healthcare workers across the globe is vital and they must be protected when carrying out their critical work. During his call on 4 July with the Israeli chargé d'affaires in London, the Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, urged Israel to safeguard access to healthcare and take proactive steps to guarantee the safety of civilians during Israeli operations in the West Bank. When the Foreign Secretary spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on July 5, he raised the UK's concerns about attacks on civilian infrastructure during their recent operation in Jenin.

The work of healthcare workers across the globe is vital and they must be protected when carrying out their critical work. During his call on 4 July with the Israeli chargé d'affaires in London, the Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, urged Israel to safeguard access to healthcare and take proactive steps to guarantee the safety of civilians during Israeli operations in the West Bank. When the Foreign Secretary spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on July 5, he raised the UK's concerns about attacks on civilian infrastructure during their recent operation in Jenin.

We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law, and we have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation. As the occupying power, we urge Israel to fulfil its responsibilities, including ensuring the protection of the civilian population. I [Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Minister of State for the Middle East] made this clear most recently in a meeting with the Israeli chargé d'affaires on July 4.

The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions and evictions are contrary to international humanitarian law. As David Rutley, Minister of State for the Americas and the Caribbean said in Parliament on 18 July, the practice causes unnecessary suffering and is harmful to efforts to promote peace. The UK is appalled by the eviction of the Ghaith-Sub Laban family from their home of over 70 years in the Old City of Jerusalem. Any judgment on whether serious crimes under international law have occurred is a matter for judicial decision, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies.

We regularly raise the issue of the numbers of Palestinians killed and injured by Israeli Defence Forces in the West Bank and Gaza with the Israeli authorities. When there have been accusations of excessive use of force, we encourage them to carry out swift, transparent and thorough investigations and, if wrongdoing is found, that those responsible be held to account. We make it clear to Israel that it is important that the security forces provide appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the need to protect children, and urge restraint in the use of live fire.

Settlements are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. The UK condemns in the strongest terms incidents of violence by settlers against Palestinians and stresses the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population. We urge Israel to halt its settlement expansion. I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] frequently engage with Israelis and Palestinians on this issue.

We ask Israel to allow access into and out of Gaza and the West Bank, in accordance with international humanitarian law, for humanitarian actors, reconstruction materials and those, including Palestinians, travelling for medical purposes. The British Embassy in Tel Aviv regularly raises the importance of this issue with the Israeli authorities. We strongly condemn all forms of violence and incitement to violence directed towards healthcare workers. The wounded and critically ill in Gaza and the West Bank should be able to access the urgent medical care they need. The UK government welcomes any effort to cooperate between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, including in the healthcare sector. When the Foreign Secretary wrote to his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen on 10 May, he asked him to allow humanitarian access to Gaza following recent Israeli airstrikes there.

We take note of a number of sources of information and continue to monitor the security situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). We regularly raise the issue of the numbers of Palestinians killed and injured by Israeli Defence Forces in the West Bank and Gaza with the Israeli authorities. When there are accusations of excessive force, we encourage them to carry out swift, transparent and thorough investigations and, if wrongdoing is found, that those responsible be held to account. We stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the need to protect children, and urge restraint in the use of live fire. I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] also raised this point with the Israeli Government during my visit to Israel and the OPTs in January.

The UK is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. The UK condemns all attacks on the right to freedom of religion or belief. Israel has made clear its commitment to freedom of religion. We encourage the Israeli Government to do all it can to uphold the values of equality for all enshrined in its laws. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv and Consulate General in Jerusalem regularly raise issues of religious freedom with the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority. We continue to call on all sides to uphold the historic Status Quo in Jerusalem, recognising the custodianship of Jordan over the Holy sites.

The UK is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. The UK condemns all attacks on the right to freedom of religion or belief. Israel has made clear its commitment to freedom of religion. We encourage the Israeli Government to do all it can to uphold the values of equality for all enshrined in its laws. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv and Consulate General in Jerusalem regularly raise issues of religious freedom with the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority. We continue to call on all sides to uphold the historic Status Quo in Jerusalem, recognising the custodianship of Jordan over the Holy sites.

We regularly raise the issue of the numbers of Palestinians killed and injured by Israeli Defence Forces in the West Bank and Gaza with the Israeli authorities. We encourage them to carry out swift, transparent and thorough investigations and, if wrongdoing is found, that those responsible be held to account. We stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the need to protect children, and urge restraint in the use of live fire. The Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon also raised this point with the Israeli Government during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) in January.

The UK is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv regularly raises issues of religious freedom with the Israeli Government. We continue to call on all sides to ensure those of all faiths in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories are able to practise their faiths in peace and security. We engage the Israeli authorities to ensure access to the holy sites for Palestinians across the OPTs. As set out in the House of Commons on 24 April by Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for Development and Africa, we welcome Israel's decision to prevent non-Muslims from visiting al-Aqsa mosque during the final days of Ramadan, which we regard as an important de-escalatory act.

As the Foreign Secretary said in his statement on 7 April, the UK condemns Israeli police violence at Al Aqsa Mosque. When Israeli security forces conduct operations, they must ensure they are proportionate and in accordance with international law. The UK is a strong supporter of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and calls for places of worship to be respected. We value the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan's custodianship of the holy sites in Jerusalem and urge all parties across the region to de-escalate tensions.

The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions and evictions are contrary to international humanitarian law. Our opposition to the demolition of Palestinian property and the evictions of Palestinians from their homes is long-standing. The practice causes unnecessary suffering and is harmful to efforts to promote peace. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation. I reinforced this message during a visit to a UK-donor-funded school facing demolition on 12 January in Masafer Yatta and raised Masafer Yatta with the Israeli ambassador to the UK on 26 January.

Human Rights are a crucial element underpinning the UK's foreign policy. The UK continues to engage with the Israeli government on human rights issues where they exist. We call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation. The UK remains committed to a two-state solution, as I made clear in my meetings with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki, during my visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 10-13 January.

We urge access into and out of Gaza - in accordance with international humanitarian law - for humanitarian actors, reconstruction materials, and those, including Palestinians, travelling for medical purposes. We are in close contact with UN agencies and key partners on the ground to assess the situation and will monitor closely. The wounded and ill in Gaza and the West Bank should be able to access the urgent medical care they need. Officials from our embassy in Tel Aviv and our consulate-general in Jerusalem frequently urge the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to take steps to improve conditions in Gaza, including easing movement and access restrictions.

Constitutional reforms are by-and-large a matter for the Israeli people and their government, however the UK believes strongly in the principle of an independent judiciary and Israel is rightly proud of its history as a Jewish and democratic state. The UK's position on settlements is clear, as set out in a statement made by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Italy, the Foreign Secretary of the UK, and the Secretary of State of the US on 14 February . They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. In terms of the law which applies to Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, it has long been the UK government's view that Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is governed by the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, to which Israel is a state party. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and we have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation.

Palestinian citizens of Israel have full citizenship rights, including voting in elections. However, we are aware that Palestinians who live in East Jerusalem do not enjoy the same rights. We regularly raise issues related to the situation in East Jerusalem, for example evictions and demolitions of property as well as revocation of residency rights, with the Israeli authorities and the Jerusalem municipality. It has been the position of the UK government since 1967 that the Occupied Palestinian Territories (the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza) are not lawfully part of the State of Israel. The Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Italy, the Foreign Secretary of the UK, and the Secretary of State of the US set out on 14 February in a statement their support for a "comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East, which must be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties.

The UK's position on settlements is clear, as set out in a statement made by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Italy, the Foreign Secretary of the UK, and the Secretary of State of the US on 14 February . They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. We urge Israel to halt its settlement expansion. The UK remains committed to a two-state solution, as I made clear in my meetings with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki, during my visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 10-13 January.

The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. We continue to stress to the Israeli authorities the damage that their restrictions on movement, access and trade are doing to the living standards of Palestinians as well as the impact on religious harmony. The UK remains committed to a two-state solution, as I made clear during my visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 10-13 January.

The UK is firmly committed to ensuring access to education for all Palestinians. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation. It is essential to have a strong and thriving Palestinian education system in order to provide opportunities, economic development and hope for the next generation. I reinforced this message during my visit to a UK donor funded school facing demolition on 12 January, and urged Israel to desist demolitions and evictions which cause unnecessary suffering to Palestinians and, in all but the most exceptional of cases, violate International Humanitarian Law.

The UK has repeatedly made clear to Israel our longstanding opposition about the manner in which the Israel Defence Forces use lethal force, particularly in the policing of non-violent protests and the border areas. We encourage them to carry out swift, transparent and thorough investigations and, if wrongdoing is found, that those responsible be held to account. We will continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, as I made clear during my visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 10-13 January.

The Prime Minister spoke to the new Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to congratulate him on his election victory and are already working with the new government of Israel on the next chapter of UK-Israel relations. We continue to call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and we have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation of the Palestinian territories. I reinforced this message during my visit to Israel and the OPTs on 10-13 January.

We regularly raise the issue of Palestinians killed and injured by Israeli Defence Forces in the West Bank and Gaza with the Israeli authorities. We encourage them to carry out swift, transparent and thorough investigations and, if wrongdoing is found, that those responsible be held to account. We will continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the need to protect children, and urge restraint in the use of live fire. The UK remains committed to a two-state solution, as I made clear during my visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 10-13 January.

The UK continues to engage with the Israeli government on human rights issues in the context of the occupation, including the treatment of children. In instances where there have been accusations of excessive use of force, we have advocated for swift, transparent and thorough investigations and, if wrongdoing is found, that those responsible be held to account. We will continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the need to protect children, and urge restraint in the use of live fire. The UK remains committed to a two-state solution, as I made clear during my visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 10-13 January.

We are aware of the verdict on this case and are monitoring closely. During her visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestine Territories in June 2022 the Minister for the Middle East, Amanda Milling, met with human rights defenders, journalists and civil society organisations to discuss the pressures they face. The Minister emphasised the UK's strong support for freedom of speech and media freedom. We continue to value the important role civil society plays in upholding human rights and democracy.

We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation, including the treatment of Palestinian children. We continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the need to protect children. We also regularly raise the importance of the Israeli security force's adherence to the principles of necessity and proportionality when defending its legitimate security interest.

We are aware of this case and are monitoring closely. The UK regularly raises the issue of settler violence with the Government of Israel. We welcome discussion by the Israeli authorities on how to address this issue, and urge Israel to bring those responsible to justice. We continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population.

We are aware of the UN Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry report on 9 May. The UK is committed to making progress towards a two-state solution. We firmly believe a just and lasting resolution that ends the occupation and delivers peace for both Israelis and Palestinians is long overdue. We will continue to press Israel and the Palestinians strongly on the need to refrain from taking actions, which make peace more difficult.

All countries, including Israel, have a legitimate right to self-defence, and the right to defend their citizens from attack. In doing so, it is vital that all actions are proportionate, in line with International Humanitarian Law, and are calibrated to avoid civilian casualties. We call on Israel to adhere to the principles of necessity and proportionality when defending its legitimate security interest.

We continue to reiterate the importance of all forms of freedom of expression and free speech to both the Government of Israel and Palestinian Authority. We continue to appreciate the vital work that human rights defenders and civil society play in holding the authorities to account.

Settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the physical viability of the two-state solution. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation.

We are monitoring this issue closely and engaging the Israeli Authorities to understand their application and potential implications. As a friend of Israel, we have a regular dialogue on human rights. We continue to stress to the Israeli authorities the damage that their restrictions on movement, access and trade are doing to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians.

The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. The UK condemns all attacks on the right to freedom of religion or belief. Israel is a thriving democracy, and has made clear its commitment to freedom of religion. We encourage the Israeli Government to do all it can to uphold the values of equality for all enshrined in its laws.

During a call with the Israeli Ambassador on 19 May, Minister Milling made clear the UK's sadness at the recent death of Shireen Abu Aqleh and the deeply disturbing scenes at her funeral in Jerusalem. She urged a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the events. The UK Ambassador to Israel has reiterated the importance of an investigation with the Israeli authorities. We call for urgent steps to de-escalate tensions and for restraint in the use of force. The safety of journalists across the globe is vital and they must be protected when carrying out their critical work.

The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions and evictions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. Our opposition to the demolition of Palestinian property and the evictions of Palestinians from their homes is long-standing. We call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation.