Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the formation of the new government of Israel on 29 December 2022, what assessment have they made of the compliance of the government of Israel with the Fourth Geneva convention of 1949 for those living within the Occupied Territories.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Defence for Children International (Palestine) Year-in-review: A deadly year for Palestinian children, published on 23 December 2022.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reported use of lethal force by Israeli forces in occupied territories to dispel civilian demonstrations.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the reported demolition of a primary school in Khirbet a-Safai al-Foqa in Masafer Yatta by Israeli forces and confiscation of its equipment in November 2022, what assessment they have made of whether the educational rights of Palestinian children under occupation by the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 are being upheld.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Israeli officials prevented Palestinian Christians in the occupied territories from accessing Christmas festivals in other occupied territories in December 2022.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning reports that several family members in Jenin were used as human shields by Israeli forces on 13 May.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding reports of Israeli authorities not intervening when Mr Ali Hasan Harb was attacked in the West Bank by an Israeli settler.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning the conviction of Mohammad El Halabi, a former head of World Vision's Gaza office, by an Israeli court of financing terrorism; and whether they share the concerns of the UN Human Rights Office about the court's reliance on secret evidence for their verdict.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the UN Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry report on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, published on 9 May; and in particular, the findings that Israel (1) has "no intention of ending the occupation", (2) is pursuing "complete control" over the Occupied Palestinian Territory, (3) needs to end the occupation, and (4) needs to ensure equal human rights for Palestinians.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reports that the bombing of Damascus International airport was directed by the government of Israel; and what representations, if any, they plan to make to the government of Israel about the incident.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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.