Palestinian Refugees

Debate between Baroness Janke and Lord Lemos

Thursday 13th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Janke (LD)]

My Lords, in light of President Trump’s comments about the removal of Palestinians from Gaza, do the Government believe that the Palestinians should be given the right to return to their homes there, and what action are the Government taking about the forceable removal of Palestinians and displacement within the Gaza Strip and the Occupied Territories?

[Lord Lemos (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness for that question. I have already talked about the final status arrangements that we hope for in relation to the Palestinian refugees. She asks about the right of return; the UK supports a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees, in line with UN Security Council resolutions. In practice, this means that the right of return is a final status issue that must be agreed in negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, but with support from neighbouring countries and the international community, including the UK, and compatible with two states for two peoples.