Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking towards establishing a multilateral financing facility to address loss and damage caused by climate change prior to the conclusion of the Glasgow Dialogue in June 2024.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The UK agrees with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that global action to adapt to the changing climate has been insufficient. We recognise how urgent and important it is to ensure countries most vulnerable to climate change can respond to the risks they face, to help avert and minimise loss and damage.
At COP26, the UK strongly supported the establishment of a 'Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage' to discuss the arrangements for the funding of activities to avert, minimise and address loss and damage. The Santiago Network (a platform for catalysing technical assistance on loss and damage for developing countries) was also progressed through agreement on functions and funding. The UK is an active participant in the Glasgow Dialogue and Santiago Network up to COP27 and looking towards COP28.
Information on UK action on adaptation, losses and damages is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-action-to-support-countries-avert-minimise-and-address-the-risk-of-loss-and-damage-from-climate-change-discussion-paper. We intend to update this note following COP27.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 7 June (HL454), whether they have raised the specific case of Mohammed Ghassan Ahmad Mansour with the government of Israel.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
While we have not raised this specific case, we continue to call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue on legal issues relating to the occupation, including the treatment of Palestinian children. Officials from the British Embassy in Tel Aviv raise this issue regularly with the Israeli Ministry of Justice, stressing the importance that the authorities either charge or release detainees. We remain committed to working with Israel to secure improvements to the practices surrounding children in detention.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) report UNOCHA Protection of Civilians Report 31 May – 13 June 2022, published on 17 June, which lists the (1) killings, (2) injuries, (3) raids, and (4) displacement, of Palestinian people by Israeli (a) forces, and (b) settlers, in the West Bank.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of the report. We continue to urge thorough and transparent investigations into the deaths of Palestinian civilians, and call for restraint in the use of force. We are clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions and forced evictions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law and we condemn any incidence of violence by settlers against Palestinians. On 22 June Minister Milling travelled to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) where she discussed the increasing level of violence in the OPTs with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Roll.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent reports from Save the Children and Medical Aid for Palestine, which found that (1) four out of five children living in Gaza are suffering from depression, grief and fear following 15 years of Israeli blockade, and (2) those children and young people’s mental health was also linked to a lack of access to services, such as healthcare.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK continues to monitor the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the impact of Israel's movement and access restrictions on civilians. The UK has provided £2 million to UNICEF and over £27 million to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in 2021 to help the most vulnerable people in Gaza, especially children to continue their education, meet their basic needs, and hopefully to fulfil their potential. We must continue to address immediate humanitarian needs in Gaza, and work towards a longer-term solution for recovery and reconstruction.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 4 June (HL421), what representations they will make to the government of Israel to deter the expulsion of Palestinians from the Masafer Yatta area of the West Bank.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are monitoring developments at Masafer Yatta closely given the increased risk of the forced transfer of over 1000 Palestinians, and the demolition of their homes. 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 to Palestinians and is harmful to efforts to promote peace. Minister Milling met with Palestinian families affected by the ongoing demolition and eviction orders at Masafer Yatta during her visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and raised our concerns on the impact with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Roll on 22 June.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel about the reported arrest of a Palestinian child by Israeli forces during this year’s Jerusalem flag march.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are concerned about the security situation in Jerusalem and look to all parties to take steps to de-escalate tensions. Israel's extensive use of administrative detention, according to international law, should be used only when security makes this absolutely necessary. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue on legal issues relating to the occupation, including the treatment of Palestinian children.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel about the reported arrest of a Palestinian child by Israeli security forces in the West Bank on 29 May, for throwing rocks.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are concerned about the security situation in Jerusalem and look to all parties to take steps to de-escalate tensions. Israel's extensive use of administrative detention, according to international law, should be used only when security makes this absolutely necessary. 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.