Israel: Palestinian Hunger Strikers

Debate between Lord Howell of Guildford and Lord Palmer of Childs Hill

Tuesday 15th May 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord Howell of Guildford]

I do not know enough about precise cause and effect but I certainly agree with the noble Lord that the settlements issue is a really sore point—a really poisonous one, if you like. We regard the extension of the settlements as illegal and settlement activities that press into Palestine as unhelpful and illegal. I agree with the noble Lord that if that were to stop, it would certainly open some of the doors to a negotiation.

[Lord Palmer of Childs Hill]

My Lords, the history of the Middle East—

Israel and Palestine

Debate between Lord Howell of Guildford and Lord Palmer of Childs Hill

Thursday 3rd March 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Howell of Guildford]

I strongly agree and I am very pleased to hear the noble Lord, whose views I greatly respect and who has stood up often as a somewhat lone voice in public affairs in these matters, say what he has just said. It is an extremely valuable contribution.

[Lord Palmer of Childs Hill]

Does the Minister agree that the civil unrest referred to in the Question was started in Tunisia by an unemployed guy being refused a licence to sell vegetables and that the people in countries with unrest at the moment are more concerned with their civil and economic rights than with the Israel-Palestine issue?

[Lord Howell of Guildford]

The noble Lord is right to say that the effects of civil unrest are rippling through the entire region, both north Africa and the Levant, and even touching the Gulf states. These are very important matters, but I do not think that he would disagree that one problem is the continuous poison, as it were, of the Israeli-Palestine dispute and that, if that could be settled, we would at least be on the way forward.