Middle East
Debate between Lord Lemos and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Lord Lemos (Lab)
My Lords, perhaps I can answer the question first. The noble Lord raised two issues in relation to Hezbollah; let me try to deal with those. We have made our position clear on Hezbollah. He takes the view that the only people who can deal with Hezbollah are Israel, but we do need to see progress on its actions in Lebanon and we will continue to support the Lebanese Government. We think that is the right thing to do. I am sorry if the noble Lord does not agree with that, but we do think it is the right thing to do.
With regard to Israel, I hope—I was going to say my noble friend, and I think he is my noble friend in some ways—my noble friend Lord Austin would not include me or any of my remarks in what he said about Parliament and Israel, and I do not entirely concur, frankly. I do think, though—and, to this extent, I agree with him very strongly—that we should watch our language and mind our words. People do watch out for and listen to what we say, both here and in the other place, and I would not want to endorse the view that Israel should be held to higher standards than other countries. But it is a very concerning situation and, as I said in response to the noble Lord, Lord Callanan, we are supporters of Israel.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con)
My Lords, I draw attention to my entry in the register on the Middle East and conflict resolution. Perhaps I could push the Minister further on the issue of Lebanon raised by my noble friend Lord Callanan. The United Kingdom, as he rightly acknowledged, has a long-standing support for Lebanon and the Lebanese armed forces. During the last visit I made with the then Foreign Secretary, my noble friend Lord Cameron, to Lebanon, President Aoun—who was then General Aoun of the Lebanese armed forces—requested uniforms and training. These things are required now; they should not be requiring consideration. I press the Minister: what specific support are we giving in support of Resolution 1701 of the UN Security Council, with Britain playing its part and exercising its levers? I am also a bit concerned by the fact that there has been no high-level engagement—visits to Israel and to the Occupied Palestinian Territories— since 2024. We must engage with the Government of Israel to ensure that we see long-term peace and stability in the region. At the moment, I cannot see that happening.
Lord Lemos (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord and pay tribute to his experience and track record in this area. On the question of the practical help that we should be offering to Lebanon and the Lebanese army, I am very happy to accept his challenge. If there are practical things we can do, we should be doing them. That is absolutely right. I will take that back to the department and find out exactly what the situation is. That does not seem to me at all inconsistent with where the Government stand on this.
On the question of discussions with Israel, the noble Lord will know that in the current situation these things are extremely difficult. But we will keep talking to all the parties involved. We have a significant role in the various groups that have been set up around all these conflicts and we will continue to be part of that, including talking to Israel.
Anti-Muslim Hostility: Non-statutory Definition
Debate between Lord Lemos and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon(3 months ago)
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Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Lemos) (Lab)
We will hear from the Conservative Benches.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con)
My Lords, to build on the Question from the noble and right reverend Lord, Lord Harries, of course the Minister will be aware that the previous Government back in 2016—I know because I was instrumental in that—brought in the specific crime of anti-Muslim hatred, but the approach they took was one of inclusivity; that is, it was not just for one faith but for ensuring that all religious hate crime could be reported. Indeed, the statistics we have now reflect that. I respect very much Dominic Grieve, who I worked with very closely. How will this definition fit in specifically? The second element is on education and ensuring that hate crimes are reported and accurately recorded.
Diego Garcia and British Indian Ocean Territory
Debate between Lord Lemos and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon(3 months, 2 weeks ago)
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Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Lemos) (Lab)
My Lords, we will hear from the noble Baroness, Lady Foster, next.
Palestinian Refugees
Debate between Lord Lemos and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon(7 months ago)
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Lord Lemos (Lab)
I thank the noble Baroness for that question. I have already made clear the Government’s view on settlements in the West Bank. On sanctions, we do not give a running commentary on future sanctions, but I have already said what we have done in relation to that. On the other question the noble Baroness raises about trade and other links with the West Bank, our commitment is to work with international partners and multilateral institutions, and that, at this turbulent time, is a statement of principle in itself.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con)
My Lords, I draw attention to my entry in the register, particularly as an adviser to the Council of Arab Ambassadors.
In terms of statements and symbolism, the recognition of Palestine has now happened. But, in terms of specific influence, what levers are His Majesty’s Government exercising—particularly in direct negotiation with Israel and the leadership of the Palestinians—to ensure the 20-point plan, and what specific lever is the UK responsible for in the plan? The time window is closing. We do not need statements and symbolism; we need action.
Lord Lemos (Lab)
I totally agree with that question from the noble Lord and I am delighted he asked it. It is important that I make clear what the Government think are now the urgent priorities following the 20-point plan and our welcome for the ceasefire agreement led by President Trump. We want to move towards the disarming of Hamas and the UK has experience from Northern Ireland that we will deploy. We want to see the deployment of a ceasefire monitoring mission and an international security force, and the implementation of transitional governance arrangements in Gaza. I can tell the noble Lord, and indeed the whole House, that we have deployed UK civilian and military personnel to the Civil-Military Coordination Center that aims to co-ordinate reconstruction efforts across partners in Gaza. I hope the noble Lord will agree that we are doing everything we can for the moment.
Ethiopia and Eritrea
Debate between Lord Lemos and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon(8 months, 4 weeks ago)
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Lord Lemos (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord for that question. We are reducing ODA to the equivalent of 0.3% of GNI in order, as I think everyone knows, to fund defence spending at 2.5% of GDP by 2027. We remain committed to the 0.7% target when fiscal circumstances allow, as set out in the International Development Act. Reducing ODA now is a difficult but necessary decision to respond to the pressing security challenges. With regard to Ethiopia specifically, Ethiopia is a long-standing and important development partner to the UK and one of the largest recipients of UK ODA. Ensuring the protection of civilians is our top priority. Our ODA budget for Ethiopia is £161.7 million this year, making us one of the top three donors, and that gives us a great deal of influence with Ethiopia and in the wider region.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con)
My Lords, while I welcome the Minister to his position, I too align myself with the disappointment at the removal of the Minister for Africa. The noble Lord, Lord Collins, was doing a sterling job, and I express the disappointment from all sides of the House.
The Question is focused on the important issue of preventing sexual violence in conflict; for well over a decade, the UK showed leadership on that. We established an international alliance. Tigray was an area of key focus on the issue of accountability for acts of sexual violence, particularly against girls and women. In one clinic alone, over 100 victims of rape and sexual violence are being reported in Tigray. What assurance can the Minister give me that this will remain a priority and that, with high-level week at the UN upon us, the UK will use its long legacy and recognition of leadership on this issue in convening a meeting at a high level with Ministers during high-level week in New York?
Lord Lemos (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord. I too pay tribute to the noble Lord, Lord Collins, for his work and commitment. His commitment was extended to helping me with the answers to these questions, so I have benefited from his enormous experience and loyalty.
On the question of protecting women and girls from violence caused by conflict, the conflict in Tigray, as the noble Lord says, has left deep emotional and psychological wounds, particularly among women who have survived conflict-related sexual violence. Recognising the urgent need for trauma healing, the UK is providing direct funding to CARE International to support locally-led initiatives addressing this crisis. We are also working with partners to provide support to survivors of gender-based violence and provide humanitarian cash to the most vulnerable households in Amhara. Last year, we reached over 776,000 people in the region. We continue to encourage Eritrea to endorse the declaration of commitment to end sexual violence in conflict.