Iran-Israel Update

Baroness Winterton of Doncaster Excerpts

Monday 15th April 2024 Commons Chamber

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton)]

Order. I am anxious to get everybody in, so I plead for brevity in the questions.

[Jack Lopresti (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Con)]

I place on the record my condolences to the Speaker and his family.

I commend the Prime Minister for his statement and the leadership he has shown. Given this despicable attack on the civilian population of Israel by Iran, does he agree with me that the world cannot risk a nuclear-armed Iran? Will he commit to supporting whatever it takes, including not taking military action off the table, to ensure that that nightmare never happens?

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton)]

I say once again that I am anxious to get everyone in, but I can only do that if the questions are brief.

[Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Ind)]

Thirty-three thousand people have died in Gaza. More bombs have been dropped there than were dropped in the whole of the Iraq war. This weekend’s horrific events show the danger of a war escalating across the whole region. Does the Prime Minister recognise that the kernel of the whole issue across the region is the continued Israeli occupation of Palestine? What does he say about bringing an end to that occupation, and calling for a permanent ceasefire?

--- Later in debate ---

[The Prime Minister]

No, I do not believe that is necessary. I am obviously here answering questions. It is my job to take action where I believe it is necessary, and it is the job of Parliament to hold me accountable for that. But it was right that we moved quickly to respond to an immediate and dangerous threat. Publicising any action in advance would undermine the effectiveness of the operation. We acted in line with precedent, and we have also made very clear and public statements that we will not hesitate to protect our allies.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton)]

I thank the Prime Minister for his statement. I suspect there will be a slight change of personnel before the next statement.