Oral Answers to Questions

Anne McGuire Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd July 2014 Commons Chamber

[Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab)]

1. What assessment he has made of whether the recent use of force by the Israelis in Gaza is proportionate; and what steps he is taking to promote a ceasefire in that conflict.

[Mrs Anne McGuire (Stirling) (Lab)]

2. What steps his Department is taking to support projects which foster co-operation and co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians.

[Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab)]

11. What recent discussions he has had with his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts and others on the continuing violence and loss of life in Gaza.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Ellwood]

Nobody can fail but be moved by the incredible heart-wrenching scenes we have seen on television. I spoke to the Israeli ambassador and the Palestinian head of mission to the UK yesterday, and I raised concerns about the civilian deaths and casualties with the Israeli ambassador and urged him to ensure that any allegations relating to proportionality be investigated, and he assured me that this would be the case.

[Mrs McGuire]

We realise that peace is not just about a settlement between Governments, but about people living together. I know that the Foreign Office invests significant resources in single community projects, but in order to build up confidence and break down barriers between the peoples in the region will the Minister look at how we can support cross-community initiatives?

[Mr Ellwood]

The right hon. Lady is right to point out that there are some wider issues to be dealt with. Our aim is to support and strengthen constituencies for peace through the tri-departmental conflict pool fund. In 2013-14 we funded 17 projects through the conflict pool programme for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, with a budget of £4 million.