War in Gaza

Apsana Begum Excerpts

Tuesday 7th May 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Mitchell]

I do not recognise the early part of the hon. Lady’s question, but let me assure her, as I have assured the House in the past, that we are doing everything we can to address the dreadful situation that she has so eloquently articulated.

[Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab)]

The Minister’s reply on 17 April to my written question referred to wanting

“to see Israel take greater care to limit its operations to military targets”.

Can he confirm that he is finally aware that Israel has not limited its onslaught to military targets? Given that the Government’s own licensing criteria refer to the

“risk that the items might be used to…facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law…or serious acts of violence against women or children”,

how can continuing to arm Israel in its bombardment of Palestinian civilians possibly be justified?

[Mr Mitchell]

The hon. Lady refers to a number of early incidents, which have been condemned. She will know that, in respect of each of those incidents, the Government have said that we want an independent and credible investigation and transparent conclusions, so that we know why and how those acts took place.