King’s Speech

Baroness Blackstone Excerpts

Thursday 21st May 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blackstone (Lab)]

My Lords, next year, the UK will host the G20 as its president, and the gracious Speech refers to the Government’s aim to use it to “reinforce global stability”. Today, I will focus on the Middle East and the need to rein in the Israeli Government if we are to create that stability.

Along with the US, the Israeli Government have embarked on one of the most reckless, ill-thought-out wars in recent history, with dire consequences for the global economy, the environment and the security of the region, as the noble Lord, Lord Lamont, set out. The Prime Minister was right in refusing to allow the use of British bases in mounting the attack on Iran. The Netanyahu Government concomitantly started a war in Lebanon that has killed many civilians and has occupied the south of the country. The ceasefire there, which the US eventually demanded, has been broken almost daily as the Israeli Government act with impunity. The ceasefire in Gaza is also in name only. Since its announcement, more than 600 Palestinians, many women and children, have been killed.

As 90% of the infrastructure has been destroyed, most Gazans live in tents, denied sanitation, adequate food and water and medical supplies because there is still insufficient access for the convoys. Again, the Israeli Government act with impunity. It is horrifying that they have moved to deregister international NGOs from operating in Gaza so that Gazans are denied the humanitarian services they desperately need. While Gaza remains an uninhabitable wasteland, no progress is being made in its reconstruction. What action are the UK Government taking to try to get this started?

Turning to the 60-year occupation of the West Bank, the UK Government rightly accept that it is illegal, as was confirmed by the ICJ in 2024. Meanwhile, the Israeli Government are pursuing a policy of annexation there, having encouraged over 100 new settlements, with some 750,000 settlers, on land which was owned by or is designated for Palestinians. House demolitions and ethnic cleansing, the theft of water and other resources, and vicious and unpunished settler violence are all commonplace. Again, the Israeli Government act with impunity.

Last year, the UK recognised the State of Palestine as a first step towards its implementation. The Israeli Government have announced their opposition and take steps to prevent it, despite widespread international support for a two-state solution in which the rights of Palestinians to self-determination are recognised. It is surely hypocritical to back two states yet to stand by while this progress is blocked. Can the Minister say what actions the UK is taking? Condemnation alone is not enough while the Israeli security Cabinet registers Palestinian land as Israeli state property. Annexation is a flagrant breach of international law.

As the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Southwark touched on, the Israeli aim to bury the two-state solution by building the E1 settlement is unacceptable. Taking land designated for a future Palestinian state and making it unviable must be challenged. So will the Government warn that companies which bid for construction contracts there will put at risk their commercial interests in the UK? Will the Government also introduce a comprehensive ban on trade with illegal settlements, including services and investment as well as goods? Such trade prolongs unlawful occupation.

Finally, will the Government work with our EU partners in reconsidering the trade agreements with Israel? The EU and UK agreements have both been breached by the Israeli Government’s failure to respect human rights and democratic principles. It would also be helpful to hear the Government’s response to a letter in the Financial Times that was signed by 60 former UK ambassadors, which covered many of the issues that I have raised. Please will the Government demonstrate leadership on these issues in the run-up to the G20—in the interests of justice and peace in the Middle East?