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Written Question
Gaza: Health Professions
Thursday 19th December 2024

Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps is he taking to help ensure that (a) protections under international humanitarian law for medical professionals in Gaza are upheld and (b) people who violate such protections are held to account.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

It is unacceptable that over 1000 health workers have reportedly been killed since 7 October 2023. Israel must do more to protect civilians and those working to support those in such desperate need. The UK has raised protection of civilians and the destruction of health infrastructure repeatedly with the Israeli government, including on 5 November when I underlined our grave concern to Israel's Ambassador about repeated strikes on Kamal Adwan hospital. This government is clear that International Humanitarian Law must be upheld, and civilians protected. The UK is fully committed to international law and fully respects the independence of the International Court of Justice and of the International Criminal Court. We have suspended relevant export licences to Israel following a review that concluded there is a clear risk that UK export items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of International Humanitarian Law.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 18 Dec 2024
Oral Answers to Questions

Speech Link

View all Ben Lake (PC - Ceredigion Preseli) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions

Written Question
Mohammed Hamouda
Tuesday 17th December 2024

Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 15678 on Mohammed Hamouda, what information he has received on Dr Hamouda’s (a) status and (b) well-being.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are concerned by the reports that Dr. Mohammed Hamouda was detained by the Israeli authorities on 6 November. I raised his case with the Israeli Ambassador on 18 November and FCDO officials have been following up the case since then. Whilst we do not comment on specific non-UK national cases, the government does raise International Humanitarian Law compliance regularly with Israel. Medical staff must be allowed to carry out their work unimpeded, and to travel around Gaza as needed.


Written Question
Gaza: Health Professions
Tuesday 17th December 2024

Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps is he taking to tackle (a) detention and (b) mistreatment of healthcare workers in Gaza.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Medical workers and facilities, including ambulances and rescue personnel, must be protected in accordance with International Humanitarian Law and allowed to provide life-saving services. It is unacceptable that northern Gaza now has no functioning hospitals, after strikes on Kamal Adwan hospital. On 5 November, when I spoke to the Israeli Ambassador, I raised the UK's grave concerns that Kamal Adwan continues to come under fire. This government has been clear that Israel must do much more to protect civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian workers, and Israel must allow medical staff to carry out their work unimpeded, and to travel around Gaza as needed.


Division Vote (Commons)
17 Dec 2024 - National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Ben Lake (PC) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 3 Plaid Cymru Aye votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 195 Noes - 353
Division Vote (Commons)
17 Dec 2024 - National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Ben Lake (PC) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 3 Plaid Cymru No votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 354 Noes - 202
Division Vote (Commons)
17 Dec 2024 - National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Ben Lake (PC) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 3 Plaid Cymru Aye votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 196 Noes - 352
Division Vote (Commons)
17 Dec 2024 - National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Ben Lake (PC) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 3 Plaid Cymru Aye votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 353
Division Vote (Commons)
17 Dec 2024 - National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Ben Lake (PC) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 3 Plaid Cymru Aye votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 100 Noes - 351
Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 16 Dec 2024
Israel and Palestine

Speech Link

View all Ben Lake (PC - Ceredigion Preseli) contributions to the debate on: Israel and Palestine