Israel and Palestine

Cat Eccles Excerpts

Tuesday 8th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Ed Miliband]

I send my deepest condolences to the family of my hon. Friend’s constituent. What happened was a horrifying event. Those were people trying to make a difference in a humanitarian way to the people of Gaza. I will endeavour to talk to her, along with the Minister for the Middle East, about whether we can do more on that issue and what that might be.

[Cat Eccles (Stourbridge) (Lab)]

I welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement and the moral courage the Government are showing to sanction trade with the occupied territories and condemn expanding illegal settlements. The Israeli state will not listen to the UK alone, and collaboration with global partners gives the strongest leverage. Will he say some more about how he is acting alongside international colleagues to demonstrate co-ordinated opposition to illegal settlements and human rights atrocities and reinforce international support for the two-state solution?

[Ed Miliband]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. It is the coalition of countries that we have, as well as our actions, that gives us hope that we can actually make a difference on this issue, both substantively in relation to sanctions and on all of the humanitarian issues that so many Members have raised.