Chris Law

As set out in the Foreign Secretary's statement to Parliament on 2 September 2024, following consideration of the detailed International Humanitarian Law (IHL) assessment, he concluded, and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade agreed, that there is a clear risk that military exports to Israel, where used for military operations in Gaza, might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of IHL. That assessment includes components exported to the global F-35 programme that will ultimately be used in Israeli F-35s. In accordance with the Strategic Export Licencing Criteria (SELC), licences for items we assess might be used to carry out or facilitate Israeli military operations in the Gaza conflict have therefore been suspended.

However, as set out in the Secretary of State for Business and Trade's statement, it is not currently possible to suspend licensing of F35 components for use by Israel without prejudicing the entire global F35 programme, including its broader strategic role in NATO and our support to Ukraine. Therefore, as announced to Parliament in that statement, the Foreign Secretary advised and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade agreed, that to ensure international peace and security it was necessary to take the specific measure of excluding exports to the F-35 program from the scope of the suspension, but this exclusion should not in principle apply to licences for F-35 components which could be identified as going to Israel. Departing from the Strategic Export Licencing Criteria to exclude F-35 licences from the scope of the suspension decision is consistent with HMG's published policy, which states that the application of the SELC is "without prejudice to the application to specific cases of specific measures as may be announced to Parliament from time to time."

All spending plans will be determined through the ongoing spending review process.

The FCDO supports the safety of humanitarian workers by investing in protective measures that our partners need to safely work, championing International Humanitarian Law, and using UK seats at key multilateral fora to raise awareness and promote accountability. The Minister for Development reinforces these efforts through bilateral and diplomatic engagement, including in meetings with multilateral organisations and senior government representatives from other countries where humanitarian workers are at risk. In addition, the UK co-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 2730, which reaffirms parties' obligations under international law to protect all humanitarian personnel as well as humanitarian premises and assets. This resolution also establishes a regular reporting mechanism to: highlight the issue at the Security Council, provide recommendations on measures to protect and enhance the safety and security of humanitarian personnel, and promote accountability for unlawful attacks.

Since Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu's arrest in July 2023, the UK has consistently advocated for appropriate medical access and treatment, and the right to a fair legal process. Following his arrest, the UK released a joint statement with the US, France and Germany calling for the Azerbaijani government to protect the freedoms and human rights of its citizens, including Dr Ibadoghlu: https://twitter.com/ukinazerbaijan/status/1684428817333383168?s=20 .

The UK also raised these concerns during Azerbaijan's Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in November 2023. The UK has consistently called on the Azerbaijani Government to protect the freedoms and human rights of all of its citizens, and we will continue to work to ensure Dr Ibadoghlu's rights are upheld.

Since Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu's arrest in July 2023, the UK has consistently advocated for appropriate medical access and treatment, and the right to a fair legal process. Following his arrest, the UK released a joint statement with the US, France and Germany calling for the Azerbaijani government to protect the freedoms and human rights of its citizens, including Dr Ibadoghlu: https://twitter.com/ukinazerbaijan/status/1684428817333383168?s=20 .

The UK also raised these concerns during Azerbaijan's Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in November 2023. The UK has consistently called on the Azerbaijani Government to protect the freedoms and human rights of all of its citizens, and we will continue to work to ensure Dr Ibadoghlu's rights are upheld.

Along with our international partners, we continue to urge Azerbaijan to improve human rights protections for all its citizens. Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 in November provides the country with an opportunity to demonstrate meaningful action in this regard to the world. The UK remains concerned at the increased number of detentions of independent journalists, human rights defenders and civil society representatives over the last year. The UK government is clear that freedom of expression is the foundation of an open, pluralistic society, and must be respected.

Along with our international partners, we continue to urge Azerbaijan to improve human rights protections for all its citizens. Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 in November provides the country with an opportunity to demonstrate meaningful action in this regard to the world. The UK remains concerned at the increased number of detentions of independent journalists, human rights defenders and civil society representatives over the last year. The UK government is clear that freedom of expression is the foundation of an open, pluralistic society, and must be respected.

The UK government remains concerned by reports of serious allegations of severe acts of ill-treatment and torture in prisons in Azerbaijan. In line with international human rights law, we continue to urge the authorities to ensure those in detention are: i) treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, ii) afforded a fair trial and iii) provided safe conditions. Our Embassy in Baku will continue to raise this with the government of Azerbaijan.

The UK government remains concerned at reports of serious allegations of severe acts of ill-treatment and torture in prisons in Azerbaijan. We continue to urge the authorities to ensure that those in detention are treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, in line with international human rights law, and that those in detention are afforded a fair trial and are provided safe conditions, in accordance with Azerbaijan's international obligations and commitments.

We are working through the UK co-chaired Taskforce on Access to Climate Finance, which includes the new UK-funded Centre for Access to Climate Finance, and through the UK-convened Climate & Development Ministerial process to press for better tracking of finance delivered to climate vulnerable countries. The Taskforce's Principles and Recommendations are clear that climate finance should be more transparent and yield measurable progress towards delivering recipient countries' climate capabilities and goals.

UK International Climate Finance (ICF) is delivered through a range of multilateral, multi-donor and bilateral programmes, many of which operate across more than one country. Including only bilateral programmes that operate in identified fragile and conflict affected states (based on World Bank analysis) the UK spent £98 million ICF in 2021/22 and £56 million ICF in 2022/23. Figures for 2023/24 are not yet finalised.

At COP28 the UK pledged up to £40 million in funding for the newly established Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FrLD). UK officials are working with other members of the FrLD board, the World Bank and civil society, to quickly establish an efficient and effective fund that delivers for those who are particularly vulnerable to the worst impacts of climate change. We are working through the Board to finalise arrangements to enable donors to make payments into the Fund. Our wider priorities for L&D funding are in line with our broader commitments on aid spending and climate finance.

The UK welcomed the IDC's report on Tackling violence against aid workers. Its recommendations are closely aligned with the UK's approach to this issue. This includes multi-year funding for the International NGO Safety Organization to support risk analysis and safety advice for frontline agencies, as well as research into the impacts of attacks on female health care workers in armed conflict. The FCDO works to leverage UK diplomatic reach and influence to enhance humanitarian access and the protection of humanitarian personnel. The UK also used its seat at the UN Security Council to co-sponsor UNSCR 2730 which reaffirms states' obligations under International Law to protect humanitarian personnel and promotes accountability for unlawful attacks.

The UK, the UN and other states use the findings of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report extensively. The persisting high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition are concerning. We are committed to addressing these, working alongside partners to provide immediate humanitarian support, tackle the causes of food insecurity and malnutrition, and leverage UK-funded science and technology expertise for more climate-resilient food systems. At the G20 Development Ministers Meeting in July, I announced the UK would join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty to lift ambition, ensure better international coordination, and unlock much-needed finance.

We are harnessing more and better-deployed finance for food, agriculture and nutrition. At the G20 Development Ministers Meeting in July, I announced the UK would join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty to work in partnership to unlock much needed finance. We also support the G7 Apulia Food Systems Initiative which seeks to improve public and private funding for food security. We work to unlock climate finance, push multilateral development banks to stretch their balance sheets, provide technical assistance and finance to bring in more private sector investment, and support the reform of subsidies for more sustainable agriculture.

The Foreign Secretary has committed to being transparent when making decisions on IHL assessments. As soon as the Foreign Secretary took office, he commissioned new advice on Israel's compliance with IHL, in the context of the war in Gaza. This decision on IHL, and the Government's decision on the related issue of arms exports, will be made public when the process is complete.

The UK's position remains the same, we are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a key step in the path to a two-state solution. Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. It is not in the gift of any neighbour and is also essential to the long-term security of Israel. We will recognise a Palestinian State as a contribution to a peace process to deliver a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

International Humanitarian Law provides for the protection of civilians and civilian objects, which includes water supply. Israel must take steps working with humanitarian agencies to fully restore water supplies and to significantly increase the flow of aid into and through Gaza. We have consistently raised water supplies and the opening of vital water lines with Israel throughout the conflict. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel on 14-15 July, he made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other interlocutors that Israel must meet its commitment to "flood Gaza with aid".

We have been clear that the government must uphold both our domestic and international legal obligations when it comes to arms exports as set out in the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. As soon as the Foreign Secretary took office he commissioned a review of International Humanitarian Law in relation to operations in Gaza. That review process is underway and requires careful consideration. The Foreign Secretary will make public his decision on Israel's compliance as soon as that process is complete.

The FCDO does not routinely make estimates of this information over these timescales. We are aware, however, of a number of aid organisations based in Gaza whose operations have been curtailed or damaged by Israeli military action since 7 October, including 57 organisation that had been given grants by the UK for a total amount of £600,000 through the FCDO Private Sector Support Programme.

Since 7 October the UK has also provided £19,750,000 to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Occupied Palestinian Territories pooled fund, which is used to support critical responses to emerging needs through UN agencies, INGOs and NGOs. OCHA has published data (which is publicly available) on demolitions, evictions, confiscations, and other related incidents since 2009.

The FCDO does not routinely make estimates of this information over these timescales. We are aware, however, of a number of aid organisations based in Gaza whose operations have been curtailed or damaged by Israeli military action since 7 October, including 57 organisation that had been given grants by the UK for a total amount of £600,000 through the FCDO Private Sector Support Programme.

Since 7 October the UK has also provided £19,750,000 to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Occupied Palestinian Territories pooled fund, which is used to support critical responses to emerging needs through UN agencies, INGOs and NGOs. OCHA has published data (which is publicly available) on demolitions, evictions, confiscations, and other related incidents since 2009.

International Humanitarian Law provides for the protection of civilians and civilian objects, which includes water supply. Israel must take steps working with humanitarian agencies to fully restore water supplies and to significantly increase the flow of aid into and through Gaza. We have consistently raised water supplies and the opening of vital water lines with Israel throughout the conflict. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel on 14-15 July, he made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other interlocutors that Israel must meet its commitment to "flood Gaza with aid".