Oral Answers to Questions

David Linden Excerpts

Tuesday 30th January 2024 Commons Chamber

[Naz Shah (Bradford West) (Lab)]

6. What plans the Government have to recognise a Palestinian state.

[David Linden (Glasgow East) (SNP)]

11. What recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of the recognition of a Palestinian state.

[Chris Law (Dundee West) (SNP)]

13. What recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of the recognition of a Palestinian state.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Mitchell]

I have not seen the motion tabled by the SNP—and I probably would not agree with it if I had. We are always focused on addressing the points that the hon. Lady has made. When it comes to the International Court of Justice, and indeed international humanitarian law, the Government’s view is not the same as hers, but she may rest assured that we keep these things under very close review.

[David Linden]

There is now a live ongoing investigation by the ICJ into genocide in Gaza. Given the British Government’s reluctance thus far to recognise the state of Palestine, does the Minister not understand that failure to do so will soon result in the UK Government just recognising a cemetery?

[Mr Mitchell]

The Government’s position—and indeed, I believe, the position of those on the Opposition Front Bench—has always been clear: we should recognise the state of Palestine when the time is right. The Foreign Secretary last night added some further words to that commitment, but that is the commitment of the British Government.