Oral Answers to Questions

Diana Johnson Excerpts

Tuesday 15th June 2021 Commons Chamber

[Hilary Benn (Leeds Central) (Lab)]

What recent assessment he has made of the prospects for a two-state solution in the Middle East.

[Dame Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)]

If he will support the creation of the International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace.

[Peter Gibson (Darlington) (Con)]

What diplomatic steps he is taking to support peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

--- Later in debate ---

[James Cleverly]

We congratulate the new Government on their formation and look forward to working with them in pursuit of the almost universally held goal in this House and across the international community of having a secure, sovereign, prosperous Palestinian state alongside a secure and stable and safe Israeli state. Ultimately it is for the Government of Israel to make decisions about these policies, but, as has been the long-standing position of the UK Government, we will work to support any and all actions which are complementary to or part of the process towards making that sustainable two-state solution through political negotiations a reality.

[Dame Diana Johnson [V]]

Despite hosting the G7 in Cornwall this weekend, the Government have yet again missed the opportunity to make global Britain a reality in the middle east by not seizing the initiative for UK leadership of the international fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Why did the Government pass over that opportunity, and is there any prospect of the UK stepping up and leading that exciting new project with the United States?

[James Cleverly]

I pay tribute to the right hon. Lady for her passion for finding a peaceful resolution to this situation; it is our shared goal. As I said in my answer, we will look at the detail of what this programme seeks to deliver, and as yet all the details are not available to us. We have always looked favourably on programmes that bring about peace but we want to make sure that they are effective and, as I have said, once we have more details we will assess our contribution or collaboration.