Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on the involvement of Palestinian terror groups in the recent violence in Israel and the West Bank.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
While it appears that the majority of the attacks seen in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in recent weeks have been carried out by individuals, without direct organisation from political or terrorist groups, we have seen media reports of Palestinian terrorist groups claiming responsibility for some recent attacks, praising attacks, and appearing to incite further violence. We condemn all the terrorist attacks, as I made clear in the House on 20 October, and in my statement on 13 October.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Iranian counterpart on the human rights situation in that country.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) most recently raised concerns about the Iranian human rights situation during his visit to Tehran on 23-24 August. The Foreign Secretary raised human rights issues during his meetings with President Rouhani, Foreign Minister Zarif and Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Larijani.Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Lebanese counterpart following the terror attacks by the al-Nusra Front in Tripoli.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
I discussed the issue of Lebanese security and stability with the Prime Minister and Speaker for Parliament when I visited the country in December. I made clear that the UK will continue to support Lebanon’s efforts to achieve peace and stability. We have allocated almost £20m to strengthening Lebanon’s borders and have been providing the Lebanese Armed Forces with practical equipment and training since 2012.
Our Ambassador to Lebanon condemned the terror attacks by the al-Nusra Front in Tripoli. He has since discussed the incident with senior members of the Lebanese Government, including the Prime Minister and Interior Minister, and affirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Lebanon in the fight against terrorism.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Turkish counterpart regarding the reported relocation of Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal to Turkey; and what steps he is taking to ensure that terrorist groups are not aided by a NATO member country.
Answered by David Lidington
We have had no discussions with the Turkish government regarding Khaled Meshaal's reported relocation to Turkey. We are aware of reports that Turkey maintains a dialogue with Hamas. We will, however, continue to call on Turkey and those in the region with influence over Hamas to press them to end armed violence and support reconciliation and peace talks with Israel.
We maintain a regular dialogue at all levels with the Turkish government on a range of terrorism threats. Turkey is a valued foreign policy and security partner to the UK.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the recent call by the Chief of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran for increased uranium enrichment.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We are aware of these statements. Under the Joint Plan of Action, which has been extended until the end of June 2015, Iran committed to significant restrictions on its nuclear programme, including not to enrich beyond 5%. These measures are aimed at addressing our proliferation concerns. We remain committed to negotiating a comprehensive agreement, under which Iran would need to agree to further restrictions on its programme.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Palestinian Authority about the steps it can take to ensure the unhindered operation of the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Officials from our Consulate-General in Jerusalem have had regular discussions with the Palestinian Authority (PA), in particular Prime Minister Hamdallah, about the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism (GRM). As a donor contributing to the establishment of the mechanism, we have been urging the PA to ensure the mechanism works effectively, in order to expedite reconstruction in Gaza. Our embassy in Tel Aviv also discusses the operation of the GRM regularly with the Israeli authorities.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the stability of the Fatah-Hamas Unity government in the Palestinian Authority.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Since its formation, the Palestinian interim technocratic government has faced considerable challenges threatening its stability – including the conflict in Gaza over the summer, ongoing internal Palestinian political tensions, the challenge of extending Palestinian Authority (PA) control over Gaza, and reconstructing Gaza. The government remains fragile and has a huge task in front of it in reuniting Gaza and the West Bank.
The UK welcomed the formation of the interim technocratic government in June, and has strongly supported government efforts to reconstruct Gaza and re-establish PA authority there.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Palestinian Authority on recent reports of violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We have not made any specific representations to the Palestinian Authority (PA) on this issue, as the PA itself is not responsible for the firing. However, we have regularly urged senior Palestinians to return to the Cairo negotiations, with the Israeli government, to ensure that a durable ceasefire is put in place in Gaza.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Palestinian Authority counterparts on the closure of the administrative checkpoint at the Erez Crossing.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
I raised the importance of keeping the crossing open when I met President Abbas during my visit last year. I also raised this with Israeli interlocutors. The Erez Crossing is run by the Israeli authorities not the PA. We have had reports that the crossing closed briefly on 8 January when Hamas security personnel attempted to approach the crossing, but otherwise it has been open.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Palestinian Authority counterparts on the smuggling of weapons and other contraband into Gaza.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We have not raised this issue specifically with the Palestinian Authority (PA). However, we regularly discuss with PA ministers our wish for the PA to return to Gaza and to play a more active role at the crossings.