Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether the Government has taken steps to condemn settler violence and forced displacements since the start of the war in Israel and Gaza.
Answered by David Rutley
Reports of Palestinian civilians being murdered by settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are appalling. The rapidly deteriorating human rights situation, increasing settler violence, high casualties, and mass arrests, is creating an environment conducive to increased risks of atrocities and intercommunal violence. As the Foreign Secretary said on 24 November, violence by settlers in Occupied Palestinian Territories is completely unacceptable. In addition, the joint G7 Foreign Ministers statement of 8 November, includes a point from the UK making clear that settler violence undermines security in the West Bank and threatens prospects for a lasting peace. Israel must prevent these acts of violence and hold those responsible to account. We are also clear that, in pursuing its legitimate right to self-defence against Hamas, Israel's military actions in Gaza must be carried out in accordance with International Humanitarian Law and Israel must take all possible measures to protect civilians. The Foreign Secretary highlighted the gravity of the crisis in his recent meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Cohen during his visit to Israel on 23 November. The Foreign Secretary has also stressed the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether the UK recognises the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in (a) Gaza and (b) other Occupied Palestinian Territories; and if he will support an urgent investigation by that Court into all allegations of breaches of humanitarian law in the current conflict.
Answered by David Rutley
The UK is a strong supporter of international justice and the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC). As an independent organisation, it is for the ICC Prosecutor to decide upon the focus of his investigations. Whether violations of International Humanitarian Law have occurred depends upon detailed knowledge of the operation, including the precise nature of the target, the methods used to attack, and the attacking party's knowledge and anticipated military advantage in launching that attack. The UK continues to call for International Humanitarian Law to be respected and civilians to be protected.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made representations to his Israeli counterpart on allowing aid to enter Gaza directly through the Karem Shalom crossing.
Answered by David Rutley
The FCDO is actively engaging with international partners and those operating on the ground to do all we can to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary engage regularly and closely with regional counterparts including Israel and Egypt on the humanitarian response. However, the flow of aid into and through Gaza continues to be insufficient and we are urgently exploring all diplomatic options to increase this, including urging Israel to open other existing land border crossings such as Kerem Shalom. Fuel remains a critical component - without sufficient aid, fuel cannot be distributed by humanitarian organisations and hospitals, bakeries as well as desalination plants cannot operate. We are also actively exploring other routes for aid to get into Gaza. The UK Government has already announced £60 million in humanitarian funding and has sent more than 74 tonnes of emergency relief for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department is taking to support reconstruction in Gaza; and what support his Department has provided to Palestinians affected by the conflict.
Answered by David Rutley
Civilians displaced from the north of Gaza should only return home only when it is safe to do so and in a dignified and voluntary manner.
The FCDO is actively engaging with international partners and those operating on the ground to do all we can to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary engage regularly and closely with regional counterparts including Israel and Egypt on the humanitarian response. However, the flow of aid into and through Gaza continues to be insufficient and we are urgently exploring all diplomatic options to increase this, including urging Israel to open other existing land border crossings such as Kerem Shalom. Fuel remains a critical component - without sufficient aid, fuel cannot be distributed by humanitarian organisations and hospitals, bakeries as well as desalination plants cannot operate. We are also actively exploring other routes for aid to get into Gaza. The UK Government has already announced £60 million in humanitarian funding and has sent more than 74 tonnes of emergency relief for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether it is his policy that civilians displaced from the north of Gaza should be able to return when it is safe for them to do so.
Answered by David Rutley
Civilians displaced from the north of Gaza should only return home only when it is safe to do so and in a dignified and voluntary manner.
The FCDO is actively engaging with international partners and those operating on the ground to do all we can to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary engage regularly and closely with regional counterparts including Israel and Egypt on the humanitarian response. However, the flow of aid into and through Gaza continues to be insufficient and we are urgently exploring all diplomatic options to increase this, including urging Israel to open other existing land border crossings such as Kerem Shalom. Fuel remains a critical component - without sufficient aid, fuel cannot be distributed by humanitarian organisations and hospitals, bakeries as well as desalination plants cannot operate. We are also actively exploring other routes for aid to get into Gaza. The UK Government has already announced £60 million in humanitarian funding and has sent more than 74 tonnes of emergency relief for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the press release of 16 October 2023 entitled UK announces £10 million humanitarian aid for civilians in Occupied Palestinian Territories, whether he plans to publish the (a) process and (b) mechanisms by which that aid will be distributed in Gaza.
Answered by David Rutley
The FCDO aid budget is allocated in accordance with UK strategic priorities against a challenging financial climate. There is a robust framework in place for allocating Official Development Assistance (ODA). Data on ODA spend in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is available on DevTracker (https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/countries/PS). More than 80% of our ODA spend this year of UK support will be used to meet humanitarian need, or to provide vital health, education, and protection services for Palestinian Refugees. The new funding announced on 16 October 2023 will allow trusted partners, including key UN agencies to provide essential relief items and services. These could include food, water and emergency shelter, depending on the needs on the ground. The UK is also exploring options for moving humanitarian supplies closer to the region and is liaising with aid agencies in the region to ensure relief supplies can be distributed as quickly and effectively as possible.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what meetings he has had since 7 October 2023 with aid and charity organisations operating in Gaza on the provision and access of British aid.
Answered by David Rutley
The UK is calling for immediate unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza so that essential aid, including food, water, fuel and medical supplies, can reach civilian populations. The UK is also calling on all parties to protect border crossings to support safe humanitarian access and mitigate harm to civilians. The FCDO is actively engaging with the international humanitarian system (including UN agencies, Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs), Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs), and Civil Society Organisations) to address the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza. On 19 October, the Foreign Secretary visited the region where he will meet leaders in Egypt, Turkey and Qatar and push for agreement on humanitarian access to Gaza, the release of British hostages and foreign nationals, and securing safe passage for British Nationals to leave Gaza.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to respond formally to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Summit 2023; and what progress his Department has made on achieving the goals.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The UK is committed to working to deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as set out in the International Development Strategy (IDS) and Integrated Review (IR23). The UN's SDG Summit in September will mark the mid-way point to 2030. We will work closely with our partners to accelerate progress towards the SDGs at this critical juncture and ensure the SDG Summit delivers for all, including the poorest and most vulnerable.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support progress towards a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK remains committed to making progress towards a two-state solution, resulting in a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian State; based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, with Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states. The Prime Minister met his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, on 24 March and emphasised the risk of undermining efforts toward the two-state solution. The Foreign Secretary and Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister for the Middle East, met Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, during his recent visit to London on 21 March. They discussed our strong bilateral relationship and also the vital importance of de-escalating the rising tension in the West Bank.
Asked by: Kim Leadbeater (Labour - Spen Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the announcement by the government of Israel that it will legalise nine outposts in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Answered by David Rutley
The UK's position on settlements and outposts is unchanged. They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. The UK joined a number of international partners on 14 February to express our dismay at the decision to legalise nine outposts. This decision will only serve to exacerbate tensions and undermine efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution. The UK welcomes the recent talks in Aqaba and Sharm El-Sheikh and in particular the commitment by the Israeli government to stop the authorisation of outposts for six months. We will push the Israelis to make that temporary pause permanent.