Israel and Gaza

Layla Moran Excerpts
Monday 23rd October 2023

(6 months, 2 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rishi Sunak Portrait The Prime Minister
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Our position on illegal settlements is of long standing and is in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution, which I know the right hon. Gentleman will be familiar with.

Layla Moran Portrait Layla Moran (Oxford West and Abingdon) (LD)
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May I start by sincerely thanking Members who have shown me support over the last week? It has been really meaningful.

There is a narrative developing that I think we need to challenge. Someone can stand for Israel and still care about what is happening in Gaza. Someone can stand for Palestine and not support Hamas or the atrocities that they have committed. Both can be true. It is an incredibly sensitive time both in our communities and, as the Prime Minister will know, diplomatically. Will he look again at the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, which is coming to the House on Wednesday and relates to this specific conflict? Whatever one may think of the content of the Bill, I hope that he agrees that now is not the time.

Rishi Sunak Portrait The Prime Minister
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The Bill to which the hon. Lady refers delivers a manifesto commitment to ban public bodies from imposing their own boycott, divestment or sanctions campaigns against foreign countries. Those could be divisive policies that undermine community cohesion. It is important that the UK has a consistent foreign policy and speaks with one voice internationally.