Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote

Lyn Brown Excerpts
Monday 21st May 2018

(6 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alistair Burt Portrait Alistair Burt
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That is correct, and I am sure that no one in this House actually does that, but I am grateful to my hon. Friend for making it clear.

Lyn Brown Portrait Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab)
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The other place recommended last year that the Government stop treating Israel with kid gloves and display some political robustness. This Government’s abstention is worse than weak; it is deplorable. How can the people of Palestine trust our Government when we refuse even to look seriously at these issues, let alone challenge them?

Alistair Burt Portrait Alistair Burt
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I understand the force of the hon. Lady’s response; she is always honest about all these things. I would point to what we said in the explanation of the vote, which clearly raises questions about Israel’s conduct. We seem to be one of the few Governments prepared to consider both sides of these dreadful incidents, and that is why we want to find the truth about what happened.