Israel and Gaza

Margaret Greenwood Excerpts
Tuesday 26th March 2024

(8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Andrew Mitchell Portrait Mr Mitchell
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I note that the hon. Gentleman is disappointed that we will not release the advice, but I can only point to the precedent to which I referred earlier—one that has been strongly endorsed on both sides of the House.

Margaret Greenwood Portrait Margaret Greenwood (Wirral West) (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

The appalling deaths of children in Gaza have brought condemnation from around the world and, of course, immense psychological trauma to their families and friends. On 27 February, I asked the Minister whether he would recognise that the killing of 12,000 children shows clear evidence of collective punishment. The Minister did not answer my question. That figure has risen with the deaths of a further 1,000 children, so will he now answer my question and recognise that the killing of 13,000 children shows clear evidence of collective punishment?

Andrew Mitchell Portrait Mr Mitchell
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

No, I will not do that, but I hope that the hon. Lady will join me in calling for Hamas to release all the hostages they are holding as swiftly as possible, so that the other points in the statement, which I hope I have set out clearly to the House, can be achieved.