Oral Answers to Questions

Yasmin Qureshi Excerpts

Tuesday 30th January 2024 Commons Chamber

[Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD)]

14. What diplomatic steps he is taking to help end the conflict in Israel and Gaza.

[Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South East) (Lab)]

21. What recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Israel on the number of civilian deaths in Gaza.

[Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab)]

24. What recent diplomatic steps he has taken to help secure a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Mitchell]

All of us want a ceasefire, but it must be sustainable. That is why the British Government are bent on ensuring that we get a humanitarian pause so that we can get far more supplies into Gaza, and, on the back of that, a sustainable ceasefire. As I said in answer to the hon. Member for Sheffield South East (Mr Betts), we need a pause in order to get aid and support in and the hostages out.

[Yasmin Qureshi]

According to the UN World Food Programme, over half a million Palestinians in Gaza are starving. A famine is imminent. Allegations against 12 United Nations Relief and Works Agency staff are rightly being investigated, but cutting aid to UNRWA entirely is disproportionate and punitive. Has the Minister even considered the consequences of those cuts on women, babies and the seriously injured, and does he understand that they would breach the measures issued by the International Court of Justice to ensure that aid flows into Gaza?

[Mr Mitchell]

As I have set out to the House repeatedly, we are doing everything we can, along with others, to ensure that vital supplies get into Gaza, for the very reasons that the hon. Lady sets out. On UNRWA, it would be impossible for any of us to continue business as usual, given the appalling events outlined over the weekend. That is why we have made it clear that we will not produce further finance until we are satisfied that those matters have been addressed. With regard to what we are seeking to do through UNRWA now, we have provided additional funding in the past, and that will ensure that aid and vital supplies get into Gaza.