Oral Answers to Questions

Zubir Ahmed Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Laura Kyrke-Smith (Aylesbury) (Lab)]

14. What steps he is taking to help improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

[Dr Zubir Ahmed (Glasgow South West) (Lab)]

16. What steps he is taking to help improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

[Neil O’Brien (Harborough, Oadby and Wigston) (Con)]

19. What steps he is taking to help bring humanitarian relief to civilians in Gaza.

--- Later in debate ---

[Anneliese Dodds]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her question. Again, I express our gratitude to the DEC for its work in ensuring that there has been that emergency appeal for the middle east. I should have mentioned earlier that that is covering not just Gaza, but Lebanon and the broader middle east where there is also that urgent humanitarian need. I can reassure her that, on issues of access to aid, the UK Government have been crystal clear on the need for the maintenance of international humanitarian law across the region, which of course includes Israel as well, as the Foreign Secretary underlined at the end of last week.

[Dr Ahmed]

Will the Minister reassure me that September’s export licence ban with Israel covers items that we reasonably believe could be used to breach international law in Gaza? Will she further reassure me that the remaining export licences with Israel largely do not cover the Israel Defence Forces or military equipment?

[Anneliese Dodds]

I wish to be very clear as I think there is some confusion on this important point. Following the 2 September suspension, there are currently no extant UK export licences—I repeat, no extant export licences—for items to Israel that we assess might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law. There is only one exception, which is for F-35 components, and the Foreign Secretary has explained that to the House. My hon. Friend is right to say that most licences for exports to Israel are not for the IDF, and I am pleased to be able to put that on the record for the House.