Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of alleged reports of (a) sexual and (b) gender-based violence against Palestinian women and girls by Israeli Defence Forces.

We are deeply concerned by allegations of sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians and the disproportionate impact of the conflict on women, children and vulnerable populations. The UK unequivocally condemns any alleged violations and abuses, including sexual violence, and calls for all reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors. A member of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) Team of Experts will support with a gender-responsive and survivor-centred response to reports of sexual violence in both Israel and the OPTs. Following our decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel on 2 September, the Foreign Secretary has raised and continues to raise our concerns around International Humanitarian Law compliance with the Israeli government.