Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his US counterpart on the Government’s rejection of the US President’s proposal for the resettlement of Palestinians in Gaza.

The Foreign Secretary frequently has calls with his US counterpart on a range of issues, including the situation in Gaza, most recently on 27 January. The role played by the US, alongside Qatar and Egypt, in negotiating the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, has been crucial, and the Prime Minister reiterated this in his recent call with President Trump. Gaza lies in ruins, and it is crucial we move through the phases of the agreement to the reconstruction of Gaza. We have been clear that we oppose moving Palestinians in Gaza to neighbouring Arab states against their will. There must be no forced displacement of Palestinians, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza strip. Palestinian civilians should be able to return to and rebuild their homes and their lives. We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. Only that over time will ensure the long-term peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.