Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the steps necessary to ensure the economic redevelopment of the Gaza Strip; and what steps can be taken to facilitate such redevelopment without affecting the security of Egypt and Israel.

​We have frequent discussions with the Government of Israel about the need to ease restrictions on Gaza. Easing restrictions would alleviate the suffering of ordinary Palestinians, advance construction, and allow the Gazan economy to grow. We are also urging Egypt to show maximum flexibility in opening the Rafah crossing. A durable agreement is necessary to safeguard Egypt and Israel’s security; it must include Hamas and other terrorist groups permanently ending rocket fire.