Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the treatment of homosexuals in Middle East countries, in particular in (1) Israel, (2) the Palestinian Territories, and (3) Gaza.

The Government's clear message is that human rights are universal and should apply equally to all people.

We believe that the international community must address all forms of discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and we must also promote respect for diversity. Work in combating violence and discrimination against LGBT people forms an important part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's wider international human rights work.

The British Embassy in Tel Aviv has marched in the Gay Pride parades in Tel Aviv over recent years. At this year's march, Her Majesty's Ambassador to Israel spoke at the large public gathering and referred to Israel becoming a more tolerant society over the past decade.

We are deeply concerned about the treatment of the LGBT community in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, particularly in Gaza where they are subject to widespread social discrimination for cultural and religious reasons. Homosexuality remains a taboo subject in the OPTs. In some places, such as Ramallah, these taboos are relaxed, but in more conservative areas the situation is very challenging. There are no laws protecting LGBT people, however, we are not aware of any recent legal cases being prosecuted against LGBT people.