Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to protect the rights of Palestinians to peacefully demonstrate against the restrictions imposed on them by the government of Israel.

The UK continues to urge the Israeli Government to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of peaceful, legal protestors.

The UK worked actively to urge the parties to work with mediators towards an immediate ceasefire. We also fully supported Egyptian, Qatari and UN efforts to that end, working closely with the US. The UK welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza on 20 May, which is an important step to ending the cycle of violence and loss of civilian life. Hamas must end all attacks on Israel. It is also now important for Israel to facilitate rapid humanitarian access in and out of Gaza.

As the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have made clear, this cycle of violence must stop, and every effort must be made to avoid loss of life.