Found: introduction of data protection officers is a proposal that is currently under consideration in Israel

Found: That is what we want them to do, whether it is on the ground in Israel, Westminster, America, Manchester

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of British nationals travelling to Israel to fight in the Israel Defence Forces.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK recognises the right of British nationals with more than one nationality to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of their additional nationalities. This includes the Israel Defence Force.

With respect to the current conflict in Gaza, Section 4 of the Foreign Enlistment Act 1870 makes it an offence for a British subject to enlist in the military of a foreign state at war with another foreign state with which the UK is at peace. That prohibition does not extend, however, to enlistment in a foreign government's forces which are engaged in a civil war or combating terrorism or internal uprisings. The Occupied Palestinian Territories are not currently recognised as a state by the UK. The 1870 Act therefore does not apply in this instance.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what arrangements are in place to engage with British nationals returning to the UK after serving in the Israel Defence Forces to ascertain whether they have been involved in any breaches to the Geneva Convention.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK recognises the right of British nationals with more than one nationality to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of their additional nationalities. This includes the Israel Defence Force.

Anyone who travels to conflict zones to engage in unlawful activity should expect to be investigated upon their return to the UK. Decisions on prosecutions are taken independently by the police and Crown Prosecution Service on a case-by-case basis.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any risk posed to national security and national cohesion of returning British nationals who have served in the Israel Defence Forces.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK recognises the right of British nationals with more than one nationality to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of their additional nationalities. This includes the Israel Defence Force.

Anyone who travels to conflict zones to engage in unlawful activity should expect to be investigated upon their return to the UK. Decisions on prosecutions are taken independently by the police and Crown Prosecution Service on a case-by-case basis.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many British or dual British nationals are currently serving in the Israel Defence Forces.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are aware of reports of UK citizens travelling to fight for the Israel Defence Force (IDF), but the Government does not estimate the numbers of those who have done so.

The UK recognises the right of British nationals with more than one nationality to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of their additional nationalities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what further steps they will take, along with international partners, to secure a ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas war.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government has long been calling for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, then progress towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life. The UK welcomed the UN Security Council Resolution 2728 on 25 March, which reflects international consensus behind the UK's position.

Vital elements for a lasting peace include:

• the release of all hostages;
• the formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package;
• removing Hamas's capacity to launch attacks against Israel;
• Hamas no longer being in charge of Gaza; and,
• a political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.

The Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister have reiterated these messages in their contacts with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior Israeli political leaders, as well as leaders in Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia Lebanon, Egypt, and the UAE in recent weeks.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of support among Arab residents of Jerusalem for Israeli control of the city; and to what extent this is a consideration for their policy towards Israel and Palestine.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We have not made a specific assessment of this.

We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. A political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution is one of the vital elements for a lasting peace, with Jerusalem as shared capital of both Israel and Palestine.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what barriers exist to the unfettered flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and what steps they are taking to remove those barriers.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We have set out five steps that Israel needs to take, including:

• an immediate humanitarian pause to get aid in and hostages out;
• increased capacity for aid distribution inside Gaza;
• increased access for aid through land routes and a fully open Ashdod Port for aid delivery;
• an expansion of the types of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza;
• and the provision of electricity, water and telecommunications.

The Foreign Secretary has appointed a Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Mark Bryson-Richardson. He is based in the region and is working intensively to address the blockages preventing more aid reaching Gaza.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to impede Hamas acquiring or retaining the resources to make war.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

As we have said, removing Hamas' capacity to launch attacks against Israel and Hamas no longer being in charge of Gaza are among the vital elements for a lasting peace.

The UK has already imposed sanctions on key figures in Hamas' leadership, disrupting the terrorist group's financial networks which sustain their operation, including from Iran. A third tranche of sanctions was announced by FCDO in January. On 27 March the UK announced further sanctions on individuals linked to a Hamas-supporting media network. The UK continues to work closely with our partners to identify further opportunities to disrupt Hamas' financial networks, including cutting off access to funding being used to carry out atrocities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on opening up the port of Ashdod to aid supplies for Gaza.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

The British Government has repeatedly called on Israel to open fully Ashdod Port for aid delivery.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the livelihoods of Palestinian refugees in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon of the decision to suspend aid to the United Nations Refugee and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK provided £35 million to UNRWA this financial year, including an uplift of £16 million for the Gaza humanitarian response, all of which was disbursed before the recent allegations came to light. No more British funding is due this financial year and we have paused any future funding of UNRWA..

Indeed, we are appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.

We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again. We are working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion. I have discussed this with Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on several occasions, most recently on 4 April.

We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel about the forcible expulsion of the Palestinian population from Gaza.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government firmly rejects any suggestion of the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza.

The UK's position is clear: Gaza is Occupied Palestinian Territory and will and must be part of a future Palestinian state. We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. This is the only viable option to ensure peace.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are aware of any plans of the government of Israel to rehome Palestinian refugees from Gaza in the Sinai.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government firmly rejects any suggestion of the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza.

The UK's position is clear: Gaza is Occupied Palestinian Territory and will and must be part of a future Palestinian state. We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. This is the only viable option to ensure peace.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with international partners about securing Red Cross access to hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government strongly supports and advocates for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) being given access to hostages. Ministers and senior officials have discussed this in multiple meetings with ICRC officials in the UK and overseas. In line with their mandate, the ICRC has called for the immediate release of all the hostages and for access to them whilst in captivity. So far, the ICRC has been denied access to the remaining hostages in Gaza. The ICRC has no means to compel conflict parties to provide it access and requires agreement from the respective parties to the conflict to visit hostages. The ICRC facilitated the release of 105 hostages as part of the deal agreed between Hamas and Israel in November 2023. The Government continues to call for a humanitarian pause to allow for the release of the remaining hostages.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of reports of alleged settler violence in the village of Um al-Khair in the southern West Bank.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

The UK continues to take a strong stance against settler violence. Extremist settlers, by targeting and attacking Palestinian civilians, are undermining security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians.

On 12 February, the Foreign Secretary announced new sanctions against four extremist Israeli settlers who have violently attacked Palestinians in the West Bank. These measures are part of wider UK efforts to support a more stable West Bank, which is vital for the peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.

We continue to urge Israel to take stronger action to stop settler violence and hold the perpetrators accountable. We will consider additional actions, including further sanctions, as necessary. The UK continues to work with allies and partners, including across the region, to find a path towards a sustainable ceasefire and permanent peace.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that weapons manufactured in the UK and sold under export licences are not being used to commit or facilitate violations of international human law in Gaza and in contravention of the Arms Trade Treaty ratified by the UK on 2 April 2014.

Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.

The Criteria provide a thorough risk assessment framework and the Export Control Joint Unit will not issue an export licence to any destination where to do so would be inconsistent with the Criteria.

The Government continues to monitor closely the situation in Israel and Gaza. We can and do respond quickly and flexibly to changing international circumstances. All licences are kept under careful and continual review as standard. We are able to amend, suspend or revoke extant licences and refuse new licence applications as circumstances require.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which the government of Israel is depriving the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including by inhibiting of relief supplies.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

As an occupying power in Gaza, Israel has a responsibility to ensure aid is made available for civilians.

We have set out the action that must be taken to allow more aid into Gaza, including: an immediate humanitarian pause and stop in fighting to get more aid in and the hostages out; increased capacity for aid distribution inside Gaza; increased access for aid through land routes and a fully open Ashdod Port; an expansion of the types of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza, such as shelter and items critical for infrastructure repair; and the provision of electricity, water and telecommunications.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will undertake a review of existing and pending licences of arm sales to Israel.

Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government continues to monitor closely the situation in Israel and Gaza. The Government can and does respond quickly and flexibly to changing international circumstances.

All export licences are kept under careful and continual review as standard. We are able to amend, suspend or revoke extant licences and refuse new licence applications as circumstances require.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reported allegations by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East of widespread abuse of Gazans detained by Israel during the war with Hamas.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We have expressed our grave concern about the shocking reports of ill-treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli military detention. The UK Government is clear that administrative detention should only be used when it is justified in accordance with international law. Those under detention should either be charged or released. We ask Israel to secure improvements in its detention practices.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State for Defence or the Minister for Armed Forces attended the meeting between the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and Micheál Martin, the Republic of Ireland’s Minister for Defence, in London on 13 December 2023; and what defence-related matters were discussed.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Neither the Secretary of State for Defence nor the Minister for Armed Forces attended the meeting in question. The Foreign Secretary and the Tánaiste discussed a wide range of foreign policy, defence and security matters, including international development, peacekeeping, the Israel-Gaza conflict, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the shared threat we face from malign state actors.

Found: This would include Israel, Qatar, Singapo re, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who

We call on the UK government to ensure that UK citizens implicated in violations of laws of armed conflict abroad are prosecuted. It's crucial that British nationals committing crimes overseas face trial in UK courts following a comprehensive investigation process.

Found: Since the Occupied Palestinian Territories aren't recognized as a state by the UK and Israel hasn't declared

In todays climate, we see conflicts such as Israel and Hammas/ Ukraine and Russia and then add in the constant terrorist threat and looming outright threat to national safety by standing alone. Rejoining the EU safeguards us so much more than alone, Let us vote on facts and clear honest reasons!

Found: In todays climate, we see conflicts such as Israel and Hammas/ Ukraine and Russia and then add in the

We the people, demand that the United Kingdom Government invoke Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, to bring an end to the war in Israel/Palestine through the deployment of a UN Peacekeeping Mission.

Found: elected government, will invoke Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, to bring an end to the war in Israel

We believe the UK has the responsibility to protect the displaced Palestinian refugees who are facing one of the worst humanitarian crises of our lifetime. With widespread reports of famine, disease and no medicines we think it is imperative that a comprehensive permanent ceasefire is reached.

Found: We believe the UK must pressure Israel into stopping this war before more women, men and children are

Found: 53.6 9 South Korea 46.4 10 Japan 46 11 Ukraine 44 12 Italy 33.5 13 Australia 32.3 14 Canada 26.9 15 Israel

Found: directly to Gaza, via a new US temporary pier being constructed off the coast or via Ashdod Port, which Israel

Found: Six months on from the 7 October attacks, the UK and US have stood united in their support for Israel

Found: President, Sunday marked six months since Israel suffered the worst terror attack in its history.

Found: That is why for months the prime minister and I have been calling for Israel to allow more aid into Gaza

Found: Israel has also agreed to increase the number of aid trucks entering Gaza to a minimum of 500 a day.

Found: welcome the communication of the initial findings from the Israeli government, and the commitments Israel

Found: In his statement, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said: Israel has today committed to significant steps

Found: should unconditionally release the remaining hostages from the deplorable 7th of October attack on Israel

Found: UK arms sales to Israel: letter to Lord Ahmad

Found: This morning, Friday 13/10/23 Israel Defence Forces gave notice of its intention to mount a ground offensive

Found: Call for ban on arms sales to Israel: letter to Prime Minister