I recognise that the situation in Gaza is desperate and the humanitarian situation is dire. Please be assured my colleagues and I remain convinced of the need, and determined, to see an end to the fighting and a significant scaling up of humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
The events which have unfolded in the Middle East since 7 October have been truly appalling to witness. Israel suffered the worst terror attack in its history at the hands of Hamas, and Palestinian civilians continue to face a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. My thoughts are with the families of those hostages who were recently found, brutally murdered by Hamas after being held in unimaginable conditions for 11 months, with those still held hostage and with every innocent life, on both sides, which has been lost or impacted by this horrific conflict.
I am aware that the Government has suspended 30 of the UK's 350 arms export licences to Israel. While the Labour government insists this is not an arms embargo, I fear that this could potentially send the wrong signal, leaving Israel exposed at a time of grave threats to its security and undermining transatlantic unity in the face of terrorist threats. In addition, the announcement, on the day of the funerals for the six murdered Israeli hostages, was badly timed and deeply unfortunate. However, I welcome the prime minister reiterating Britain’s support for Israel and its right to self-defence in the House of Commons. I have provided a link to the statement here: UK policy on arms export licences to Israel: Foreign Secretary's statement - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
It is without question that too many Palestinians have died in this terrible war. While international pressure, quite rightly, continues to be put on Israel to minimise civilian deaths, I welcome the admission by the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, in his statement to the House that, “there can be no doubt that Hamas pays not the slightest heed to international humanitarian law and endangers civilians by embedding itself in the tightly concentrated civilian population and in civilian infrastructure.”
While the UK has been clear from the start of the current conflict between Israel and Hamas that Israel has a right to self-defence, we have consistently stressed this must be conducted within the bounds of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). This includes complying with IHL relating to torture. I unreservedly condemn the use of torture anywhere in the world and I am proud that the UK Government has long worked closely with international partners to eradicate this abhorrent practice. The previous Government funded international projects aimed at preventing torture and, in particular, encouraged states to ratify and implement the UN’s Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). This led the Association for the Prevention of Torture to recognise that the UK has been one of OPCAT's strongest supporters.
I would urge the new Government to work with Israel to secure improvements to the practices surrounding children in detention and making clear objections about the continued reports of ill-treatment of Palestinian minors in Israeli military detention. Indeed, reports of the heavy use of restraints and the high number of Palestinian children who are not informed of their legal rights - in contravention of Israel's own regulations - are particularly concerning, as is the continued transfer of Palestinian child detainees to prisons inside Israel. I would also implore Hamas and other jihadist groups within Gaza to put an end to the indoctrination, recruitment and use of Palestinian children in violation of international law.
I welcome that the new Government is continuing the work of the previous Conservative Government last by supporting humanitarian agencies including UNRWA, UNICEF and UK Med to provide essential healthcare to civilians in Gaza. This includes activities to improve water, sanitation and hygiene, which is vital in preventing the spread of diseases. I especially welcome the series of three-day “humanitarian pauses” in central, southern, and northern Gaza, allowing the vital polio vaccination campaign to proceed.
I am proud the UK has played a leadership role in alleviating the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza thus far and am determined to see the new Labour Government do the same. The last Government did everything it could to get aid in as quickly as possible by land, sea and air, including by: trebling the UK’s aid commitment to the Occupied Palestinian Territories in the last financial year, establishing a field hospital in Gaza, participating in numerous airdrops of aid, and providing a £9.7m package of military and civilian support to help set up a maritime aid corridor to Gaza. I welcome the new Government’s commitment to increasing the amount of aid getting into Gaza but will be following developments closely and scrutinising the work of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Ministers to ensure that this commitment is upheld.
Regarding UNRWA, while I recognise that this organisation plays an important role providing aid in Gaza, I supported the previous Government’s decision to pause future funding for UNRWA following allegations that members of their staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel. To investigate accusations against UNRWA with due diligence, ministers had been waiting for the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services’ report investigating the veracity of Israel’s claim.
However, following the 2024 General Election, the new Labour Government has decided to overturn this suspension of UNRWA funding and will provide the organisation with £21 million in new funds. I understand that the UN has now fired an additional nine UNRWA staff members - following the 12 fired previously. I believe that it is right that the UN has dismissed these individuals. It is critical that UN bodies ensure adequate vetting of personnel and activities.
The last Government was clear with UNRWA that business as usual would not resume until allegations were dealt with and significant changes put in place. My colleagues and I will continue to make the case that taxpayers' money destined to help those most in need must never end up in the hands of terrorists. We will hold the current Labour Government to account in making sure UNRWA implements all the recommendations made in the Colonna report so that this situation can never arise again.
Longer-term, I hope all parties will enter into a proper, negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestine state. I know that the UK has long encouraged progress towards a negotiated two-state solution. While I understand the current governing party’s 2024 General Election Manifesto committed to recognise a Palestinian state, I strongly believe the UK should only recognise a Palestinian state at a time when it best serves the objective of peace. We must avoid premature declarations which would serve to vindicate the use of violence and terrorism as legitimate methods to achieve political goals. I will continue to encourage the Labour Government to act in accordance with this principle.
With regard to the UK recognising the ICC’s jurisdiction in Gaza, while I respect the independence of the court, I do not believe that targeting the Israeli leadership will help to advance the cause of peace. The ICC’s judgement could imply a moral equivalence between a democratically elected leadership and an internationally proscribed terrorist organisation. I believe that is profoundly wrong. While I understand your concern regarding Amnesty International’s report on Israel, I do not agree with the terminology used in the report. Any judgment on whether serious crimes under international law have occurred is a matter for judicial decision. It is not for governments or non-judicial bodies to decide.
I do implore the current Government to continue their predecessor’s work and fully commits British diplomacy to upholding the principles of humanity and fairness that our country has always stood for. I welcome the deal which is currently on the table. The UK has long called for a deal such as this one and I share the view of our diplomats that it is the best way to get the remaining hostages out, bring about a sustainable ceasefire leading to a permanent end to hostilities, and enable a significant scaling up of much-needed humanitarian aid. It is vital that all parties seize this opportunity and move towards a lasting peace which guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people as swiftly as possible. I hope and pray they do.
