I remain committed to the pursuit of peace and stability in the Middle East. We ultimately want to be able to lift people’s eyes to a brighter future and sustainable, regional peace.
Unfortunately, Iran has demonstrated intent to sow chaos in its own backyard, using its proxy militias like Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. In addition, the recent attacks on Israel by Iran itself are a stark reminder of the existential threat Israel faces in the Middle East. I stand unequivocally by Israel’s right to defend itself, including against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel has the right to self-defence against wholly unacceptable attacks by Hezbollah - a proscribed terrorist organisation - which have caused thousands of people to have to leave their homes in northern Israel. While I, like many, cautiously welcome the US-brokered deal, backed by the Israeli and Lebanese Governments, I recognise there is still a long road ahead. Hezbollah moving back behind the Litani River and Israel having the ability to deal with immediate threats from Hezbollah is clearly key.
My colleagues and I have consistently advocated for the delivery of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 implementation. The broad outline of this deal appears a step in the right direction but I know a huge international effort will be needed if this agreement is to endure. If it works, it could bring long awaited relief for many and potentially a pathway to sustainable peace across the Blue Line.
Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza remains truly desperate and the humanitarian situation is absolutely dire. The Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel MP, has stated that, “Securing the release of hostages in Gaza, getting more aid in to alleviate the humanitarian crisis faced, and establishing a sustainable peace must be a priority for the Government.” Please be assured my colleagues and I remain 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 remain with the families of those hostages who were recently found brutally murdered by Hamas, with those still held captive in unimaginable conditions like British hostage Emily Damari, 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 this potentially sends 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 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.”
I will continue to urge the new Government to work with Israel to secure improvements to the practices surrounding those under 18 years old in detention and making strong objections about on-going reports of ill-treatment in Israeli military detention. Indeed, reports of the use of restraints and the high number of Palestinian minors who are not informed of their legal rights - in contravention of Israel's own regulations - are particularly concerning, as is the continued transfer of young Palestinian 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 pursuit of their ideological aims, in clear 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 welcomed the series of three-day “humanitarian pauses” in central, southern, and northern Gaza, which allowed 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.
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 following allegations that members of UNWRA 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. The last Conservative Government was clear with UNRWA that business as usual would not resume until allegations were dealt with and significant changes put in place as the integrity of this organisation had been deeply compromised by the events of October 7.
However, following the 2024 General Election, the new Labour Government decided to overturn this suspension of UNRWA funding. In July 2024, the new Labour Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, announced UK funding would resume and pledged £21 million to the organisation in new funds, including £1 million to support reform. He welcomed the UN review and UNRWA’s implementation plan to ensure it meets the “highest standards of neutrality”. The government also said that it would be monitoring UNRWA’s progress on implementing its action plan and continue to conduct its own annual assessment of UK funding to UNRWA.
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 proper vetting of personnel and activities moving forward and that all links to the Hamas terrorist group be severed. We will hold the current Labour Government to account in making sure UNRWA fully implements all the recommendations made in the Colonna report so that this situation, where members of a UN humanitarian organisation are complicit in terrorism, can never arise again.
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. As Priti Patel MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary, said, “Ministers have now committed more taxpayers’ money to UNWRA but they need to prove to us that the £21m of funding they released in the summer reached those most in need. There are deeply worrying reports that criminal gangs are ambushing aid in Gaza. It would be unacceptable for British aid to be abused, used by terrorists, or if it failed to reach the most in need civilians.”
For clarity, in October 2024 the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) passed two bills which will ban Israeli officials from engaging with UNRWA and UNRWA from working in Israeli territory. This is highly significant because while most of UNRWA's projects take place in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, it relies on agreements with Israel to operate. Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said UNRWA staff with links to Hamas must be held accountable and that Israel will work with international partners on next steps. Israel has also said it will work with other UN agencies, such as the World Food Programme, to deliver humanitarian aid. It has previously proposed that UNRWA needs to be replaced in a post-conflict Gaza.
UNRWA, the UN Secretary General, the UK Labour Government, European Union and United States are among those to have criticised the legislation. Norway has said it plans to bring the issue to a vote in the UN General Assembly on whether to refer the legislation to the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion to clarify if the laws violate international law.
I would also like to address the arrest warrant, which many have written about, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its former-Minister Yoav Gallant. Firstly, Israel is not a party to the Rome statute - the treaty that established the ICC and set the Court’s jurisdiction - and Palestine is not a recognised state. I, therefore, believe that the warrants issued for Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant have no basis in international law. In addition, I am deeply concerned by reports of process errors in the ICC’s investigation into Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant, and about the use by the prosecutor of an expert panel. I will continue to push the UK Government for greater clarity on these important matters.
It is my firm belief the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant will do absolutely nothing to help secure the release of those poor Israeli hostages who have been held captive by Hamas for more than a year, nor will it help to get more aid into Gaza or deliver a sustainable end to this awful conflict. I fear that the only beneficiaries of this decision are Hamas and their terrorist sponsors, Iran, who are now celebrating this propaganda coup as a great victory for Hamas and Hezbollah.
By charging Israeli leaders alongside Hamas, the ICC appears to be drawing a moral equivalence between Israel’s war of self-defence and Hamas’ terrorism. I utterly reject any moral equivalence.
I am also deeply concerned by the UK Government’s dithering response to the ICC’s warrant issue. Ministers have repeatedly failed to provide clarity, while spouting confused messaging. At this time, when conflict is taking place, it is important that the Government provides clarity on its approach. My Conservative colleagues have challenged the Government over this in the House of Commons and will continue to press them and call for an intensification of diplomatic efforts. Indeed, I implore the current Government to continue our work and fully commit British diplomacy to upholding the principles of humanity and fairness that our country has always stood for.
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 this Labour Government to act in accordance with this principle.
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.
