It is without question that a tragedy is still unfolding in the Middle East. Israel has suffered the worst unprovoked terror attack in its history with hostages still held and many still unaccounted for at the hands of terrorist group Hamas, and Palestinian civilians in Gaza are experiencing a devastating humanitarian disaster as those terrorists stay embedded in amongst innocent civilians. My thoughts remain with all those so deeply affected.
I do appreciate how important this matter is to so many of my constituents and am arranging to meet with a group who have indicated they will be in Westminster for the Oxfam GB event on the 14th March. However, I can assure you that the Government remains focused on addressing the very serious situation in the Middle East and working with our international partners to see an end to this heartbreaking situation.
The terrorist attacks launched by Hamas on 7 October were abhorrent and unprecedented and over 1,400 lives were taken in the most heinous and vile manner. The UK has supported Israel’s right to defend itself against the ongoing threat posed by Hamas, but it must abide by international humanitarian law. Too many civilians have been killed, and the Israeli Government should continue do more to discriminate sufficiently between terrorists and civilians, ensuring its campaign targets Hamas leaders and operatives.
We all want to see an end to the terrible suffering in Gaza as soon as possible and for the fighting to stop on both sides which is why I support the UK Government’s position calling for a humanitarian pause to get more aid in and the hostages out, then progress towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and more loss of life. The Government made a Written Statement to Parliament on 23 February setting out this position and you can find the link to it here:
Israel and Gaza - Hansard - UK Parliament
There are several vital elements for a lasting peace, including vitally the release of all remaining hostages; the formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package; removing Hamas’ capacity to launch attacks against Israel; with Hamas no longer being in charge of Gaza; and a political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.
While I respect the role and independence of the ICJ, I agree with the UK Government that South Africa’s case at the ICJ is not helpful in achieving the goal of a sustainable ceasefire. I do share the Government’s view that Israel’s actions in Gaza cannot be described as genocide, and believe South Africa’s decision to bring the case was wrong and provocative. The Court’s call for the immediate release of hostages and the need to get more aid into Gaza is a position the UK has long advocated.
Since the terrorist attacks against Israel, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who have been kidnapped. The safety of British nationals is the UK Government’s utmost priority. The UK Ministry of Defence announced that it was conducting surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in air space over Israel and Gaza.
The Prime Minister and the Defence Secretary have also deployed UK military assets to the eastern Mediterranean to reinforce regional stability and prevent escalation. In addition, a Royal Navy task group was moved to the eastern Mediterranean as a contingency measure to support humanitarian efforts. I understand that the Prime Minister also asked for all military teams in Israel, Cyprus and across the region to be bolstered to support contingency planning and the efforts of neighbouring countries to deal with any spill over from instability in Israel. The Royal Navy task group, RAF operations and wider military support show the UK’s work to avoid any further spread of conflict in the Middle East.
I want to make clear that the UK remains fully committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it. The Government is getting on with aid delivery, funding multiple implementing partners including other UN agencies and international and UK NGOs.
We are providing £60 million in UK humanitarian assistance to support these partners, who include the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme and Egyptian Red Crescent Society, to respond to critical food, fuel, water, health, shelter and security needs in Gaza. In addition, the UK has delivered 150 tonnes of aid to the region. This includes the first maritime shipment of aid for Gaza which arrived in Egypt in January.
The UK will continue to support the United Nations World Food Programme to deliver a new humanitarian land corridor from Jordan into Gaza - 750 tonnes of life-saving food aid arrived in the first delivery and 315 tonnes in the second delivery.
On 21 February, four tonnes of life-saving aid – funded and supported by the UK Government – were air-dropped for the Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in Northern Gaza by the Jordanian Air Force.
I am assured Ministers are doing all that they can to get more aid in and open more crossings, and the UK continues to call for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to be respected and civilians to be protected. The Government has previously assessed that Israel is committed and capable of complying with IHL, and regularly reviews its assessment.
The UK Government takes its export control responsibilities extremely seriously and operates one of the most robust export control regimes in the world. All export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, based on the most up-to-date information and analysis available.
Licence decisions take account of prevailing circumstances at the time of application and include human rights and international humanitarian law considerations. Export licenses are not issued where to do so would be inconsistent with the consolidated criteria, including where there is a clear risk that the items might be used for a serious violation of international law.
The Government is monitoring the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories very closely, and it will take any action that the Government considers appropriate as the situation develops. The Export Control Joint Unit has in place an established process for responding, at pace, to changing conditions in a country where the UK has previously granted export licences and where those licences remain in place. That situation is under constant review. Lord Cameron is doing his utmost in the region on our behalf and we are grateful for his work, commitment and focus on delivering peace for all.
And finally, on UNRWA, I am appalled, as I am sure everyone is, by allegations that any agency staff were involved in the 7 October terrorist attack against Israel. I support the UK's decision to pause any future funding of UNRWA whilst these concerning allegations are reviewed. The United States, Germany, Australia, Italy, Canada, Finland, Switzerland and the Netherlands have all temporarily paused funding too.
The Government is pressing the UN Office of Internal Oversight to produce a rapid interim report. The UK wants UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again. The UK is working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion – not least because UNRWA have a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza.
The UK recognises the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people and supports a lasting solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike. However, Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people or their aspirations; it only offers more terror and more bloodshed. I support Israel’s right to defend itself: to retaliate against Hamas, deter further incursions; and strengthen its long-term security.
At the same time, the loss of every innocent life is a tragedy, and the UK Government has repeatedly stressed that Israel must take every precaution to minimise civilian casualties, in line with International Humanitarian Law. The UK Foreign Secretary has also called for discipline, professionalism and restraint from the Israeli military in these most challenging and complicated of circumstances.