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Question
Can the Minister provide a breakdown of the volume and type of aid sent to Gaza, how its impact will be measured, and whether it is new funding or part of previous allocations? Additionally, can she clarify measures ensuring that all British taxpayer money reaches those in need?
Minister reply
The Minister thanked the right hon. Lady for her support and agreed with her concerns about the savagery of the 7 October attacks and the suffering of hostage families. She confirmed ongoing efforts to keep the House updated on diplomatic measures, ensuring consistent updates across the FCDO team.
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Question
Could the Minister expand on the technical and financial assistance that the UK is providing to the Palestinian Authority, particularly in relation to unexploded ordnance and the closure of UNRWA warehouses?
Minister reply
We are providing substantial reform programme support, including financial and direct technical support. The UK has been working with other countries on safe de-mining practices, ensuring communities can safely return home. Regarding UNRWA’s warehouse closure, we are committed to UNRWA's role in delivering humanitarian aid and will continue to advocate for its continuation.
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Question
What steps is the Minister taking to ensure the continuity of humanitarian aid given the imminent closure of UNRWA’s operations?
Minister reply
The UK remains committed to ensuring no disruption to UNRWA's vital work in providing direct humanitarian supplies, health services and education. We are urging Israel to work with international partners like the UN to maintain this support.
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Question
What reassurances has the Minister had from Israel that there is a viable alternative if UNRWA can no longer operate?
Minister reply
The UK Government are clear that UNRWA underpins the entire humanitarian response in Gaza and oppose the Knesset legislation that would ban it. We call on Israel to work urgently with international partners to ensure continuity of support.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that antisemitism is deeply depressing, often expressed through hatred of Israel?
Minister reply
In this week marking 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz and recent hostage releases, we must combat any form of prejudice and discrimination. The UK stands against antisemitism.
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Question
Will our Government make representations to Israel to show restraint in the west bank to prevent further loss of Palestinian lives?
Minister reply
We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and curb actions that inflame tensions. Stability in the West Bank is crucial for Gaza's ceasefire.
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Question
Welcomes the Minister’s statement on additional UK support for Palestinians, recognises Jordan's central work. Asks about concrete action against Israeli legislation against UNRWA.
Minister reply
Grateful to my hon. Friend for underlining Jordan's role; condemns Knesset decision as wrong, undermining ceasefire and humanitarian aid delivery.
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Question
Asks if President Trump’s comments about Gaza indicate forced displacement or ethnic cleansing of nearly 2 million Palestinians from their land.
Minister reply
Recognises the critical role US played in obtaining ceasefire; Gazans must be allowed to return under international humanitarian law.
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Question
Concerned about Aida refugee camp workers intimidated by IDF, asks for UK support.
Minister reply
Grateful to my hon. Friend; highlights the importance of UK civil society in supporting people in Gaza, west bank or broader region.
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Question
Concerned about Hamas’s determination to regain control in Gaza.
Minister reply
Agrees with hon. Member; UK Government position is clear: Hamas is a terrorist organisation, must not play role future arrangements for Gaza.
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Question
Asks about long-term role UNRWA can play in two-state solution and ensuring aid gets to those who need it.
Minister reply
Grateful to my hon. Friend; highlights importance of UNRWA, discusses normalisation of economy needed for a two-state solution.
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Question
Concerned about right of return and self-determination for Palestinians in Gaza.
Minister reply
Underlines Gazans’ right to return under international humanitarian law; will seek to ensure it becomes a reality.
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Question
Asks how we can build confidence on both sides for peace, especially regarding displaced families who never got back to Palestine.
Minister reply
Shares hon. Friend’s passion; UK responsibility working multilaterally towards peaceful future with two states.
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Question
Concerned about deradicalisation in Gaza and hateful incitement to violence in UNRWA schools.
Minister reply
Emphasises importance of neutrality at UNRWA; supported Colonna report, earmarked £1 million for its reforms.
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Question
Asks if justice for war crimes is important alongside rebuilding Gaza.
Minister reply
Agrees with my hon. Friend; UK Government respects independence of International Criminal Court.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that we urgently need accountability for the Israeli Government’s violations of international law, as exhibited in the restriction of access to tents, mattresses, medical equipment and so on? Does she acknowledge that the only way we will make meaningful progress towards reconstruction efforts and longer-term peace is to hold the Israeli Government to account for these actions?
Minister reply
The UK is fully committed to international law and respects the independence of both the ICC and the ICJ. Yes, there must be access to such supplies.
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Question
I thank the Minister for her statement and the announcement of additional investment in aid to Gaza, which is very welcome... Can the Minister say not only that the UK Government oppose the decision [to ban UNRWA], but what will be done to hold the Israeli Government to account for the impact of that decision?
Minister reply
The UK has already acted to make it clear that there must be a resolution to this urgent issue. We have joined allies in expressing our deep concerns about the Knesset’s vote on UNRWA and urged Israel to ensure that UNRWA can continue its lifesaving work.
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Question
Today is the ninth day of the siege on Jenin in the west bank by Israeli forces accused of war crimes... Can the Minister tell the House what specific and concrete steps the Government are taking or will take to facilitate an end to Israel’s siege and ethnic cleansing in the west bank?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman asks about the UK Government’s representations in relation to the west bank, and we have been very clear that the risk of instability is serious and the need for de-escalation is urgent. We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions.
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Question
I welcome the Minister’s update on the Government’s efforts to get aid to those in need in Gaza... Given the serious allegations of war crimes occurring in Gaza, what steps are the Government taking to ensure that they are properly investigated and that those responsible are held to account?
Minister reply
The UK is fully committed to international law and respects the independence of the ICJ and the ICC. Any such determination on the conduct of war by whichever party would be taken by those independent bodies, experts, and judicial actors.
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Question
In following your request for brevity, Madam Deputy Speaker, may I ask the Minister when is the correct time to recognise Palestine as a state?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman will know that the UK Government are committed to recognising Palestine but we need to ensure that aid gets to where it is really needed.
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Question
President Trump called for a “clean out” of the Gaza strip, proposing to forcibly deport Gaza’s more than 2 million Palestinian inhabitants... Will the Minister join me in condemning President Trump’s remarks?
Minister reply
The UK Government have been very clear that Gazans must be able to return to their homes. That is a matter of international humanitarian law.
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Question
Despite genocide, displacement and destruction, Palestinians are returning to northern Gaza... What assurances has the Minister had from the Israeli Government that they will withdraw all their forces from Gaza?
Minister reply
I have discussed many of those matters directly with Israeli Government counterparts. The UK Government’s position is very clear: illegal settlements are illegal. They are not allowed under international law.
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Question
The UK has a strong track record of bringing people together across communities to build peace... What lessons on support for civil society and peacebuilding in Israel and Palestine will the Government draw from the last Labour Government’s experience in Northern Ireland?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right to be clear that the UK has considerable expertise in the area of peacebuilding, as it does on so many other questions that we have been discussing this afternoon.
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Question
The fundamental issue is Israel’s occupation of Gaza and the west bank... What assurances has the Minister had from the Israeli Government that they will withdraw all their forces from Gaza?
Minister reply
I have discussed many of those matters directly with Israeli Government counterparts. The UK Government’s position is very clear: illegal settlements are illegal.
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Question
Will the Minister assure the House that she will use those same diplomatic efforts to secure the early release of British-related hostages in phase 1?
Minister reply
We are absolutely determined to do all that we can to ensure that the UK-linked hostages who remain—Eli Sharabi, Oded Lifshitz and Avinatan Or—are brought home to their loved ones.
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Question
No one can gainsay the need for humanitarian aid... Can we place trust in an organisation with such a record?
Minister reply
Absolutely, the prevention of diversion of aid, not just in this context but more broadly wherever the UK is providing aid, is incredibly important. We take it very seriously indeed and will always seek to ensure that there is absolutely watertight control around that.
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Question
Since the ceasefire, there has been an increase in killings and atrocities in Jenin. On Saturday, Israeli forces were responsible for killing a two-year-old girl. Will the Minister explain what actions this Government have taken to put pressure on Israel to prevent ongoing atrocities in the West Bank?
Minister reply
The UK Government have been clear about settler expansion and violence reaching record levels. The Israeli Government seized more of the West Bank in 2024 than in the past 20 years, which is completely unacceptable. The matter has been raised by a number of ministerial team members, including the Foreign Secretary who announced new sanctions targeting illegal settler outposts and organisations supporting violence against communities.