House of Commons · Urgent Question
14 May 2025 · 52 other contributors
Opened by Adrian Ramsay Green Waveney Valley
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Adrian Ramsay raised concerns about gaza uk assessment 2025-05-14 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm the UK's assessment on the risk of genocide in Gaza? Adrian Ramsay is asking about the likelihood of genocide based on recent events, including the humanitarian crisis and aid blockades. He also seeks clarity on whether the Foreign Office has conducted its own assessments.
Question
Has the Foreign Office conducted its own assessment on genocide risk? What is the response to recent UN assessments that genocide is possible in Gaza?
Minister reply
We abide by our international law obligations, including the genocide convention. We conduct ongoing IHL assessments which consider all relevant tests. Despite growing concerns, we maintain our position based on judicial determinations.
Question
Does continuing to supply parts for the F-35 programme comply with international law obligations? Why are diplomatic steps not more decisive?
Minister reply
We do not accept the premise that we are not abiding by our legal obligations. The F-35 programme is necessary for European security, and robust legal advice supports the carve-out implemented.
Question
What steps are being taken to secure hostage release? What discussions have occurred with Israel on aid access?
Minister reply
We welcome the release of Edan Alexander and continue efforts for others. Aid restrictions mean 100% of UK-funded aid is currently unable to enter Gaza; we will see if a breakdown can be provided.
Question
Will the Government recognise that Israel's blockade constitutes a violation of international law? Have they taken steps to meet their obligations under the ICJ’s January 2024 order regarding genocide prevention?
Minister reply
These responsibilities weigh heavily on me. The UK has restored funding to UNRWA, suspended arms exports as described, and provided £129 million in humanitarian aid. We are one of the loudest voices ensuring that aid enters Gaza, work with Jordan for medicine flights, Egypt for evacuations, Project Pure Hope for children in the UK, and Kuwait through UNICEF for vulnerable children.
Question
With 147 countries recognising Palestinian statehood, is now not the right time for the UK to do so?
Minister reply
The question of recognition is one of vital importance. We want to contribute to a more stable region and see serious threats to Palestinian life. However, we are focused on the immediate viability of Palestinian life in these urgent days.
Question
Is the Minister aware that many Friends of Israel worldwide question whether the current actions constitute genocide?
Minister reply
It is for international courts to make determinations on questions of legal determination, and we will abide by our obligations under international humanitarian law.
Question
What steps are this Labour Government taking to get more aid in, release hostages, and bring about a ceasefire?
Minister reply
We remain committed to a two-state solution and focus all diplomatic efforts on ensuring a change of course towards a ceasefire, hostage release, and return to a peaceful two-state solution.
Question
Should we be careful about the use of the term 'genocide' in describing Israel's actions?
Minister reply
The Government’s long-standing position is that it is for international courts to make determinations on such matters, and we will abide by our obligations under international humanitarian law.
Question
Does the Minister agree that UK has an obligation to prevent actions enabling genocidal acts?
Minister reply
The UK will not support any aid mechanism seeking political or military objectives, nor will it put vulnerable people at risk. The obligations under international humanitarian law and international law fall on Israel as the occupying power.
Question
Does the Minister think that the British Government have lost their moral and legal compass in continuing tacit support for Israel?
Minister reply
The Government condemn from the Dispatch Box much of the inflammatory language used, including by the Liberal Democrat spokesperson. We will continue to do so and make our views known to the Israeli Government.
Question
Why are we still sending arms and not sanctioning Israeli Ministers? The UN has said that as a signatory to the Geneva convention, we have a legal obligation to prevent genocide.
Minister reply
We will work urgently with allies and partners on further pressure to make Israel change course.
Question
The Government lawyers argue in the High Court that there is no evidence of genocide; why haven't they sought an independent assessment?
Minister reply
We continue to assess potential breaches of international humanitarian law regularly. The claim that we avoid internal assessments for policy justification is incorrect.
Question
Tom Fletcher, the UN’s aid chief, asked: 'What more evidence do you need now?... Will you act—decisively—to prevent genocide?' What is your response?
Minister reply
We have already taken decisive action by suspending arms licences and imposing sanctions on Israeli settlers. We will continue to work with our allies for further pressure.
Question
Does the Minister share my dismay that Hamas's strategy of provoking a massive, frenzied reaction seems to be succeeding?
Minister reply
Yes, I am dismayed by the events since 7 October. We hope for stability and normal diplomatic relations in the region with a two-state solution.
Question
Given this week’s news about genocide, what new assessments have been made to determine further actions we can take?
Minister reply
Regular and rolling assessments are made. We will continue urgent work with our allies for additional pressure.
Question
Are parts for F-35 jets still being supplied to Israel, despite the bombardment of Gaza?
Minister reply
F-35 sales directly to Israel have been suspended. Sales to a global pool necessary for continued functionality are not suspended.
Question
What more evidence do we need before taking action, and what further steps can be taken?
Minister reply
We will work urgently with our allies to ensure Israel changes course. The situation remains unacceptable.
Question
Does the Minister agree that Hamas is unequivocally embarking on genocide, more than Israel?
Minister reply
Hamas's despicable actions and rhetoric have been condemned many times. The situation was triggered by events of 7 October.
Question
What action will the Government take if Israel does not allow aid into Gaza within the next 24 hours?
Minister reply
We continue to urge Israel to change course through steps with our allies.
Question
Is it clear that the Israeli Government's policy is more about protecting political life than saving hostages and Palestinians?
Minister reply
We will continue to work with our allies for further steps.
Question
Does the Minister accept that where prima facie evidence of genocide exists, awaiting for the determination to be made formally by a court is not sufficient for us to meet the duty to prevent under the genocide convention?
Minister reply
In this case, the International Court of Justice is clearly the correct authority. It has issued a set of provisional measures which we support.
Question
Civilians are starving to death in Gaza. Aid has been held for 10 weeks, used as a weapon against innocent civilians. What further actions can the Government take to send a clearer message to Israel that this absolutely has to stop? Will the Minister look again at sanctions and arms export licences?
Minister reply
I have raised this personally in every way I thought possible to try and make progress, and we will continue to do so. We are not scared in the performance of our duties; we keep all these matters under close review.
Question
Does the Minister have any information about how much aid is being held in Hamas-controlled warehouses in Gaza? Is our link to Tehran a key issue here?
Minister reply
We take serious steps to ensure that Hamas do not get access to aid. We supported a review into UNRWA's function and agree with the hon. Gentleman that Iran’s malign role in the region must stop.
Question
Forcible displacement is a war crime; it is already happening and about to accelerate. Will he say, as the head of UNRWA said this week and former Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon did last week, that Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza?
Minister reply
I will resist making a determination at the Dispatch Box but am clear that forcible displacement is prohibited by international law.
Question
Does the Minister agree that as a signatory to the genocide convention, the UK has a legal duty to act when there is a risk of genocide? The alarms are flashing red; will they act?
Minister reply
I have set out the process of determination by the ICJ and provisional measures issued. We are not waiting for legal determinations but acting now to try to improve the lot of Palestinians.
Question
What is preventing the Government from imposing sanctions on Israel? What are they scared of?
Minister reply
To speculate about sanctions would reduce their effectiveness. We keep all matters under close review, not being scared in performing our duties.
Question
My constituents feel we are complicit in genocide while the people of Gaza starve and face bombings. What does the Minister say to my constituents?
Minister reply
We have restored funding to UNRWA, suspended arms licences, given £129 million in humanitarian aid, worked at the UN Security Council, and impacted Palestinian lives positively.
Question
Men, women, and children are dying every hour from hunger, disease, and bombs. What is the Minister doing to stop this?
Minister reply
We are not waiting for legal determinations; we are acting now, including suspending arms licences and giving humanitarian aid.
Question
Do the Government support or condemn Israel's most recent escalation of military action?
Minister reply
The British Government oppose the return to war in Gaza by the Israeli Government; we oppose the most recent escalation.
Question
To send a clear message to Israel, do we need to suspend all arms licences to Israel, including F-35 licences, impose sanctions against Israel, and recognise the state of Palestine?
Minister reply
I have addressed these substantive points already in this session.
Question
The Minister has been tut-tutting at Benjamin Netanyahu but doing little else. Can he advise this House how many more Gazans need to be killed, injured or starved by Israel until the Government do the right thing and bring widespread sanctions in?
Minister reply
We have already taken action as described earlier. The discussion on further sanctions is ongoing, and I am committed to returning to this Dispatch Box to address such questions from Members.
Question
Over the last 18 months, Israel has facilitated the entry of significant aid into Gaza. However, much of it ends up in Hamas warehouses and is not reaching those who need it. Will the Minister come up with a credible plan to get the aid through the blockade and prevent Hamas from capturing it?
Minister reply
Where Hamas interfere with aid deliveries, I condemn that utterly. We support proposals for other methods of getting aid into Gaza provided they adhere to humanitarian principles set out by the UN.
Question
The Minister's comments are often candid, but constituents continue to be horrified by the devastation in Gaza. The UN has stated that action must be taken now to prevent genocide. Does he understand their frustration with legal responses and want tangible actions?
Minister reply
I do understand the frustration of constituents who share similar sentiments. Everybody wants an end to the awful scenes playing out on television screens.
Question
The Government's legal submissions in court suggest that no evidence has been seen of Israel deliberately targeting civilians. In light of the available footage, including the BBC’s coverage of Gaza’s European hospital bombing, does the UK deny this evidence or risk perjury?
Minister reply
It is inappropriate to try and rehearse legal arguments currently being heard by the court.
Question
President Netanyahu’s refusal to stop his onslaught in Gaza has been met with widespread criticism. Will the Minister give us a vote in this place about immediately recognising Palestine, as we had in 2014, to strengthen negotiations with Israel and send a clear message that what is happening in Gaza must stop?
Minister reply
I understand the views of constituents affected by hostage situations. The issue of recognising Palestine has been discussed previously.
Question
The Minister acknowledged that genocide is a legal test for intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. Given Hamas’s charter and actions, how is the UK supporting Israel in its fight against this genocidal terrorist group?
Minister reply
I agree with the hon. Gentleman on the horrors of what Hamas has done but reiterate that we urge our ally to abide by international humanitarian law.
Question
The World Health Organisation warns Gazans face intergenerational scarring due to hunger, with 55 children dying from malnutrition. What assessment do the UK Government make of the extent of malnutrition in Gaza and deaths attributable to starvation?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend asks important questions which we are considering in detail based on recent IPC assessments.
Question
The Minister recognises the 70-day aid blockade has made starvation widespread in Gaza. During the recess, I was on a delegation hearing real fears that annexation of both Gaza and the west bank is near-inevitable. Can he give us some hope that there are further levers that can be pulled?
Minister reply
I will not speculate about further actions, but I recognise how welcome it is that my hon. Friend has travelled to the region. Egypt is an important partner for the UK on this question. We have supported airlifts in the past and we were glad to work with our Jordanian partners.
Question
The UN says that Israel’s denial of aid is evidence of 'the systematic dismantling of Palestinian life'. There is therefore a risk that we are witnesses to genocide. The Minister's Government can reinstate airlifts of aid along the lines of those arranged last year, which would send a powerful message. Will the Minister act now and enable aid airlifts?
Minister reply
We have supported airlifts in the past and we were glad to work with our Jordanian partners on that question. Given the scale of need in Gaza, we should not be displaced from the central question, which is ensuring that the road crossings open.
Question
Things should have been clear at the outset when Yoav Gallant said Israel will 'eliminate everything'. Some 18 months and 52,000 deaths later, Israel Katz stated that blocking aid was being used to 'pressure' Hamas. Can this Government now urgently act to prevent it?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend asks important questions, and I have been clear from the Dispatch Box that aid must not be used as a pressure tool, it must not be used as political leverage and it must not be used as a military tactic.
Question
The Foreign Secretary suggested that not enough Palestinians had been killed for it to constitute genocide. The Prime Minister stated that although he understood the definition of genocide, he did not see it as a genocide currently. What is the position of the Government?
Minister reply
I do not wish to seem evasive but when these questions are being determined in court this week, I do not want to get ahead of those submissions and discussions.
Question
Considering that we see live-streaming of a genocide against the Palestinian people—F-35s are crucial parts being used to bomb civilian camps and hospitals—are the Government considering whether Israel, given its actions, should be part of that global pool?
Minister reply
I do not wish to seem evasive but when these questions are being determined in court this week, I do not want to get ahead of those submissions and discussions.
Question
Some thanks should be given to the Minister for his temperament, his well-chosen words and his reaction to all questions. Undoubtedly, there are innocent people who are suffering and have been since Hamas’s genocidal attacks on 7 October. How does the Minister believe we can further push for peace?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman asks the vital central question: how can we return to a diplomatic process that provides for security and stability in the region? It must be in accordance with the Arab reconstruction plan, with no place for Hamas in the future, an immediate release of hostages, an immediate return of aid and a return to a diplomatic process.
Question
My constituents write to me on an almost daily basis, horrified by the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding. The denial of aid to innocent Palestinians is intolerable and unconscionable. What does further pressure on Israel look like?
Minister reply
I can reassure my hon. Friend that we discuss these matters urgently with our friends and allies, and we will always abide by our international legal obligations.
Question
Given the genocide unfolding before our eyes, will the Government drop the 2030 road map for UK-Israel bilateral relations and impose economic and diplomatic sanctions to apply pressure on Israel?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for her continued engagement in these questions but I am afraid that I will not be speculating on further sanctions from the Dispatch Box this afternoon.
Question
My constituents are deeply concerned about Israel’s recent plans and aid blockade. Will the UK Government impose meaningful sanctions to stop genocide?
Minister reply
I recognise the concern that my hon. Friend's constituents will be feeling but I can reassure him that we are considering all measures to try to ensure that aid gets into Gaza.
Question
The 10 long weeks since the Israeli blockade began have brought famine to the region. Does the UK Government, as a member of the UN Security Council, impose meaningful sanctions to stop genocide?
Minister reply
We have covered sanctions and determinations but I can reassure my hon. Friend that we consider our position on the Security Council to be an important responsibility which is why we called the meeting yesterday.
Question
Given the UK’s commitment to a two-state solution, and given our obligations under international law, can he explain how the Government justify engaging in trade negotiations with Israel while the UN is warning us about genocide in Gaza, and does he agree that pursuing a trade deal in these circumstances would undermine both our ability to broker a two-state solution and our positive obligation to act to prevent violations of international law?
Minister reply
I can assure the House that my focus is on the matters that we have discussed this afternoon. They are urgent and immediate, and they crowd out all other priorities.
Question
The truth is that there is no need for any organisation to tell the public that what is happening is genocide. After all, we have seen the attempted extermination of the Palestinian people televised live for over a year now. I put it to the Minister that this Government will be remembered as having been complicit in, and accomplices to, the war crime being committed by Israel. What actually has to happen before our Government will take meaningful action in the name of humanity and decency?
Minister reply
On the very first day I became a Minister, we restored funding to UNRWA, and within weeks we had taken the far-reaching actions that I have described in relation to arms sales. I understand the force of the question, and I understand the feeling of our constituents throughout the country, but let us not pretend that this Government have taken the same steps as the previous Government.
Question
After 70 days of aid being blockaded, we are watching an entirely preventable famine unfold in real time in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli Government’s anti-NGO Bill seeks to restrict the ability of lifesaving humanitarians to operate, and instead militarises aid delivery in violation of international humanitarian law. I thank the Minister for all his efforts and for his challenge on this point, but will he continue to challenge the Israeli Government on it, and does he agree that there has to be accountability?
Minister reply
I am familiar with the draft legislation in the Knesset, and we are engaging on the questions it raises.
Question
I thank my hon. Friend for all his work—it must sometimes feel very lonely on that Front Bench—and particularly welcome the urgent session that we managed to secure at the United Nations, but things have become more difficult in recent days, and we must ask whether we are doing enough with our allies on a number of fronts, particularly recognition. A private letter has been sent by dozens of my colleagues on this side of the House, and there is unity on both sides of the House in favour of recognition of the state of Palestine, action on sanctions for Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, and on the violent settlements. Above all, can we please rule out a trade deal?
Minister reply
I am genuinely grateful to all Members across the House who ask me questions and seek me out across the Palace to convey the force of their views on this. I have seen the letter to which my hon. Friend has referred, and I recognise, given the strength of feeling in all parts of the House, that I will be returning here almost daily. We will continue to work on the issues that my hon. Friend has outlined.
Government Response
Yesterday, alongside partners, the UK convened a meeting of the UN Security Council in response to the intolerable civilian suffering and humanitarian need in Gaza. Israel’s denial of aid is appalling; tonnes of food are currently blocked from reaching starving people. We urge Israel to lift restrictions on aid immediately. The ICJ case on genocide is ongoing; we support it but maintain that formal determinations should be made by judicial bodies, not governments or non-judicial entities. We will work urgently with allies and partners for further pressure to change course.