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Question
Patel asked three specific questions for the Foreign Secretary: whether the British Government is fully leveraging its ability to influence outcomes, if diplomatic efforts have made any progress towards a sustainable end to the conflict, and what concrete steps are being taken by the UK to alleviate suffering in Gaza.
Minister reply
The minister responded by emphasising that the government has been committed to alleviating suffering through various measures such as restoring funding for aid agencies, suspending arms exports, signing agreements with Palestinian Authority, delivering sanctions on violent settlers, and providing over £250 million in development assistance. Additionally, the UK is supporting efforts to extract critically ill children from Gaza and offering scholarships for students to escape the conflict.
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Question
Why are the Government not taking more decisive action against Hamas, given the continued suffering in Gaza?
Minister reply
We are working closely with international partners to address the humanitarian crisis and secure a ceasefire. The UK is committed to supporting practical solutions for aid delivery and ensuring that any actions do not exacerbate existing tensions.
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Question
How will recognition of a Palestinian state contribute to peace when hostages are still held by Hamas?
Minister reply
While we support a two-state solution, the timing and conditions for recognising a Palestinian state must be carefully considered. We aim to secure a ceasefire and address humanitarian needs before proceeding with formal recognition.
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Question
How will the UK prevent illegal and dystopian plans, such as those proposed by the Trump Administration for Gaza's future?
Minister reply
We are engaging with regional partners to promote a peaceful and stable solution for Gaza. Any proposal must respect international law and ensure the welfare of Gazan people.
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Question
What additional steps is the UK taking to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza?
Minister reply
We are working with international partners, including UN agencies, to increase aid delivery and support for civilians. We will continue to advocate for a ceasefire and resolution of hostage situations.
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Lammy
Labour Party
Vauxhall
Question
The hon. Gentleman criticises our position on recognition. I ask him to reflect on that, because it must be right that the Government continue to give diplomacy an opportunity as we head to the UN alongside other partners.
Minister reply
I say to my hon. Friend that we continue to do all we can to bring the horrific suffering in this war to an end. Of course I recognise what legal scholars are saying about the conflict and in relation to genocide. That must be, appropriately, a matter for the legal system.
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Rishi Sunak
Conservative Party
Richmond and Northallerton
Question
I warmly welcome and support what the Foreign Secretary said about Iran, and in particular the joint E3 statement on imposing snapback sanctions. Could he update the House on the work we will do with our allies on enforcement?
Minister reply
As he knows, we work hand glove with our French and German counterparts, urging Iran to take us seriously and to go back to the negotiation table with the US.
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Question
Does the Foreign Secretary share my horror that among the thousands of civilian deaths in Gaza, it is estimated that at least 200 journalists have been killed? Does he agree that supporters need to tell Israel this is unacceptable?
Minister reply
I associate myself entirely with the right hon. Gentleman’s remarks. It is not only unacceptable; it also diminishes the Israeli Government in the eyes of young people across the globe.
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Question
Attempts to settle the E1 area of the West Bank ‘buries the idea of a Palestinian state.’ Would the Secretary of State commit to a further coordinated response with European partners over the coming weeks to ensure that those destructive plans are halted?
Minister reply
Yes, yes, yes. I have spent time in Bedouin villages that would be entirely gone as a result of these abysmal plans, so of course I will continue to work with partners to oppose them.
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Question
The famine in Gaza is clearly man-made and it is abominable. What more messages can we send to Netanyahu and the Israeli Government to say that the two-state solution is the only way forward?
Minister reply
I want to associate myself with the remarks of my hon. Friend, and I congratulate her on her recent wedding. She is absolutely right because there seem to be those in the Israeli Government who either want to see one state or no state perpetuated forever.
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Question
What action will His Majesty’s Government take if the Government of Israel proceed with their plan to build in the E1 corridor?
Minister reply
I am not going to get ahead of my skis. We continue to work with partners internationally on making those assessments. I spoke to the Israeli Foreign Minister and was very clear that we stand against that.
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Question
Does the Foreign Secretary recognise the parallel crisis in the belief of ordinary people across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in international law and in the UK’s response?
Minister reply
I do not accept that our response is inadequate. We have taken significant steps to suspend arms sales and support humanitarian aid efforts, working closely with partners like Germany and the US.
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Question
If we have done so much and had no effect, and if there is nothing left to do, what does he expect to change before the UN General Assembly meeting and why should we not immediately recognise a Palestinian state?
Minister reply
Diplomacy will continue until it succeeds. We are working closely with partners towards recognising Palestine in a way that drives change on the ground.
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Question
Will the Foreign Secretary provide an update on the Government’s progress in proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group?
Minister reply
We have commissioned work from Jonathan Hall on state threats and will come forward with further plans in the coming months.
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Question
Is what is happening in Gaza a genocide?
Minister reply
There are lawyers who take that view, but we have made an assessment based on international humanitarian law and suspended arms sales accordingly.
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Minister reply
The good news is that medical supplies and support from the World Food Programme are getting into Gaza. I will be discussing these issues in more detail during my visit to the region.
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Question
Why has he been so passive in defending the International Criminal Court in the face of another wave of American sanctions? What steps is he going to take to support that institution and the individuals who staff it in the face of those sanctions?
Minister reply
We have not been passive. We continue to fund and support the ICC, working closely with our Dutch colleagues on this issue.
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Question
Does he share my deep concern at the unacceptable new restrictions on visas and registration that are set to shut down the work of the most effective international humanitarian organisations in Gaza? What action are the Government taking to try to prevent that?
Minister reply
Restricting aid workers is unacceptable. We are also concerned about the starving of the Palestinian Authority of funds, which affects their ability to implement reforms and governance.
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Question
What reassurance can the Foreign Secretary give about the choice of timing and the signal that it sends?
Minister reply
The recognition is not unilateral; we are working with other countries for maximum leverage to bring about change on the ground. There can be no role for Hamas in a future Israel.
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Question
While I welcome the sanctions on Iran today, will the Foreign Secretary tell the House whether the UK is actively looking at fresh sanctions on Israel to prevent that further tragedy?
Minister reply
I cannot comment on sanctions from the Dispatch Box. We have implemented three packages of sanctions in the last year alone and two on Government Ministers.
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Question
Why have this Government still failed to sanction Netanyahu and his entire Cabinet?
Minister reply
We have implemented significant sanctions, including three packages in the last year alone and two on Government Ministers. I do not think France has yet sanctioned Ministers.
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No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.
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Question
What assurances has the Foreign Secretary therefore had from his colleagues in the Ministry of Defence that they have gained from their Israeli interlocutors the assurances that we need that the 40 or 50 incidents involving the IDF on the west bank and in Gaza since 2023 will be brought to a proper conclusion, and that any wrongdoing is held to account?
Minister reply
We called for independent scrutiny of some of this behaviour. We did call for an investigation into the awful atrocity involving World Central Kitchen staff where British nationals lost their lives, and we await an update from the advocate general. The Israelis have said there will be an investigation into the incidents last week but it is not clear that there will be an investigation for others.
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Question
I strongly welcome the Foreign Secretary’s historic move to recognise the state of Palestine and thank him for all the work he has done to progress this issue. While we follow the news from Gaza, let us remember the journalists who have risked their lives to bring us the news.
Minister reply
We are part of the Media Freedom Coalition, and the UK is urging Israel to allow immediate independent foreign media access and afford protections to journalists.
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Question
How can the Government continue to take no further action when there are so many options open to them? How many times have we heard the Foreign Secretary say in this Chamber that if things do not improve and if Israel does not desist, he will take further action, and yet he has not?
Minister reply
We banned arms sales to Israel back in September; Germany did so just a few weeks ago. We have had three rounds of sanctions against Israeli settlers and some expansion.
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Question
I thank the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for the Middle East for their work to secure an agreement to get students and young people out of Gaza to continue their studies. Can the Foreign Secretary reassure us that this Government will strain every muscle to bring the international community together so that we do not just recognise a state of Palestine but start a process that will deliver it on the ground?
Minister reply
We have supported the departure of over 500 individuals from Gaza since the beginning of the conflict. We want to support those young people; they are the future of Gaza.
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Question
Like the Secretary of State, I have supported a two-state solution for very many years, but there is a slight contradiction when he says that immediate recognition would not be rewarding Hamas because Hamas would be disarmed and a new state would be demilitarised. Is he saying that the recognition will not go ahead unless and until Hamas is disarmed?
Minister reply
The assessment on recognition will be made in the coming weeks but clearly the E1 settlement has moved the dial even further away from where we were a few weeks ago.
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Question
As we approach the second anniversary, can he explain to the House what threshold would need to be reached for a UN peacekeeping force to ensure safe passage of food and welfare to those who are starving and dying?
Minister reply
The Israeli Government have set themselves against some of the UN agencies that would need to uphold this.
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Question
Are we still supplying parts for F-35 jets that are used to bombard people in Gaza? Is information gathered by planes from RAF Akrotiri being shared with the Israeli military forces?
Minister reply
We are not selling arms that could be used in Gaza, and it is why we are not selling direct F-35 kit to Israel.
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Question
Over the summer I received messages from Fossie, Joseph and Alice, three children from Eastwood Baptist church, among many other messages. They expressed their sadness at the situation in Gaza and wanted my assurance that we are doing all that we can as a Government to bring an end to this horrendous conflict.
Minister reply
We do everything it can every day to bring this horrifying war and suffering to an end.
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Question
I welcome the anticipated recognition of Palestine, expected later this month. What representations has the Foreign Secretary made to the Israelis about journalists being blocked from entering Gaza?
Minister reply
We have made those representations to the Israeli Government.
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Question
The Foreign Secretary has the situation in Gaza on record, highlighting the starvation of Marwan Barghouti and pressing for his release. What is the UK government doing to see that happen?
Minister reply
I am grateful for the question from my hon. Friend who raised a very important issue about a man who can help push forward peace in the region. I will continue to raise this issue with international counterparts.
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Question
Is the Foreign Secretary aware of concerns that Elbit Systems UK might be awarded contracts worth £1.9 billion to £2.5 billion under the Army Collective Trading Service, entrenching them at the core of our defence infrastructure for 15 years?
Minister reply
I reassure the right hon. Gentleman that this is an open procurement process and no decisions have been made yet.
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Question
What more can we do with our European colleagues to stand with the Israeli opposition against Netanyahu's regime?
Minister reply
We are working closely with our European counterparts, and I have announced an additional £15 million today to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
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Question
Can the Foreign Secretary confirm that he specifically raised delivery of aid in his discussions with US counterparts?
Minister reply
I did raise those issues with Vice President Vance as well as with President Trump.
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Question
Does the Foreign Secretary agree that immediate action could be taken if Israel allowed UN trucks to enter Gaza?
Minister reply
Yes, I do—100%.
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Question
Why is the UK selling any arms to Israel when it is one of the deadliest conflicts for journalists and humanitarian workers?
Minister reply
We are not sending arms to Israel. We continue to export body armour that NGOs or journalists use on the ground in Gaza.
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Question
Does the Foreign Secretary agree that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state could further undermine prospects for a two-state solution?
Minister reply
The plans deliberately attempt to thwart a two-state solution; they are entirely unacceptable.
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Question
Is the ultimatum regarding unilateral recognition of Palestine disincentivising Hamas from negotiating any hostage release or ceasefire?
Minister reply
Hamas are in dialogue with our Egyptian and Qatari friends, and there have been announcements by Hamas on the terms for a ceasefire.
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Question
Will the Foreign Secretary tell us about UK efforts to evacuate people from Gaza, including doctors with family links to the UK?
Minister reply
We rely on Israeli permits and continue to work to evacuate people, particularly children.
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Question
Does the Foreign Secretary agree that Netanyahu is a war criminal?
Minister reply
I am aware of what is being said and we need a ceasefire to bring this horror show to an end.
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Question
What can the Foreign Secretary say today to show that there is hope for change in the near future?
Minister reply
I have spoken with envoy Steve Witkoff and continue to do everything we can. The UN Assembly coming together this month could be a big moment.
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Question
What practical help can the UK give as Israeli tries to set up safe zones and humanitarian corridors for Druze in Syria?
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Question
I ask him in all sincerity: what changes does he really expect by simply continuing to repeat that? If Israel has the ability to qualify, through those “unless” statements, whether recognition is granted, I ask him to reflect on that. In answer to the earlier exchange on the potential for a peacekeeping force, surely Israel should not have the ability to put a block on that.
Minister reply
I disagree with that last part. I simply refer my hon. Friend to what I have said. She will struggle to find another Government in the developed western world who have done more on sanctions than we have.
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Question
To date I have had no reply, so I have absolutely no idea whether those licences have been suspended and whether they are not being used. My residents are worried that while the licences are now for non-military items, the exemptions for licences may be used for things that could harm Palestinians. Will the Foreign Secretary please do all that he can to work with his colleagues in the Department for Business and Trade to make sure that we can get that reassurance?
Minister reply
Absolutely; I will take that up.
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Question
We have now witnessed man-made famine, the bombing of hospitals and hostages, and the denigration of the UN—I think the PLO delegation is banned from the General Assembly—going against all international norms. So would he agree with my constituents that on trade, sanctions and settlements, it is time to step up a gear in this ever-worsening situation and put the full force of action behind his very strong statements?
Minister reply
I disagree with that last part. I simply refer my hon. Friend to what I have said. She will struggle to find another Government in the developed western world who have done more on sanctions than we have.
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Question
If, as he says, recognition is rooted in the principle of a two-state solution, why is granting it being used as a tool to change Israel’s course, rather than taking other actions such as sanctioning Prime Minister Netanyahu?
Minister reply
I make no apology for trying to affect behaviour on the ground as we head to the UN General Assembly. We have spoken to Secretary of State Rubio, Envoy Steve Witkoff and Vice-President Vance about these issues.
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Question
Data from the Israeli military shows that 83% of people killed in Gaza since October 2023 have been civilians. Killing at this mass scale for months on end is unparalleled in modern conflict. Will the Foreign Secretary act to place far more pressure on Israel to end the mass killing of civilians by suspending the UK’s current trade agreement with Israel and sanctioning those responsible for breaching international law?
Minister reply
Over 63,000 people have now lost their lives and well over 100,000 are injured as a result of this war, so the hon. Member is right to put that front and centre.
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Question
Professor Oz-Salzberger described a 'battle for the soul of Israel' in the Financial Times of yesterday. Thousands and thousands of moderate voices in Israel are crying out for an end to this terrible war. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis march for peace. What can our Government do to support these people?
Minister reply
I am hugely grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing to mind the many Israelis marching and expressing deep concern for the plight of the hostages.
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Question
The United Nations described the famine in Gaza as a 'deliberate collapse of the systems needed for human survival' and 'a man-made disaster, a moral indictment, and a failure of humanity itself.' Every day my constituents ask me, 'What more would it take for the Government to recognise this as genocide?' What would the Foreign Secretary have me say to them?
Minister reply
I would refer to the remarks I have made before at this Dispatch Box. I recognise what is being said.
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Question
Is there more we can do to extend this coalition and increase the level of sanctions to stop this Israeli behaviour? Is it appropriate to transfer the UNGA meeting from New York to Geneva, as was done in 1988, so that the Palestinian delegation can attend?
Minister reply
I do think we need further dialogue on the issue of Palestinian attendance at that meeting. I recognise that these decisions were made previously and held in Geneva, but I hope that we can have some reconsideration.
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Question
Is it not time for us to lead our allies in actions that Israel might take notice of: sweeping trade sanctions, sanctions on Netanyahu and his entire Cabinet, and a commitment that we will recognise Gaza at the UN with no conditions?
Minister reply
The whole House will have heard what the hon. Member said, and she will have heard what I have said on a previous situation. I would ask her to look closely at what this Government have been doing—our leadership globally relative to other near partners.
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Question
I refuse to call it a war because it is not a war; there is one side that has arms and another side that does not have an equality of arms. The Foreign Secretary previously said that he would never rule out anything that could be helpful in this regard. I understand why he will not commit to further sanctions at the Dispatch Box, but can he assure the House that he has not ruled out further sanctions, or any other actions that might be helpful, both in the run-up to the UN meeting and beyond?
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Question
Since the atrocities of October 2023, what specific actions will this Government take to help Israel see sense and save lives?
Minister reply
We are doing all we can through diplomatic means, seeking to exert leverage with partners. We have made decisions that reflect our commitment to peace and international law.
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Question
What further action is the Government prepared to take to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza?
Minister reply
We plan for all scenarios but remain optimistic and hopeful, using every diplomatic lever at our disposal.
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Question
Does the Foreign Secretary realise that many people do not think he is doing enough to stop the famine in Gaza?
Minister reply
The British people are wise and concerned, recognising our role alongside partners and ascribing blame appropriately.
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Question
Will the Foreign Secretary commit to introducing a ban on all settlement trade so that money from the UK cannot fund illegal occupation?
Minister reply
Goods from settlements not entitled to tariff and trade preferences are important considerations, as outlined in UK business guidance.
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Question
How concerned is the Foreign Secretary that their legacy in the Middle East will be similar to previous Labour Governments?
Minister reply
This Government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Palestinian Authority, using every diplomatic lever to influence partners.
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Question
What steps will we take to hold the Israeli Government accountable under international law?
Minister reply
We have already made statements addressing these issues from the Dispatch Box, reflecting our commitment to international law.
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Question
Does he accept that the retrieval of two more dead Israeli hostages, while 48 are still being held either dead or alive by Hamas, indicates the unwillingness of Hamas to bring this war to an end? Does the Secretary of State believe there is any further way of bringing those hostages home?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is right that the return of hostages would see this war come to an end tomorrow, and he correctly centres hostage families in his remarks.
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Question
I thank my right hon. Friend for evacuating seriously injured children from Gaza. New restrictions on aid are due to be implemented fully on 9 September, affecting aid organisations that do not provide detailed information about Palestinian staff. Does he agree that women and girls have suffered the worst impacts of the war? Will he expand on how we can help them?
Minister reply
It is always women and girls who face pain and suffering in conflict, and they are critical to all our development work. The remarks made by others are not expected from any democratic partner.
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Question
The war is a moral outrage of the first order with daily killings of women and children. Will my right hon. Friend reassure me that he is doing everything possible to protect the International Criminal Court's independence from political interference?
Minister reply
The ICC is fundamental post-second world war, and this Government remains committed to its work free from political interference.
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Question
I welcome the Government’s commitment to recognising a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly. Violence in the West Bank has been horrific with Israeli forces displacing more than 40,000 Palestinians. What actions will the Foreign Secretary take to protect Palestinians at risk of forced transfer?
Minister reply
That is a decision I am discussing with the Palestinian Authority and I will be in the region soon to discuss further support.
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Question
Today, genocide was declared in Gaza. With famine officially declared earlier this summer, we have seen war crime after war crime. How can it be morally justifiable that while being robust on Russia with extensive sanctions, the UK lets Israel off lightly?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is a lawyer and when he says that, I would ask him to point to a nation doing more on sanctions than the United Kingdom.
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Question
I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s statement and actions taken already on sanctions, aid, and proposals to recognise Palestine. Given the facts on the ground, including famine, killing of women, children, healthcare workers, journalists, ongoing suffering of hostages, and intensification of military campaign, will he confirm that he will continue to work with international allies?
Minister reply
Yes, I give my hon. Friend that assurance.
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Question
In recent months more than 1,000 constituents contacted me about the brutal conflict in Gaza and its single biggest issue of concern locally. Does he agree that the Palestinian people have an inalienable right to statehood and a two-state solution?
Minister reply
We believe passionately in a two-state solution and keep this dream alive.
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Question
I thank the Foreign Secretary for his statement and stamina. The horror of the unfolding famine in Gaza is felt just as strongly on the Atlantic coast of Scotland. Will such sentiments inform our next round of sanctions against Netanyahu’s Government?
Minister reply
I recognise what is being said by international scholars around the world, including suspension of arms sales.
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Question
What happened on 7 October was inhumane: Hamas are terrorists and hostages must be returned immediately. Israel's behaviour is unacceptable and they violate articles of the fourth Geneva convention. Will the Government do all that they can to support British prosecutors and our courts?
Minister reply
As Foreign Secretary, it is my honour to stand shoulder to shoulder with giants who gave us international humanitarian architecture.