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UK Armed Forces in Middle East
29 April 2024
Lead MP
Leo Docherty
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
DefenceForeign Affairs
Other Contributors: 26
At a Glance
Leo Docherty raised concerns about uk armed forces in middle east in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Prime Minister and Government Ministers have provided updates on the UK's military role in the middle east through statements to Parliament. The UK has assisted allies and partners, supporting the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s response to Gaza's humanitarian crisis. Nine airdrops have delivered over 85 tonnes of aid, including food and medical supplies. UK military planners are working with US teams to develop maritime routes for aid delivery. RFA Cardigan Bay is en route from Cyprus to support the construction of a temporary pier for aid shipments. RAF aircraft have also been deployed to protect allies and counter threats.
John Healey
Lab
Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Question
Welcomes Minister back but raises concerns about limited sea shipments of UK aid, Ashdod port restrictions, morale in Royal Fleet Auxiliary, potential for UK ground troops deployment, and the Defence Secretary's lack of visits to the region. Urges Government to push for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian aid flow.
Minister reply
Acknowledges concerns about maritime aid delivery and Ashdod port but emphasises ongoing efforts through Cyprus corridor. Highlights substantial uplift in defence funding to boost morale across services, including Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Avoids commenting on speculation regarding ground troops deployment. Defends Defence Secretary's engagement and calls for sustainable ceasefire.
Question
Compliments Government’s efforts and asks if UK would only consider deploying forces with appropriate force protection in place.
Minister reply
Grateful for the compliment but declines to comment on speculation regarding potential deployments.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Question
Asks if US maritime aid corridor is needed due to Israeli restrictions, expresses concern about UK troops potentially stepping into a dangerous situation, references historical context, and urges for robust risk assessment.
Minister reply
Highlights the importance of regional solutions and ongoing humanitarian efforts through Cypriot and Jordanian corridors. Avoids commenting on speculative media reports or historical comparisons.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Advocates for the UK not to send troops to Gaza and instead support efforts by moderate Arab states in distributing aid, urging the Minister to maintain focus on supporting Ukraine. He mentions an additional uplift of £500 million in annual support for Ukraine, bringing this year’s total support to a record £3 billion.
Minister reply
Agrees with Julian Lewis that regional actors should address humanitarian and political challenges within their region. Confirms the government's commitment to maintaining focus on supporting Ukrainian sovereignty with an additional £500 million in annual defence support.
Derek Twigg
Lab
Widnes and Halewood
Question
Concerned about the strain placed on UK armed forces due to recent Middle Eastern conflicts. Asks what measures are being taken to ensure rest and resilience for service personnel.
Minister reply
States that funding for defence is increasing to record levels, providing more capacity for training, rest, and personal well-being of service members. Defence investment will reach 2.5% of GDP by 2030, boosting retention and effectiveness.
Suella Braverman
Con
Fareham
Question
Requests assurances that UK support for Israel would remain resolute should they enter Rafah to combat Hamas.
Minister reply
Confirms the view of Hamas as a terrorist organisation responsible for atrocities and calls on them to lay down arms and release hostages, preconditions for any ceasefire.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Question
Asks if a parliamentary vote would be required before deploying British troops to Gaza following the precedent of Bosnia.
Minister reply
Asserts that the Government will remain accountable to Parliament, referencing lessons from previous missions.
Question
Worries about potential future legal repercussions for UK forces involved in Middle Eastern operations and seeks reassurance on this issue.
Minister reply
Reassures that UK forces operate under the full protection of law based on principles of collective self-defence.
Zarah Sultana
Your Party
Coventry South
Question
Questions the Minister's stance regarding potential arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for Israeli officials, given the death toll in Gaza.
Minister reply
States that this topic is out of scope.
Robert Jenrick
Reform
Newark
Question
Considers it unwise to deploy British forces to Gaza and urges the Minister to reassure constituents accordingly.
Minister reply
Agrees with Jenrick’s analysis and confirms that no deployment of British troops to Gaza is being considered.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
Inquires about discussions for UN security forces accompanying aid trucks into Gaza and rebuilding infrastructure.
Minister reply
Confirms ongoing efforts from Ministers and officials to facilitate greater humanitarian aid flow into Gaza.
Question
Requests assurance on the inclusion of force protection in operational plans, and the potential role of UN forces in Gaza.
Minister reply
Gives assurances regarding deployment considerations for RFA Cardigan Bay.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Question
Expresses concern over continued violence in Gaza, pressing for pressure on Israel to halt bombardments and avoid deploying British troops.
Minister reply
Reiterates the necessity of Hamas laying down arms and releasing hostages as preconditions for a ceasefire.
Question
Highlights Iran's threat to regional stability, suggesting an ongoing role for UK forces in defending collective security.
Minister reply
Agrees with the importance of British armed forces’ contributions to peace and stability across the region.
Nadia Whittome
Lab
Nottingham East
Question
Questions the government's refusal to back calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza amidst reports of famine.
Minister reply
Emphasises that a ceasefire is necessary but contingent upon Hamas laying down arms and releasing hostages.
Question
Concerned about the welfare of hostages and seeks assurance on continued efforts to locate them.
Minister reply
Offers reassurance regarding ongoing military and intelligence efforts to support Israel in locating missing hostages.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Question
Two months ago, the House passed Labour’s motion calling for an immediate ceasefire. We believe that Hamas must immediately release their hostages, but Israel must also look at releasing its prisoners. There has to be an immediate and unimpeded supply of aid into Gaza, but I am really concerned about UK forces getting involved. We should rely absolutely on aid being delivered by the charities and voluntary organisations on the ground. What is the Defence Secretary doing with our allies and regional partners to secure an immediate ceasefire?
Minister reply
We continue to make the point that Hamas must lay down their arms and release the hostages. That is the precondition for peace.
Question
The key problem, as my hon. Friend will know, is that Hamas and Islamic Jihad are appropriating aid meant for the Palestinians. What steps are our armed forces taking to ensure that aid gets to those who really need it, not the terrorist networks? What steps are they taking against Hamas’s terrorist tunnels under the Egyptian border? British armed forces could play a significant role in working with Israel to dismantle the tunnel networks.
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend asks a very good question, and a huge amount of effort is going into this. We are energetically leaning into the prospect of a greater degree of aid flowing through the Cypriot and Jordanian humanitarian corridors, and the JLOTS temporary pier capability could be an absolute game changer.
Question
The Government continue to provide huge sums of taxpayers’ money for arms and weapons for Ukraine, but minimal funding for humanitarian aid for Gaza. Does the Minister believe that the UK public share the Government’s spending priorities?
Minister reply
I believe they do, yes.
Question
Despite some positive noises coming out of the middle east about a truce, for my constituents in Bolton it is deeply worrying to see reports of an increasingly likely ground offensive in the southern city of Rafah. The Minister spoke about not wanting to see any more bloodshed, but if there is a ground offensive, more blood will be shed. What are our Government, the Ministry of Defence in particular, doing to avoid bloodshed happening in Rafah and to prepare for different scenarios?
Minister reply
We always make the point to our Israeli colleagues that the protection of civilian life is imperative. We acknowledge that Israel has an absolute right to self-defence, and we hope that Hamas will recognise that the path to peace lies in laying down their arms and releasing the hostages.
Question
My understanding is that the British Government do not support the ground offensive by the Israeli military in Rafah. Will they therefore use all the leverage at their disposal, including withdrawing arms export licences, if the Israeli Government act against British policy?
Minister reply
We have one of the world’s toughest arms export regimes, of which we should be very proud.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Question
On the middle east, it is a decade since this House voted to support the UK’s joining the global coalition against Daesh. Although territory has been liberated, does not the recent strike by the RAF against a rocket launcher being used to target coalition forces underline the need for a sustained, long-term commitment to defeat and destroy terrorism?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right about that, and we should be grateful for the role played by the RAF. It is a reminder that the price of peace is eternal vigilance.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Minister for his responses. I very much welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement last week about the extra defence spending. It is important that we support innocent victims who cannot protect themselves. The UK’s role in the middle east is much appreciated, acclaimed and respected. Does the Minister agree that in response to recent increased Iranian threats, for instance with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps being responsible for Hamas terrorist attacks across Gaza and the broader middle east, we must do whatever we can within our budget to encourage de-escalation and to try to prevent further attacks by Iran and its supporters?
Minister reply
I agree with the hon. Gentleman; he rightly says that putting in 2.5% of GDP by 2030 will provide that boost and ensure that we have the operational capability to achieve that global response that we need to keep our country safe.
Question
We talk about 500 trucks a day because that was the pre-war number, but that was when Gaza had a relatively functioning economy and an agricultural sector to back it up. Therefore, more than 400 trucks will be needed, by land and sea, and so I thank the armed forces for their help in delivering aid and in helping to build the pier. What pressure are we putting on Israel to get more aid quickly delivered by land, which is the best and quickest way of doing it, and on the use of UNRWA in northern Gaza, as it has the most effective system to get aid to the right places quickly?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is correct: we do need to increase that flow. What would be a game changer is opening the port of Ashdod, and we continue to make that point forcefully to our colleagues.
Question
Does my hon. Friend agree that His Majesty’s armed forces could be providing any humanitarian support, now or in the future, only with Israel’s total co-operation and that it should be recognised for that? Has he noted also that Israel’s Iron Dome and Arrow 3 defensive systems, among other things, would, in effect, be part of the protection of His Majesty’s and other allied forces? Does he agree that that makes even more nonsense of the anti-Israel interests’ call for an arms embargo against Israel, because if allied forces, including His Majesty’s forces, were to be acting in the region, they would be looking for support from Israel itself?
Minister reply
My right hon. and learned Friend makes a very good point.
Shadow Comment
John Healey
Shadow Comment
Welcomes Minister's work but raises concerns about limited sea shipments of UK aid, Ashdod port restrictions, morale in Royal Fleet Auxiliary, potential for UK ground troops deployment, and the Defence Secretary's lack of visits to the region. Urges Government to push for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian aid flow.
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