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Israel and Gaza
19 December 2023
Lead MP
Andrew Mitchell
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Other Contributors: 48
At a Glance
Andrew Mitchell raised concerns about israel and gaza 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 House is deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza. The UK is deploying diplomatic resources to find a viable solution, including at the United Nations. The scale of civilian deaths and displacement is alarming; the minister was particularly disturbed by reports from the Holy Family church complex where civilians lack water and food and face sniper fire. While Israel has the right to defend itself, it must abide by international law to protect civilians.
Immediate priorities include securing British hostages' release, showing solidarity with Israel in defending against Hamas while respecting humanitarian law, and calling for humanitarian pauses at the UN and directly with Israel to distribute emergency aid such as fuel, water, and medicine. The Foreign Secretary will discuss this situation in Egypt and Jordan. An additional £30 million has been announced by the UK Government, tripling aid for the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
74 tonnes of aid have already been delivered, but more is needed due to high casualty numbers and unaccounted hostages numbering over 130. The minister calls on Hamas to release all hostages immediately and advocates a two-state solution as essential for long-term peace.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Question
The Liberal Democrats express deep concern about civilians trapped in Gaza, particularly those in the Holy Family church complex suffering from lack of food, water, electricity, and sniper fire. They condemn Israel's forced displacement of civilians against their will and demand condemnation of such actions by the UK Government.
Minister reply
Thanking Layla Moran for her update on the Holy Family church complex, Mitchell confirms that international humanitarian law must be abided by. He notes 191 trucks entered Gaza yesterday, including new Kerem Shalom route (64 trucks). The UK is working with partners on a UN resolution expected to be voted on at 3 pm today.
Question
Tobias Ellwood highlights hate and intolerance in the UK fuelled by events in Gaza, urging for international intervention to prevent further escalation. He questions clarity from Israel about the occupation's duration and expresses concern over mounting casualties.
Minister reply
Andrew Mitchell condemns Tobias Ellwood’s experience with racism and intolerance and emphasises working towards a more sustainable cessation of hostilities. The UK stresses the importance of a surgical approach by Israeli forces, advocating for extensive humanitarian pauses to facilitate aid distribution.
David Lammy
Lab
Tottenham
Question
Expressed condolences to Layla Moran for her family's situation in Gaza and raised concerns about civilian deaths, including an incident at a church. Criticised the ongoing conflict and emphasised the need for a sustainable ceasefire.
Minister reply
Thanked Lammy for his comments and acknowledged the efforts being made towards a sustainable ceasefire. Mentioned that World Food Programme trucks were ready to travel through Israel to Kerem Shalom, providing humanitarian aid.
Robert Jenrick
Reform
Newark
Question
Argued against the idea of a 'sustainable ceasefire' and supported Israel's right to defend itself. He emphasised that allowing Israel to finish its mission was crucial for protecting Israeli security.
Minister reply
Stated that while weapons were found in Gaza hospitals, he disagreed with Jenrick’s stance on sustainable ceasefire but acknowledged the need for humanitarian pauses.
Brendan O'Hara
SNP
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Question
Called out the Government's responsibility to support a UN Security Council resolution aiming for a ceasefire. Asked when the UK would support such resolutions.
Minister reply
Clarified that the Government was doing what they believed to be right, emphasising Israel’s right to defend itself while urging it to minimize civilian casualties.
Question
Welcomed calls for a sustainable ceasefire and referenced letters received by the Foreign Secretary from Back Benchers and foreign policy experts advocating for such a resolution.
Minister reply
Confirmed that the Government supports establishing two states through politics and diplomacy, echoing the views of signatories.
Question
Asked if the Minister would raise concerns about Israeli forces’ lack of fire control discipline following an incident at Holy Family church.
Minister reply
Noted that an inquiry into the matter was already underway by the Israeli forces.
Question
Discussed the arrest of Hamas fighters and recovery of weaponry in Gaza hospitals, condemning Hamas for storing weapons in incubators.
Minister reply
Condemned Hamas’s disregard for civilian human life, referencing reports about weapon storage in Kamal Adwan Hospital.
Valerie Vaz
Lab
Walsall and Bloxwich
Question
Asked the Minister to comment on Cardinal Vincent Nichols's account of events at Holy Family church.
Minister reply
Noted that he respected what the Cardinal Archbishop had said but could not make a judgment.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Question
Suggested sympathy for Israel's position after October pogroms but expressed concern over indiscriminate bombing and its long-term implications.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the need for a sustainable ceasefire and respect for international humanitarian law, emphasising the importance of advancing a political track.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Question
Called for an immediate ceasefire to address long-term issues such as Israel's occupation of West Bank and the siege of Gaza.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the importance of the UN Security Council resolution, emphasising its role in moving towards a political solution.
Bury South
Question
We all welcomed the humanitarian pause that saw the release of hostages and aid delivery to Gaza. On 1 December, the seven-day pause collapsed due to rocket firing from Gaza into Israel and Hamas failing to provide a daily list of hostages for release as agreed. Will the Minister join me in criticising Hamas's violation of the truce agreement?
Minister reply
The House will note what has been said by the hon. Gentleman. We are doing everything we can to get humanitarian support into Gaza, including focusing specifically on maritime opportunities such as the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Lyme Bay being loaded with supplies in Cyprus and ready to sail once assurances for delivery can be made.
Question
With almost 20,000 deaths in Gaza and 153 countries voting for a ceasefire, when will the Government consider this as happening now? Will the Minister meet me to discuss ways of working with Egyptian Government and other partners to ensure aid can get from Bolton into Gaza?
Minister reply
The hon. Friend's information and work from his community in Bolton is valuable and available to the Foreign Office. The Minister will be pleased to see him at a mutually convenient time.
Zarah Sultana
Your Party
Coventry South
Question
Professor Ghassan Abu Sitta, a British Palestinian doctor who returned from Gaza, spoke about the severe lack of medical supplies and use of vinegar and washing up liquid to sterilise wounds. Will the Government finally listen to global calls for an immediate ceasefire?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady’s intervention highlights the importance of achieving a sustainable ceasefire as set out by the Foreign Secretary.
Question
Over the weekend, Israelis uncovered the largest Hamas tunnel, and there were firearms in incubators for premature babies at a hospital where 70 Hamas fighters surrendered. Does he agree that these are important reminders of Hamas's use of human shields and why Hamas must no longer brutalise Gaza’s population?
Minister reply
I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for his comments. We are trying to ensure hostages are released swiftly, rockets stop, and we move towards a political process as soon as feasible.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Question
British Palestinians have seen generations of relatives killed, homes destroyed. Have the Prime Minister or Foreign Secretary met British Palestinian families to understand how they are affected by Israel’s strikes?
Minister reply
My understanding is that both the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister have had access to relevant information. The hon. Gentleman's plea for difficulties to end will be considered, as we do everything we can to see his wishes fulfilled.
Question
There is nothing morally courageous about arguing for those who committed atrocities on 7 October to remain in power. While some may hope Israel does not succeed against Hamas, many of us support the Government's strong stand and moral clarity.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes a good point. We are determined that Palestinians can run their territory with regional Arab state involvement in a political initiative.
Rushanara Ali
Lab
Bethnal Green and Stepney
Question
A group of experts, including the former chief of UK armed forces, have called for an immediate ceasefire at the UN Security Council. Can the Minister say more about what the Government are doing to convince the US to abstain on or support a resolution?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady will know that Britain takes a leading role in drafting and executing resolutions. British diplomats are working flat out to secure an agreement on the UN Security Council resolution.
Question
UNRWA is looking after 1.4 million people, more than half of Gaza's population. On a visit in May, we heard that UNRWA was struggling to find funding. Can the Government ensure UNRWA receives money and aid it needs for humanitarian assistance?
Minister reply
We are clear that UNRWA is playing a critical role in Gaza. We have significantly increased our support to UNRWA and the Americans have re-engaged in supporting UNRWA.
Question
Given the release of the latest Hamas video of three elderly male civilian hostages, does the Minister agree that these innocent hostages should not be forgotten in conflict? Will the Government continue to do all they can for their safe release?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman's view is well heard and respected. We will continue to ensure safe release of hostages as part of any negotiations.
Question
There are horrific accounts of sexual violence against hostages, including gang rape and genital mutilation. Will the Government stand firmly with survivors of sexual violence used as a tool of conflict and strengthen their access to justice?
Minister reply
The view is well heard and respected. We will continue to stop gender-based violence in warfare.
Question
If a vote on a ceasefire is brought forward today at the UN Security Council, can the Minister assure that the Government will not abdicate their responsibility and will vote for it?
Minister reply
The Government certainly will not abdicate their responsibility but how we exercise our vote on the Security Council will depend on the text agreed.
Question
The Bibas family, including 11-month-old Kfir Bibas, were kidnapped on 7 October. Does the Minister agree that preconditions for a ceasefire must include both military defeat of Hamas and return of all hostages?
Minister reply
Yes.
Stella Creasy
Lab Co-op
Walthamstow
Question
The challenge in securing a sustainable ceasefire is not just the immediate military concerns, but also the allegations of war crimes. Can the Minister update us on whether he has identified mechanisms to ensure no impunity for those who commit war crimes?
Minister reply
The Government have no tolerance of impunity for war crimes and support legal mechanisms to ensure accountability.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
One hundred and twenty-nine hostages are in captivity at the hands of Hamas. The international Red Cross has not been given access, and Hamas is meeting with other terrorist groups in Turkey to plan further attacks. Why does calling for a ceasefire enable Hamas to regroup?
Minister reply
Israel has an absolute right of self-defence against those who perpetrated the events on 7 October.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Question
Human Rights Watch and others have warned about war crimes being committed by Israel. Shouldn't the Government call for an immediate ceasefire to help prevent further such crimes?
Minister reply
The Government expect Israel to abide by international humanitarian law.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
What assessment has my right hon. Friend made of Turkey’s role in facilitating Hamas's continuing war crimes, and how will he pursue accountability for supposed NATO allies and strategic partners?
Minister reply
The Government are seeking humanitarian pauses to get aid in but do not think a ceasefire is possible or practical at this time.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
Is the real reason for many civilian casualties in Gaza that Hamas has used civilians as cover? Shouldn't Israel be allowed to fulfill its obligation to protect its people by eliminating Hamas?
Minister reply
While Israel uses its military forces to defend its population, Hamas uses its civilian population to defend itself.
Andrew Western
Lab
Stretford and Urmston
Question
Given the comments from the Israeli ambassador ruling out a two-state solution, is it not time for a permanent ceasefire to enable diplomatic measures necessary for lasting peace?
Minister reply
The Government are working towards a sustainable ceasefire that will move towards a political track.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
Will the UK Government urge Israel to ratify the Rome statute and become a state party to the International Criminal Court?
Minister reply
The decision for countries to join the ICC is theirs, as Britain being a signatory.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Question
Many Israeli leaders have pushed for expelling Palestinians from Gaza. Does the Minister assure that the British Government opposes any such attempt to forcibly expel or displace Palestinians?
Minister reply
Yes, the British Government opposes any such attempts.
Rupa Huq
Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Question
With death, devastation, and destruction in Gaza, how can we allow present tactics to go on unabated when there is no clear picture of how or when this will end?
Minister reply
The Government are working towards a political track as soon as it is possible.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Question
Does the Minister agree that although humanitarian pauses are important steps, only a lasting ceasefire will bring about peace? Does he also agree that Israel must want the same for its neighbour to have statehood?
Minister reply
The Government are working towards a sustainable ceasefire to move towards a political track.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Question
What will the Minister say more about how we will permanently end this cycle of violence? How do we get a two-state solution?
Minister reply
The Government are not calling for a ceasefire and hoping it becomes permanent but working towards a sustainable one that moves to a political track.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Question
How is the UK working to ensure that power and communications infrastructure in Gaza are restored, so we can get help and clarity for those desperate individuals?
Minister reply
The Government will do everything possible when they have the opportunity.
Gavin Newlands
Lab
Question
The Government and those on the Labour Front Bench were rightly quick to condemn the heinous war crimes committed against civilians in Ukraine and by Hamas on 7 October. The Minister has repeatedly said that Israel needs to abide by international law, but he knows that Israel is not doing so. Is the cold-blooded killing of two civilian women seeking sanctuary in a church a war crime—yes or no?
Minister reply
In order to give an answer to the hon. Gentleman’s question, I need to know the full facts, and I very much hope that the full facts will become available before too long.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Question
The UK Government’s refusal to call for a ceasefire gives cover to this. How many tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians must be killed, and how many millions made refugees, starved or terrorised, before this Government call for it to stop, and to stop now?
Minister reply
I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman that that is the Government’s position; we are not providing cover for anything. We are insistent that international humanitarian law should be accepted and respected, and we will do everything we can to get to the position of a sustainable ceasefire, but, as he will accept, we are not there yet.
Tan Dhesi
Lab
Slough
Question
We do not just need an immediate cessation of fighting or a temporary week-long ceasefire like the one we had recently; we need negotiations to enable an enduring and permanent ceasefire. What are the UK Government doing to work with our international allies to enable just that?
Minister reply
The negotiations and discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu are widespread. The hon. Member will know that there have been regular discussions between our Prime Minister and Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the Foreign Secretary has been a part of them as well.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Question
Will the Minister meet the professor to hear for himself about the unspeakable pain and suffering being meted out to innocent people and explain to him why this Government still refuse to condemn these heinous contraventions of international humanitarian law?
Minister reply
Either I or another Foreign Office Minister will certainly be pleased to meet the professor. The harrowing evidence to which the hon. Member referred merely underlines the critical importance of moving towards a sustainable ceasefire and, in the immediate future, securing the humanitarian pauses that we are all seeking.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
While the Government should be leading the call for an immediate, complete and permanent ceasefire, what assurances has the Minister, the Foreign Secretary or indeed the Prime Minister had that actors in the conflict will abide by today’s UN Security Council resolution, should it pass?
Minister reply
The hon. Member is asking me to prophesy about the future. Let us see if we can secure a UN Security Council resolution, and then we can move to trying to ensure that everyone honours it.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Question
Will he help me with how two families I have can get out of Gaza: Alaa Safi, who has lost 50 members of her family, and Enas Alaloul, who have nothing to do with Hamas?
Minister reply
The hon. Member makes an important intervention about the humanitarian effects of what is going on in Gaza. But, as I have repeatedly said, that underlines the importance of the Government working day and night to try to deliver these pauses and then a sustainable ceasefire.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Question
May I impress on the Minister my constituents’ strength of support on the need for an immediate ceasefire, not only because of the starvation we are beginning to see and the children being treated with washing-up liquid and vinegar, but because 93 health workers have reportedly been detained, with no information on their whereabouts or wellbeing? Will the Minister give the Government’s assessment of the ability of the International Committee of the Red Cross to access health workers detained by Israeli forces?
Minister reply
The position is unclear, but the Government’s focus is very clear: it is to deliver the humanitarian pauses that we require in order to secure the necessary humanitarian support inside Gaza.
Question
Will the Minister now use all diplomatic measures, including sanctions, to compel Israel and Hamas to end alleged breaches of international law while also at last demanding a permanent, immediate ceasefire alongside the release of those hostages?
Minister reply
The hon. Member will have heard what I have said about the plausibility of an immediate and permanent ceasefire. On his point about the civilians who are in such extreme jeopardy, he will be aware that Hamas quite deliberately use civilians to defend themselves and for military purposes.
Jeff Smith
Lab
Manchester Withington
Question
I note what the Minister has said about no impunity for war crimes, but that comes after the event. What signal will the UN send today to Israel to say that the line has clearly been crossed, we cannot support it, and we do not condone what it has been doing in Gaza?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady is right to say that there have been far too many civilian casualties in this fighting and that a more surgical approach is required.
Question
Why is there not a similar statement on the advice for travel to Israel?
Minister reply
Because the two situations are not analogous.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Question
That was written by the then Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, during Israel’s Operation Protective Edge in August 2014. What are the British Government doing to prevent the recurrence of the terrible violence we are seeing in another decade?
Minister reply
The hon. Member is right to point to the fact that this dispute has continued down the years.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Minister for his response, and for and his and the Government’s stance on Hamas, which are clearly a terrorist group. They are the baby killers, rapists and killers of innocent people—not just Israelis but innocent Palestinians. That is who Hamas are, and they must be destroyed. Can the Minister confirm, on day 74 of Israel’s response to the Hamas terrorist murders, whether he believes that we have been able to exert any meaningful influence to bring positive steps forward for the release of the hostages?
Minister reply
We are doing everything we possibly can to get the hostages out. The hon. Gentleman will understand that I cannot give the House a running commentary on that. In respect of his earlier comments, I thank him for his humanity and his wisdom. I wish a happy Christmas to him, you, Mr Speaker, and the whole House.
Shadow Comment
Layla Moran
Shadow Comment
The Liberal Democrats express grave concern over the situation in Gaza, especially regarding civilians trapped in the Holy Family church complex facing dire conditions like lack of water, food, electricity, and constant sniper fire. The UK Government must condemn the forcible displacement of civilians as unacceptable.
While Israel has lost hostages to Hamas and others are reported dead or still captive after 73 days, there is an urgent need for a sustainable ceasefire. Although welcomed, the change in tone from 'sustainable' does not clarify whether it's a policy shift. The UK must demand an immediate bilateral ceasefire and reconsider votes at the UN Security Council.
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