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Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
23 March 2023
Lead MP
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
EconomyBrexitForeign AffairsBusiness & TradeWomen & Equalities
Other Contributors: 25
At a Glance
Anne-Marie Trevelyan raised concerns about israel and the occupied palestinian territories 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
EconomyBrexitForeign AffairsBusiness & TradeWomen & Equalities
Government Statement
The UK is deeply concerned about the increasing violence in the West Bank. The Foreign Secretary spoke to his Israeli counterpart, Eli Cohen, on Tuesday to urge de-escalation ahead of Easter, Passover and Ramadan. He also urged Palestinian leadership to avoid further cycles of violence. Israel and Palestine held meetings in Aqaba and Sharm el-Sheikh recently; the UK welcomes these engagements but calls for adherence to commitments made there. The UK wants three steps: 1) resumption of security cooperation between PA and Israel, combating terrorism, and improving area A's security situation; 2) tackling settler violence against Palestinians and ending impunity culture; 3) ceasing unilateral measures that hinder dialogue like approving settlements and evictions in east Jerusalem. The Foreign Secretary raised concerns about the E1 site expansion speculation and is pleased with a moratorium now imposed. However, the recent repeal of the Disengagement Plan Implementation Law by Knesset is worrying as it further undermines a two-state solution. Peace and security are essential for all Israelis and Palestinians, requiring political will, cooperation and meaningful actions from both sides.
Anum Qaisar
Lab
Question
Pays respects to killed Palestinians and Israelis; Ramadan Mubarak; Muslims fasting but facing human rights violations in Palestinian territories. More than a thousand at risk of forcible transfer, amounting to war crimes. Netanyahu visits UK tomorrow, must call for de-escalation. Will raise Amnesty International's conclusion on apartheid? Disgust at Finance Minister’s language denying Palestinians existence and wanting Huwara wiped out. Continued illegal settlements; suspend trade talks if construction doesn't stop. Systematic discrimination by military; halt arms sales approval, support ICC investigation into violations. Shireen Abu Akleh murder anniversary approaching; unless urgent action taken on ICC investigation, UK ignores impunity.
Minister reply
UK condemned the Finance Minister’s comments thoroughly. Netanyahu will visit tomorrow; Prime Minister will raise issues of concern as good friends do. Urges continued work with both Israel and Palestinian Authority for peaceful two-state solution. Voted against ICC referral resolution because it doesn't help dialogue.
Theresa Villiers
Con
Question
Recent terrorist attacks in Israel by children under 15, including stabbings and shootings; urges PA to tackle radicalisation and anti-Israel hatred leading to exploitation of children.
Minister reply
Distressing aspect of continued violence. Working with all parties to reduce levels of violence; Prime Minister will raise this during meetings tomorrow to urge measures against terrorism involving children.
Southgate and Wood Green
Question
The Labour party stands for international law, human rights and a negotiated peace based on a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a sovereign Palestinian state. At the last elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went into coalition with the far right and, under that new Government, an already fragile situation has worsened. His promotion of extremists Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich has put ultra-nationalism in key positions of the Israeli Government. I am sure that the whole House will have been appalled by Smotrich’s remarks in Paris this weekend, when he denied the very existence of the Palestinian people and their culture. Thus far, 2023 has seen one of the highest death tolls for Palestinians and Israelis in a long time, with more than 80 Palestinians and 14 Israelis killed this year. There has been a renewed assault on the rights of Palestinians, a ramping up of inflammatory rhetoric, and dangerous new moves to try to legitimatise illegal settlements, threatening the viability of a two-state solution. Israel has suffered from terrorist attacks and a new militant threat, and the Israeli Government are also taking steps that threaten to undermine Israel’s democracy. The weekly mass protests in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem demonstrate that Israeli society is now also deeply divided. What is the Minister’s assessment of the impact of what many in Israel see as fundamental attacks on their precious democracy? The Prime Minister has, in his meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu tomorrow, an opportunity to use Britain’s close relationship with Israel to take a clear stance on human rights, respect for international law and commitment to democracy. I am deeply concerned that the recently signed road map for UK-Israel bilateral relations dilutes long-standing UK positions, held by successive Governments, in relation to international law. The road map makes no mention of supporting a two-state solution, and it implies that settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories could be treated as part of Israel for the purposes of trade. Can the Minister tell the House whether the road map amounts to a change in policy, will she reiterate that the Government still support a two-state solution, and will she make it clear that the UK deplores the current escalation of violence?
Minister reply
It is always encouraging to hear both sides of the House agree that the UK’s position on the middle east process finding a resolution is that we want to see a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living side by side with a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, with Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states, and a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees. That remains a clear position and has not changed.
Question
Polling conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research showed that 72% of all Palestinians supported the formation of armed terror groups such as the Lions’ Den. These groups have been behind more than 1,000 terror incidents over the last year and are facilitated with Iranian and Hezbollah financial and military support. Does my right hon. Friend share my concern at the emergence of these groups, the high level of support they are receiving and the Palestinian Authority’s apparent loss of control over so much of the west bank to these terror groups?
Minister reply
I reiterate that we absolutely condemn violence from all sides, and we want to ensure that we help the Palestinian Authority to improve their security through the work of the British support team in Ramallah, whom I had the privilege to visit last year on my visit to the OPTs, along with the many networks that we are helping to strengthen and stabilise their own communities. We remain resolute in our commitment to Israel’s security, and we condemn Hamas’s use of indiscriminate and abhorrent rocket attacks.
Question
I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Airdrie and Shotts (Ms Qaisar) on securing this urgent question. Clearly, settlement expansion is a major issue in the violence that is continuing to break out. This week, the Israeli Parliament voted to allow Israeli citizens to occupy four sites in the west bank evacuated in the 2005 disengagement. The High Court of Justice has already classified this as private Palestinian land. Clearly, the moratorium that the Minister mentioned is not being respected here. We know that this is not a simple situation, but there are some simple steps that we can take here to make a difference. Will the Minister support the UK banning trade in Israeli settlement goods? Will she include the UK Government’s own stated position that these settlements are illegal in any and all agreements with Israel and provide for consequences for breach of that? Will she also carry that forward into forthcoming trade deal discussions? Will she stop the export of equipment and arms proven to be repeatedly used in settlement expansion, and will she do it now?
Minister reply
The UK’s position on settlements is clear: settlements are illegal under international law and call into question Israel’s commitment to the two-state solution. We have urged Israel to halt its settlement expansion, which we believe threatens the physical viability of a Palestinian state. In February, we and our partners—the US, France, Germany and Italy—set out strong opposition to these unilateral steps. They are contrary to international law, and they undermine the prospects for peace.
Question
I was really pleased to hear from the Minister that she and the Government continue to support the two-state solution on the former boundaries of 1967. How does she believe that can happen? When I visited recently, the settlements are being built on top of Palestinian houses, and they are insisting on demolitions of Palestinian houses. How can it possibly work?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend raises the concerns that we all have. The voice that we use directly with both our Israeli and our Palestinian friends sets out the continued clear direction that we want to see: de-escalation and, indeed, retrenchment from those illegal settlements. This continues to be something that is on the agenda whenever we are in talks with them, and I am certain that the Prime Minister will raise those issues tomorrow when Prime Minister Netanyahu is here.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Question
Time after time, we see on social media the crimes against humanity being visited on the Palestinian people. We see it with regularity: homes, houses and schools being destroyed, with bulldozers at the door. Will the Minister understand that this country has a special responsibility and a special place of leverage to make demands? We cannot keep going with the same endless warm words around this conflict. The time has come for this Government to recognise the state of Palestine with immediate effect, and to demand a ban on settlement goods and on the settlements themselves. Will she commit to that?
Minister reply
As I say, the UK Government continue to ask all parties to take urgent measures to reduce those tensions and de-escalate the situation. Because of what the hon. Gentleman has described, we continue to make those statements, and we are engaging closely with all our international partners to try to help end that deadly cycle of violence.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
Since January, 14 Israelis have been murdered by Palestinian terrorists, and 80 Palestinians have lost their lives during confrontation with the IDF or in the course of terrorist activities. At the same time, we have seen the emergence of Lions’ Den and other terrorist groups, and we have also seen the role of Iran in encouraging those terrorist groups across the world. Will my right hon. Friend review the position on Lions’ Den and these other terrorist groups so that they are proscribed in this country, and also finally proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in its entirety?
Minister reply
As my hon. Friend is aware, this is a Home Office issue, and as I have said, Prime Minister Netanyahu will be meeting the Home Secretary tomorrow on his visit. We continue to work closely with the Home Office on all these matters, and we will await its view on them.
Question
As the Minister has said, the settlements on the west bank are illegal and they undermine the possibility of a two-state solution, so will the Government make it absolutely clear to Benjamin Netanyahu that any attempt to annex the west bank is totally and unequivocally unacceptable?
Minister reply
As I have said, the UK’s position on settlements is absolutely clear. Settlements are illegal under international law and they call into question Israel’s commitment to a two-state solution. We continue to raise the issue with our Israeli counterparts and to condemn settler violence in order that de-escalation provides the opportunity for peace talks to progress.
Question
The historic Abraham accords prove once and for all that peace between Israel and her Arab neighbours is not only possible, but can quickly bring remarkable and positive change to the region. Will my right hon. Friend join me in celebrating the accords, and does she agree that Palestinian leaders would be best served by embracing their spirit and joining Israel at the negotiating table as soon as possible?
Minister reply
The Abraham accords have provided an opportunity to move forward, and we were pleased to see progress at the Aqaba and Sharm el-Sheikh meetings earlier in the year, and we continue to support and encourage all sides to continue that process. This is difficult—we understand that—and we stand ready to support all to ensure that a two-state solution is the one that we reach.
Seema Malhotra
Lab Co-op
Feltham and Heston
Question
This week, a ban was lifted to allow Israeli citizens back into the sites of four settlements in the occupied west bank. The UK must stand firm against any steps towards annexation. What concerns has the Minister raised about the legality of settlement expansion under international law and its impact on the viability of a two-state solution? Will further calls for action be made by the Government when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the UK?
Minister reply
The United Kingdom is opposed to the unilateral annexation of all or any part of the west bank. Such a move would be contrary to international law and damaging to peace efforts, and it could not pass unchallenged. We are committed to working with all parties to maintain calm and avoid provocation, and we are absolutely clear that demolitions and forced evictions are contrary to international humanitarian law.
Question
I call the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. Since the start of this year, as we have already heard, 15 Israelis have been killed and 70 injured in Palestinian terror attacks, with stabbings, shootings and bombings targeting innocent people. What steps is our Government taking to support Israel in combating terrorism?
Minister reply
We are appalled by the multiple terror attacks that have killed and injured Israelis and, indeed, Palestinian civilians in the early part of this year. While Israel has a legitimate right to defend itself, it is important that Israeli forces exercise maximum restraint, especially in the use of live fire, when protecting legitimate security interests. We are continuing to work, asking all parties to take urgent measures to reduce tensions in order to de-escalate this situation.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
The Minister will be aware of the remarks of the Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, saying that the Palestinian village of Huwara should be wiped out. She will also be aware that he has said: “There is no such thing as a Palestinian people.” Denying the existence of a people and calling for villages to be wiped out takes the level of rhetoric to a new level of unacceptability. With people like that now at the heart of the Netanyahu Government, is it not imperative that we do what we can to offer some protection to the Palestinian people by recognising, as a matter of urgency, the Palestinian state?
Minister reply
As I have said before, and I am happy to say again, the UK has condemned the Israeli Finance Minister’s comments calling for the Palestinian village of Huwara to be wiped out, and his recent comments that deny the existence of the Palestinian people, as well as their right to self-determination, their history and their culture. That is unacceptable, and we have made that clear, as have all our international partners. We continue to work with all parties, and with the Palestinian Authority, to provide support through the work of the British support team in Ramallah and our diplomatic teams in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, who are actively working on the ground and speaking to and working with their hosts.
Question
The situation in the region is deeply worrying, yet there is an ever-growing fear about what will happen when Palestine Authority President Mahmoud Abbas leaves the scene after almost two decades in power. Palestinians have borne the brunt of an undemocratic and corrupt Palestinian Authority for years, but the alternatives are likely to be much worse, and terror groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which have been behind much of the recent violence, are likely to attempt to fill the vacuum. What assessment has my right hon. Friend made of the situation?
Minister reply
We continue to call on Hamas and other terrorist groups to permanently end their incitement and rocket fire against Israel. The Government have assessed that Hamas in its entirety is concerned in terrorism, and in November 2021 we proscribed the organisation in full. We strongly condemn the incitement in the Hamas-run media and education system, which contributes to a culture of hate. As I say, we want to work with the Palestinian Authority and with Palestinians to help them to strengthen their economy and to support their next generation of young people in a successful two-state solution.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Question
The terror attacks on civilians in the Palestinian territories and in Israel have been a very sharp and terrible reminder of the need to build support for peace among the Palestinian people and the Israeli people. Five years ago, the UK Government expressed support for the International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, but there has not been much action since. Does the Minister agree that people-to-people co-existence projects between Israelis and Palestinians represent the best opportunity for building consensus around peace while we have a lack of a political process? What more can the Government do?
Minister reply
I agree with the right hon. Lady that relationships are strengthening through economic and academic ties. When I visited the Occupied Palestinian Territories last year, I met some wonderful young people developing incredible tech solutions and young business people with deep education and real enthusiasm for helping their country’s economy to grow. Through trade agreements that already exist with Israel, and opportunities with the Palestinian Authority, we are helping those relationships to grow. Alongside that, there is the work, as I have set out, to support peaceful solutions so that those young people have the peace and prosperity they richly deserve.
Question
The tragic escalation of violence that we are witnessing has been stoked by a number of terror actors, including Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas, which are actively seeking to sow the seeds of instability in the region. Guns, explosive devices and financial support have all flooded the region in a clear attempt to undermine the democratic state of Israel. What conversations is the Foreign Office having with regional parties about these subversive activities?
Minister reply
As I have set out, the Foreign Secretary speaks regularly with his counterparts, and our ambassador and teams in-country in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem work very closely day by day with many actors. We continue to do so, and if my hon. Friend would like a more detailed briefing, I am happy to set that up with the relevant Minister.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Question
Every death in this conflict is a tragedy, so I hope the Minister will disassociate herself from comments from those on her own side who either ignore the deaths of Palestinians or, in relation to Palestinian civilians—including the many children who have been murdered this year—choose to call them “confrontation with the IDF”. That is beyond the pale. The Minister said that the road map signed this week is out of date, which is candid. It contains no territorial clause, so it opens the way for illegal settlements to be treated as part of green line Israel. Far from raising concerns about the abuse of Palestinian human rights and breaches of international law, it attacks UN bodies for raising those very concerns. Does the Minister accept that this business-as-usual approach legitimises the actions of the extremists in the far-right Israeli Government in relation to both the incitement of violence against the Palestinian civilians and the de jure annexation of the west bank by its transfer to civilian administration?
Minister reply
I am afraid I do not recognise the hon. Gentleman’s characterisation of colleagues in different parts of the House. I think we all stand firmly together on the policy that those on the Labour Front Bench have highlighted, which is that we all want to see a two-state solution. We want to see Israelis and Palestinians able to live together, side by side, and allow their economies and young people to thrive in a peaceful environment. We continue to work at many levels to support that process, as I have set out. The road map sets out a series of work programmes, where we will work together in support of economic and security ties. We continue to make—as we clearly do this morning—our position known on what we consider to be violence that needs to be de-escalated.
Question
Will the Minister finally acknowledge, on the Floor of the House, that Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are subjected to mass, calculated discrimination at the hands of Israeli authorities, and will she urgently halt arms trade to Israel?
Minister reply
As I have said, we continue to be deeply troubled by the high number of Palestinian civilians killed and injured. The Foreign Secretary has raised that matter recently, and I know the Prime Minister will continue to do so in his meeting tomorrow.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Question
Concerned about escalating violence between Israelis and Palestinians, Florence Eshalomi asks for clarification on the Minister's comments regarding the road map document which outlines commitments to a two-state solution.
Minister reply
The UK Government aims to strengthen co-operation with Israel in economic, security, and technology areas while addressing escalating violence by raising concerns internationally.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central
Question
Sobel raises the issue of protests against Netanyahu's judicial reforms in Israel, emphasising the importance of an independent judiciary as a pillar of democracy and asks if this will be raised with Netanyahu.
Minister reply
The Minister ensures that Alex Sobel’s concerns about the independence of the Israeli judiciary will be passed on to No.10 for consideration.
Question
Ian Mearns questions whether the UK should reassess its relationship with Israel due to the current unrest and actions by the Israeli Government.
Minister reply
The Minister affirms that the UK continues to express concern over increasing terror attacks affecting both Israelis and Palestinians, advocating for de-escalation.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
Question
Johnson criticises the increase in human rights violations since the election of a right-wing Government in Israel and asks how the UK will ensure compliance with international law.
Minister reply
The Minister states that the UK continues to ask all parties to take urgent measures for de-escalation and works alongside influential partners internationally.
Battersea
Question
De Cordova inquires whether the Government has confirmed if the road map distinguishes between green line Israel and illegal settlements as required by UN Security Resolution 2334.
Minister reply
The Minister promises to have details of the road map placed in the House so that colleagues can see more fully the work done on it.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Shannon advocates for support to Israeli and Palestinian children to learn compromise rather than hate, reminding Ministers not to take sides in this conflict.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the importance of supporting peace and highlights practical examples such as voting to renew UNRWA’s mandate last year.
Shadow Comment
Anum Qaisar
Shadow Comment
Respects to those killed in recent violence; Muslims fasting but witnessing human rights violations in Palestinian territories. More than a thousand Palestinians face forcible transfer from Masafer Yatta, amounting to war crimes. The UK must de-escalate violence during Prime Minister Netanyahu’s state visit. Will the UK raise Amnesty International's conclusion that Israel commits apartheid against Palestinians? Disgust at Finance Minister's denial of Palestinian existence and desire to wipe out Huwara village. Continued illegal settlement development despite promises, will trade deal talks be suspended if construction doesn't stop? Systematic discrimination by Israeli military; halt arms sales approval, support ICC investigation into violations. Accepting Al Jazeera escalation to ICC for Shireen Abu Akleh's murder; unless urgent action taken, UK is ignoring impunity.
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