Israel Free Trade Agreement 2023-06-29 (2)
2023-06-29
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question pertains to the free trade agreement between the UK and Israel, focusing on whether it complies with section 5 of United Nations Security Council resolution 2334.
What steps has her Department taken to ensure that the free trade agreement with Israel complies with the UK's obligations in section 5 of United Nations Security Council resolution 2334?
The UK's position on settlements is clear: they are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps taken to ensure compliance were not addressed, only general position was stated.
Repeatedly Call
Regular Dialogue
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The Minister has confirmed that the UK views settlements as illegal under international law. The question seeks clarification on how goods and services from these illegal settlements will be excluded from any benefits of a free trade agreement.
How will the Government ensure that goods and services from these illegal settlements—in effect, stolen land—are excluded from the benefits of a free trade agreement?
Under our existing agreement, Israeli goods from the state of Israel receive tariff preferences under the UK-Israel partnership agreement. Palestinian goods, from the Occupied Palestinian Territories, benefit from trade preferences in the interim UK-Palestinian Authority bilateral agreement. To be clear, only goods originating from the state of Israel are covered by our current FTA, and that will not change in the upgraded FTA.
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Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister is asked to condemn a statement made by Ben-Gvir, National Security Minister in Israel. The question seeks assurances that any trade deal will explicitly ban UK trade with illegal settlements.
Will the Minister condemn those genocidal remarks about Palestinians, and ensure that any trade deal with Israel explicitly bans UK trade with those illegal settlements and makes binding regulations for companies to uphold human rights standards?
The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the UK is a leading advocate of human rights around the world. We have very frank conversations with our allies and we have frank and honest discussions across Government. In answer to the trade element of his question, as I said previously, only goods originating in the state of Israel are covered by our current FTA, and that will not change under the upgraded FTA.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific condemnation of Ben-Gvir's remarks was avoided.
Leading Advocate
Frank Conversations
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister has restated the UK's position on settlements. The question seeks assurance that signing a free trade deal without a territorial clause defining the border between Israel and Palestine does not imply recognition of illegal settlements.
If the UK signs a trade deal without a territorial clause defining the border between Israel and Palestine, it will be seen in legal terms as equivalent to letting Israel decide by default to include its settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as part of Israel. Is the Minister aware that this risks a situation where, in effect, the UK recognises illegal settlements in the west bank as part of Israel, which is counter to the Government's stated policy?
I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave a moment ago, but I wish to reiterate that it is long-standing UK foreign policy that Israeli settlements beyond the 1967 boundaries are illegal.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific assurances were given against the implication of recognizing illegal settlements through trade deals without territorial clauses.
Refer To Previous Answer
Long-Standing Policy
Response accuracy