Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Palestine: UK Aid

Wednesday 29 January 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Robert Halfon questioned the measures taken to ensure UK aid to Palestinians promotes peace with Israel.
  • The Secretary confirmed meetings with the Palestinian Authority Education Minister to discuss the use of UK aid.
  • The Palestinian Authority Education Minister expressed commitment to reviewing teaching materials as per EU guidelines.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Context

The UK's commitment to Palestinian aid is questioned regarding its impact on fostering peace with Israel. Recent reports highlight 31 schools named after terrorists, causing concern over the curriculum promoting violence against Israelis.

Question

What steps he is taking to ensure that UK aid to the Palestinians facilitates peace-building with Israel. UK taxpayers' aid pays the salaries of teachers in Palestinian Authority schools, yet at least 31 official PA schools are named after terrorists who killed innocent citizens. Does the Secretary of State share my concern that the children studying in those schools are being taught that it is honourable to commit violent acts against Israelis? Does he agree that, instead of prolonging the conflict by supporting such rhetoric, we must do more to press the Palestinians to stop glorifying terrorists and to use our aid as it is meant to be used?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

We are clear with the Palestinian Authority on how we expect UK aid to be spent. Last week, I had a further meeting with the Palestinian Authority Education Minister, Professor Awartani, following our meeting in Ramallah last year. He expressed his commitment to the EU's review of teaching materials, as well as to the PA's own review, which will be available before the start of the academic year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific issue of schools named after terrorists was not addressed directly.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Context

The UK's commitment to Palestinian aid is questioned regarding its impact on fostering peace with Israel. Recent reports highlight 31 schools named after terrorists, causing concern over the curriculum promoting violence against Israelis.

Question

What steps he is taking to ensure that UK aid to the Palestinians facilitates peace-building with Israel. UK taxpayers' aid pays the salaries of teachers in Palestinian Authority schools, yet at least 31 official PA schools are named after terrorists who killed innocent citizens. Does the Secretary of State share my concern that the children studying in those schools are being taught that it is honourable to commit violent acts against Israelis? Does he agree that, instead of prolonging the conflict by supporting such rhetoric, we must do more to press the Palestinians to stop glorifying terrorists and to use our aid as it is meant to be used?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

My right hon. Friend is right to raise this matter. We are clear with the Palestinian Authority on how we expect UK aid to be spent. Last week, I had a further meeting with the Palestinian Authority Education Minister, Professor Awartani, following our meeting in Ramallah last year. He expressed his commitment to the EU's review of teaching materials, as well as to the PA's own review, which will be available before the start of the academic year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific issue of schools named after terrorists was not addressed directly.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email