Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel

Tuesday 13 October 2020 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK is a strong supporter of Palestinian state-building efforts, spending 81 million in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in 2019.
  • UK Government have been vocal in supporting a two-state solution as the preferred option for peace in the region.
  • UK strongly welcomes the normalization of relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors but emphasizes the importance of direct talks between Palestinians and Israel.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Caroline Ansell Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP is seeking information on diplomatic actions taken by the UK to help secure peace between Israel and Palestine, a situation with longstanding tensions and recent developments.

Question

What diplomatic steps he is taking to help secure peace between Israel and the Palestinian people. The middle east is changing before our eyes and the significance of Israel's peace agreements with the UAE and Bahrain cannot be overstated. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this new development between Israel and her Arab neighbours changes the narrative, creates a new dynamic in the region, and gives rise to new hope for a peace deal?

Answer from James Cleverly

The UK is a strong supporter of Palestinian state building efforts. In 2019, we spent £81 million in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Part of that contribution is helping to build Palestinian state institutions; fostering private sector-led sustainable economic growth; and providing technical assistance to strengthen the Palestinian Authority's financial management. However, such progress can never be a substitute for a political settlement, which is why the Foreign Secretary visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in August actively to encourage Israel and the Palestinian leadership to renew co-operation and work together. I also discussed this matter with UN special co-ordinator Mladenov on 1 October. The normalisation of relations represents a move towards peace in the region, and the UK strongly welcomes that. We encourage other states to choose the same path, but, ultimately, there is no substitute for direct talks between the Palestinians and Israel, which is the only way to reach a two-state solution and a lasting peace. We do hope that normalisation can encourage dialogue between the parties and the UK stands ready to support such efforts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific diplomatic steps being taken are not detailed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Andrew Slaughter Lab Hammersmith and Chiswick
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP is questioning the UK government's stance on recognising Palestine as a state, referencing past votes and statements that highlight the need for equal respect between Israel and Palestine.

Question

That is not an answer. Six years ago today, this House voted by 274 votes to 12 to recognise the state of Palestine. Three years ago, the Prime Minister, then Foreign Secretary, said that “you have to have a two-state solution or else you have some kind of apartheid system”. How can there be a two-state solution without two states? The UK's recognition of the state of Israel shows that we respect its non-negotiable rights. Why should our recognition of the state of Palestine be a matter for negotiation? Are Palestinians entitled to less respect and fewer rights than the Israelis?

Answer from James Cleverly

As I have said, the UK Government have supported the Palestinian Authority in putting in place the building blocks for a future Palestinian state, which we recognise. We have been very vocal that our preferred option is a safe, stable two-state solution, with a prosperous and peaceful Palestinian state neighbouring a prosperous and peaceful Israeli state.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific question of recognising Palestine was not addressed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Caroline Ansell Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP is inquiring about the impact of new diplomatic relations between Israel, UAE, and Bahrain on the prospects for a two-state solution.

Question

The middle east is changing before our eyes and the significance of Israel's peace agreements with the UAE and Bahrain cannot be overstated. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this new development between Israel and her Arab neighbours changes the narrative, creates a new dynamic in the region, and gives rise to new hope for a peace deal?

Answer from James Cleverly

The normalisation of relations represents a move towards peace in the region, and the UK strongly welcomes that. We encourage other states to choose the same path, but, ultimately, there is no substitute for direct talks between the Palestinians and Israel, which is the only way to reach a two-state solution and a lasting peace. We do hope that normalisation can encourage dialogue between the parties and the UK stands ready to support such efforts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific impact of agreements was not detailed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email