Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gaza

Tuesday 30 January 2024 · 9 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 9 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK is calling for an immediate humanitarian pause to secure aid delivery and hostage release in Gaza.
  • The UK Government aims to ensure aid reaches Gaza while emphasizing Israel's right to self-defence under international law.
  • The UK is investigating issues with UNRWA funding but will provide additional funding for aid to Gaza.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Paul Blomfield Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP inquired about diplomatic actions taken to secure a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.

Question

What recent diplomatic steps have been taken to help secure a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

We are calling for an immediate humanitarian pause, in order to get aid in and hostages out as a vital step towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify any recent diplomatic steps taken.

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Q2 Clive Betts Lab Sheffield South East
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP questioned the effectiveness of pleas for restraint and asked what actions would be taken to pressure Israel.

Question

What will be done to put real pressure on Israelis to stop killings, enter into negotiations for a permanent ceasefire, and stop threats to annex Gaza? Has the time come to stop selling arms used against Gaza?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The Foreign Secretary is in the region today and will pursue vital policies. The UK Government's priority is ensuring more aid gets into Gaza, but Israel has the right of self-defence under international humanitarian law.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify any concrete steps or policies to put pressure on Israelis.

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Q3 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP expressed concern over the increasing number of emails from constituents worried about ongoing conflicts in Gaza.

Question

What steps are being taken with partners to achieve a bilateral ceasefire?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The Government want a sustainable ceasefire. They aim for a humanitarian pause to get supplies into Gaza, leading to a sustainable ceasefire.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify any concrete steps being taken with partners.

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Q4 Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South and Walkden
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP questioned the consequences of cutting UNRWA funding amidst allegations against staff.

Question

Has the Minister considered the consequences of cutting UNRWA funding on women, babies, and the seriously injured? Does he understand that such measures breach International Court of Justice guidelines?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The UK Government is doing everything to ensure aid gets into Gaza. UNRWA cuts are due to investigations but additional funding will be provided for aid.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm if consequences were considered or understood.

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Q5 Paul Blomfield Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP questioned the consistency of Israel's commitment to a two-state solution and called for recognition.

Question

Does the Minister agree that we need to demonstrate our commitment by recognising a Palestinian state and upgrading trade advice against settlements?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The Government's position on illegal settlements is clear. Previous progress has been made after acts of conflict, hoping more can be made now.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the recognition or trade advice measures.

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Q6 Michael Ellis Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP questioned the risks associated with unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.

Question

Would unilateral recognition now risk equipping dangerous actors with state capabilities?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The British Government intend to recognise a Palestinian state when the timing is right. The Foreign Secretary's comments point out importance of political progress.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address risks specifically mentioned by MP.

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Q7 Kit Malthouse Con North West Hampshire
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP questioned how to overcome Israeli checks on aid and prevent crowds from obstructing entry.

Question

What are the Government doing to overcome checking regimes? What more can we do to stop crowds from preventing aid entry?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

We are in regular touch with authorities to ensure aid does not hinder. The issue is that aid is not getting into Gaza despite availability, and efforts include naval corridors as per Prime Minister's instructions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify specific actions or policies being implemented.

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Q8 Theresa Villiers Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

BBC Online reported that the Foreign Secretary has changed the UK's approach on recognition of a Palestinian state. This change is concerning in light of Hamas's actions.

Question

It is really disturbing that BBC Online is reporting that the Foreign Secretary has changed the UK Government's approach on recognition of a Palestinian state. Does the Minister agree that bringing forward and accelerating unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state would be to reward Hamas's atrocity?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

My right hon. Friend will be aware that there is no question of rewarding Hamas for the appalling acts they perpetrated on 7 October. The point that the Foreign Secretary has been making is that we must give the people of the west bank and Gaza a credible route to a Palestinian state and a new future, but we must do so when the time is right.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly answer whether accelerating recognition would be rewarding Hamas.

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Q9 Lisa Nandy Lab Wigan
Foreign Affairs
Context

There is rising anger in the region about the desperate situation in Gaza, with more people dying of hunger and thirst than from bombs and bullets. The UK has paused funding to UNRWA.

Question

The Minister will know that there is rising anger in the region about the desperate situation in Gaza, which makes a ceasefire much harder to achieve. More people are now dying of hunger and thirst than from bombs and bullets. He said yesterday that the UK is pausing funding to UNRWA, not cutting it, but given its critical role, will he reassure us that nothing will disrupt the supply of aid—not just into Gaza, but through Gaza—now and in the months ahead? Will he promise that the UK will move heaven and earth to get that aid to them?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The shadow Minister for development is absolutely right about the balance that has to be struck. Of course, we need to investigate rapidly the very serious allegations that have been made against UNRWA, but the assets we use for getting aid and support into Gaza depend on the assets that UNRWA owns—warehouses, vehicles and the other distribution mechanisms. As such, we need that inquiry to be completed as rapidly as possible. In the meanwhile, Britain was not intending to give any further support to UNRWA in this financial year; in the next financial year we will consider the position in precisely the way the shadow Minister sets out.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific promise about ensuring aid supply despite the pause on funding.

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