Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Israel and Palestine: Two-state Solution

Tuesday 12 March 2024 · 6 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ruth Jones asked about the impact of illegal home construction in the West Bank on the two-state solution.
  • Greg Smith inquired about the difficulty of achieving a two-state solution due to illegal settlements and the backing of the IDF.
  • Paul Scully highlighted the concerning situation in the West Bank following the October attacks, noting over 400 Palestinians killed and thousands detained.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with particular focus on the situation in Gaza involving hostages.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. I thank the Minister for his comments. Everyone in the House wants to see a negotiated diplomatic agreement to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on two states, but does he agree that the first step towards achieving that is an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The problem with calling for an immediate ceasefire is that neither side wants to have one, and therefore, in my view, it would be an unhelpful intervention. That is why the British Government, and other Governments too, have called for a pause to get the hostages out and get aid in, which can then be built on and lead to a sustainable ceasefire, and that is what we are seeking to do.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Immediate humanitarian ceasefire

How: Unhelpful Intervention

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Q2 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question addresses practical obstacles to achieving a two-state solution, including the surge of Hamas in Palestinian polls and hate speech in school curricula.

Question

Does the Minister agree that a two-state solution has become more difficult because of the construction of over 700,000 illegal homes in the west bank, which continues with the backing of the IDF and the Israeli Government? Even now, we see images of people being turfed out of their homes and others taking over, and illegal settlement homes are being sold to people in the USA.

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

In respect of the textbook allegations that my hon. Friend made, I have received those allegations. Last week I had a meeting with the head of UNRWA, Mr Lazzarini, in which I presented him with the evidence and asked for a full account.

Not addressed: Construction of illegal homes

How: Received Allegations, Meeting

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Q3 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question focuses on the impact of illegal settlements in the West Bank on the feasibility of a two-state solution.

Question

Does the Minister agree that a two-state solution has become more difficult because of the construction of over 700,000 illegal homes in the west bank, which continues with the backing of the IDF and the Israeli Government? Even now, we see images of people being turfed out of their homes and others taking over, and illegal settlement homes are being sold to people in the USA.

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

There are things that we want the Israeli Government to do in that respect. We want them to release frozen funds, halt settlement expansion and hold to account those responsible for settler violence, which is why Britain has sanctioned four extremist Israeli settlers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Construction of illegal homes

How: Halt Settlement Expansion

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Q4 Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South and Walkden
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question highlights misinformation about the boycott of Israeli products and calls for clarity on the UK's stance towards a two-state solution.

Question

The wider discussion of a two-state solution outside this place is being misrepresented. Restaurants are being boycotted for selling Coca-Cola, because people think the company supports Israel. The Coca-Cola factory in the west bank is actually owned by a Palestinian franchisee, so we need to educate people. To get back to the discussion of a two-state solution, we clearly need a ceasefire and the hostages to be released by Hamas. Will my right hon. Friend detail what discussions he is having in that regard?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

Those discussions are going on all the time with our friends and allies, with the regional powers, at the United Nations and, indeed, directly with Israel. As I said, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary talk regularly to Prime Minister Netanyahu, and we will continue to do so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions on ceasefire and hostage release

How: Talk Regularly

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Q5 Paul Scully Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question addresses the ongoing violence in Gaza and West Bank, calling for international action to support a two-state solution.

Question

The situation in Gaza is truly appalling, but the situation in the west bank is also a cause for huge concern. Since the horrific 7 October attacks, over 400 Palestinians have been killed and thousands have been detained. Further to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton South East (Yasmin Qureshi), last week Israel advanced plans for 3,400 new homes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. As a two-state solution is the only path to a lasting peace, does the Minister agree that a firm position on these issues must be taken now by the United Kingdom and the international community?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

I hope that I have set out my broad agreement with what the hon. Gentleman says. Britain wants to see steps taken against illegal settlements and settlers who have committed crimes—we want to see them arrested, tried and punished for those crimes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Firm position on illegal settlements

How: Want To See

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Q6 Wayne David Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question addresses the practical steps towards achieving a two-state solution, particularly in light of the conflict situation.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. I thank the Minister for his comments. Everyone in the House wants to see a negotiated diplomatic agreement to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on two states, but does he agree that the first step towards achieving that is an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The problem with calling for an immediate ceasefire is that neither side wants to have one, and therefore, in my view, it would be an unhelpful intervention. That is why the British Government, and other Governments too, have called for a pause to get the hostages out and get aid in, which can then be built on and lead to a sustainable ceasefire, and that is what we are seeking to do.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Immediate humanitarian ceasefire

How: Unhelpful Intervention

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