Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Recognition of Palestine

Tuesday 30 July 2024 · 5 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial support for recognizing Palestine is contingent on it being conducive to a two-state solution.
  • The UK Government emphasizes working with partners to enable Palestinians to achieve a sovereign state.
  • The Foreign Secretary notes that peace requires a political solution and urges Hamas and Israel to accept the Biden plan.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Adnan Hussain Ind Blackburn
Foreign Affairs
Context

Inquiry into immediate recognition of Palestine as a state.

Question

If he will support the immediate recognition of the state of Palestine. Does he agree that immediate recognition is vital to uphold international law, necessary for just peace processes, and essential to resolve conflicts through diplomacy?

Answer from David Lammy

We want a credible pathway towards a two-state solution; recognising a Palestinian state can contribute to this process when it is most conducive.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Immediate recognition

How: Process Answer

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Q2 Paula Barker Lab Liverpool Wavertree
Foreign Affairs
Context

Discussion on the timing and implications of recognising Palestine as a state.

Question

I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply. I must press him further on Government recognition of a Palestinian state, which should have been a starting point 30 years ago. What will the Government do if Israel refuses to entertain any moves towards a two-state solution?

Answer from David Lammy

No one has a veto on recognition, but it does not deliver a two-state solution by itself. We want to work with other partners to enable Palestinians to have a sovereign state.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions in case of refusal

How: Generic Answer

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Q3 Adnan Hussain Ind Blackburn
Foreign Affairs
Context

Discussion on the importance and necessity of recognising Palestine immediately.

Question

I hear what the Secretary of State said, but does he agree that immediate recognition is vital to uphold international law, necessary for just peace processes, and essential to resolve conflicts through diplomacy? Does he recognise the catastrophic implications of not recognising Palestine?

Answer from David Lammy

Peace will be achieved through a political solution, not military means. Recognition itself does not bring peace; we would like Hamas and Israel to accept the Biden plan.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Immediate recognition's role in peace

How: Deflection

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Q4 Andrew Mitchell Con Sutton Coldfield
Foreign Affairs
Context

Welcoming the Foreign Secretary and discussing the criteria for arms embargoes.

Question

May I welcome the Foreign Secretary to his new position? I urge him to avoid suggesting moral equivalence between a terrorist murderer and an elected head of state. In any question of an arms embargo, British arms defended Israel from missiles launched by Iran recently.

Answer from David Lammy

Let me welcome the right hon. Gentleman to his position. The test under criterion 2c is whether there is a clear risk based on careful assessments of the law.

Not addressed: Moral equivalence in legal criteria

How: Generic Answer

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Q5 Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon
Foreign Affairs
Context

Discussion on the timing and importance of recognising Palestine as a state.

Question

The Secretary of State will get bored of me continuing to press him on recognition of the state of Palestine. I know in my heart that it is what Palestinians need to ignite hope for peace. When he spoke to Netanyahu, did he talk about the two-state solution?

Answer from David Lammy

Let me reassure the hon. Lady that raising this issue does not test my patience. I reject those who say there can be no two-state solution, but we will do it at the appropriate moment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussion with Netanyahu

How: Generic Answer

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