House of Commons · Westminster Hall
02 July 2025 · 21 other contributors · 11,167 words
Opened by Martin Rhodes Lab Glasgow North
Responding minister: Mr Hamish Falconer
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Martin Rhodes raised concerns about west bank: forced displacement in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The UK should formally recognise the state of Palestine as soon as possible and address issues such as illegal settlements, forced displacement, and attacks on healthcare facilities.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The Palestinian people face intolerable hardship, suffering and misery. Amnesty International reports that Israel’s military operations over the past four months have led to the largest displacement of Palestinians since the 1967 war. Save the Children reports almost half of all Palestinian children killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the occupied West Bank since records began were killed in the past two years.
Describes witnessing burned mosques and schools attacked by extremist Israeli settlers. Urges for a Government response to the ICJ ruling and practical measures such as banning trade with settlements.
Questions the appropriateness of introducing practical measures like banning trade in settlement goods, supporting Alex Ballinger's call for action.
Mr. Leishman highlights the systematic removal of Palestinians from their land, noting that since October 2023 there have been 4 daily incidents of settler violence in the West Bank.
Asked about steps to support UNRWA and ensure education provision in the west bank.
Described the situation in the west bank as an ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing, highlighting 1,000 murdered or killed Palestinians and 40,000 displaced residents due to Israeli military actions. He questioned when the UK would follow the directions of the ICJ’s advisory opinion. Asked about banning goods from illegal settlements in the west bank entering the UK.
Agrees that Palestinians should be able to return to and rebuild their homes for a lasting peace via a two-state solution. Emphasises the importance of condemning attempts at annexation.
Mr. McNally discusses historical displacement issues since 1948 and reports over 40,000 Palestinians displaced since late 2024 due to IDF raids and home demolitions.
Critiqued Israeli Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir for celebrating violence and ethnic cleansing, mentioning that over 6,000 Palestinians have been displaced in the last two years.
Mr Shannon spoke about the displacement of Christians in the west bank and emphasised the importance of peace, justice, and protecting vulnerable populations. He also highlighted his role as chair of the all-party parliamentary group for international freedom of religion or belief.
Mr. Stevenson supports a two-state solution and calls for recognition of Palestinian statehood, emphasizing that illegal settlement in the West Bank is as challenging now as ever.
Ms Leadbeater paid tribute to securing this debate on the situation in the west bank and shared personal experiences from her trip there, highlighting ongoing forced displacement and increase in settler violence. She emphasised the importance of human stories bringing the issue home.
Suggested that proscribing settler organisations could be appropriate to help prevent terrorism against a defenceless Palestinian people.
Highlighted the impact of home demolitions in Masafer Yatta and Silwan, noting a fivefold increase compared to the previous year with over 450 structures razed.
Ms Collinge agreed with her hon. Friend about the significance of personal stories in highlighting the plight of Palestinians in the west bank.
Noted that British Government are receiving tariffs from the import of goods from illegal settlements, suggesting this should be addressed in closing remarks.
Called for immediate UK recognition of Palestine and clamping down on settler violence.
Supports Tahir Ali’s concerns about children growing up without basics like education and access to water, urging action from the UK government.
Highlights the international community’s failure to support Palestinians, noting 62,000 deaths and malnutrition due to the Israeli blockade. Calls for concrete actions against Israel's forcible transfer of Palestinians.
Described the forcible displacement of Palestinians in the west bank as an act of grave immorality and a breach of international law, citing figures such as 6,463 displaced people since October 2023.
Notes that what is happening in the West Bank has been legally defined as a war crime and should be condemned by the UK as horrific actions committed by the Israeli Government.
Discussed factors making progress towards a two-state solution difficult and called for Palestinian Authority reforms. Emphasised the importance of education reforms for peaceful co-existence, questioned human rights abuses by the Palestinian Authority and called for specific steps to advance freedom of expression. Also discussed Iran's nuclear programme and its impact on regional peace.
Government Response
Mr Hamish FalconerThe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Provided updates on consular assistance, highlighted the increase in settlement expansions, condemned violence against Palestinians, and discussed measures taken to hold individuals accountable for inciting and supporting violence. Announced sanctions against extremist Israeli Government Ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. Explained that no goods should be sold in the UK as though they were Israeli or under Israeli privileges if they emanate from the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Mentioned complexities in ensuring fully illegal status and lack of European nation taking such a step but keeping it under review.