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West Bank: Forced Displacement
02 July 2025
Lead MP
Martin Rhodes
Glasgow North
Lab
Responding Minister
Mr Hamish Falconer
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Word Count: 11167
Other Contributors: 21
At a Glance
Martin Rhodes raised concerns about west bank: forced displacement in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
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.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
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.
Alex Ballinger
Lab
Halesowen
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.
Mid Sussex
Questions the appropriateness of introducing practical measures like banning trade in settlement goods, supporting Alex Ballinger's call for action.
Brian Leishman
Lab
Alloa and Grangemouth
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.
Brian Mathew
LD
Melksham and Devizes
Asked about steps to support UNRWA and ensure education provision in the west bank.
Chris Law
SNP
Dundee Central
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.
Filton and Bradley Stoke
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.
Frank McNally
Lab
Coatbridge and Bellshill
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.
Jas Athwal
Lab
Ilford South
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.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
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.
Airdrie and Shotts
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.
Kim Leadbeater
Lab
Spen Valley
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.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Suggested that proscribing settler organisations could be appropriate to help prevent terrorism against a defenceless Palestinian people.
Lillian Jones
Lab
Kilmarnock and Loudoun
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.
Lizzi Collinge
Lab
Morecambe and Lunesdale
Ms Collinge agreed with her hon. Friend about the significance of personal stories in highlighting the plight of Palestinians in the west bank.
Mike Martin
LD
Tunbridge Wells
Noted that British Government are receiving tariffs from the import of goods from illegal settlements, suggesting this should be addressed in closing remarks.
Esher and Walton
Called for immediate UK recognition of Palestine and clamping down on settler violence.
Sarah Smith
Lab
Hyndburn
Supports Tahir Ali’s concerns about children growing up without basics like education and access to water, urging action from the UK government.
Tahir Ali
Lab
Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley
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.
Tony Vaughan
Lab
Folkestone and Hythe
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.
Warinder Juss
Lab
Wolverhampton West
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.
Wendy Morton
Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
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 Falconer
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Government Response
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.