Contributions
1,800 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesIf only it were a question of the United Kingdom recognising the Palestinian state. Of course, our long-standing position, as my noble friend knows, is that we will do so. We will…09 Jun 2025HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesThe noble Lord is absolutely right about the people of Israel. I am very careful to draw a clear distinction between the people of Israel and the current Government of Israel. It…09 Jun 2025HANSARDCluster Munitions Convention: Article 21I did not say the noble Lord was incorrect—I think Hansard would prove that; I said that he may have more information than I have. We are in the middle of a very detailed spending…09 Jun 2025HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesI say to the right reverend Prelate that I have been clear about when we will recognise the state of Palestine, and that is when it is most conducive to that two-state solution.…09 Jun 2025HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesWell, I think I gave in response to an earlier question an absolutely categorical reassurance that we are not arming Israel with bombs and ammunition that could be used in Gaza.…09 Jun 2025HANSARDCluster Munitions Convention: Article 21Let me be absolutely clear to the noble Lord: ratification of the CCM and subsequent removal of cluster munitions from our inventory does not constrain UK military capability nor…09 Jun 2025HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesI hear what my noble friend says, but since we came into office this Government have taken action. We stopped the export of arms that could be used in Gaza and we are determined…09 Jun 2025HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesI thank both noble Lords for their contributions and questions. I say to the noble Lord opposite that the United Kingdom has been a close and long-standing friend of Israel. As…09 Jun 2025HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesThe only word my noble friend uses that I disagree with is “fundamentally”. We have been working with all UN agencies and with NGOs to ensure that Hamas does not interfere with…09 Jun 2025HANSARDCluster Munitions Convention: Article 21My noble friend is right. As a committed member of the CCM, the United Kingdom continues to promote the norms of the convention and discourage the acquisition and use of cluster…09 Jun 2025HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesOf course, the Government of Israel is a matter for the people of Israel to decide. However, I am confident that the majority of people in Israel want peace and the things that my…09 Jun 2025HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesI absolutely reassure the noble Baroness that the UK is not arming Israel’s war in Gaza. We can categorically say we do not export any bombs or ammunition for use in military…09 Jun 2025HANSARDAlaa Abd el-FattahI thank the noble Lord for his Question. Both and I and the Foreign Secretary were deeply concerned at Laila Soueif’s hospitalisation on Thursday. Certainly, our officials are in…04 Jun 2025HANSARDAlaa Abd el-FattahOn the UN decision, it is for Egypt, as the state detaining Alaa, to respond to the recommendations of the working group, which does not have the same sort of legal status. We…04 Jun 2025HANSARDAlaa Abd el-FattahI do not know what the noble Baroness would suggest. This is a judgment call. It is my absolute, sincere hope—shared by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary—that we can…04 Jun 2025HANSARDAlaa Abd el-FattahI hear what the noble Lord says, but our absolute priority remains securing Mr el-Fattah’s urgent release and engaging the highest levels of the Egyptian Government. The…04 Jun 2025HANSARDAlaa Abd el-FattahI hope I have reassured the House that, while the Egyptian authorities do not recognise his British nationality and therefore our consular staff have not been able to see him in…04 Jun 2025HANSARDAlaa Abd el-FattahThe noble Lord is right that we should use all possible avenues to amplify our bilateral call, and we are certainly working with allies to do that. At this stage of the game, it…04 Jun 2025HANSARDAlaa Abd el-FattahI hear what the noble Lord says, and I responded to a previous question on this. Of course, we make sure all our allies are very much aware of our position and our call on the…04 Jun 2025HANSARDAlaa Abd el-FattahI repeat to the noble Baroness that these things are a judgement call. I reassure her and the House that we have kept the family constantly informed of our efforts, and certainly…04 Jun 2025