Contributions
1,800 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMiddle EastThe noble Baroness is absolutely right. We have both been engaged in focusing on the women, peace, and security agenda, which the noble Baroness, Lady Hodgson, has been so…22 Jan 2025HANSARDMiddle EastI agree with the right reverend Prelate. As I said in response to the Oral Question, we are very much focused on getting medical aid and support in, particularly to northern Gaza.…22 Jan 2025HANSARDIsrael and PalestineMy Lords, this deal is a fragile process but one that the United Kingdom is ready to support. It is a first step. We must build confidence on all sides to help sustain the…22 Jan 2025HANSARDIsrael and PalestineI think noble Lords will appreciate that we have an opportunity to focus on the broader issues when we come to the Statement. The United Kingdom is ready to play a leading role…22 Jan 2025HANSARDIsrael and PalestineSadly, I am not able to give details at this stage, but since the ceasefire agreement we have been assessing how we can build that stronger alliance across allies and, in…22 Jan 2025HANSARDMiddle EastI must admit I thought I had made it clear that we will maintain those sanctions. We are extremely concerned at the increased level of violence, and we have conveyed this to the…22 Jan 2025HANSARDMiddle EastLike my noble friend, I had the opportunity to visit the Occupied Territories and I certainly visited schools. I looked at many of the facilities that UNRWA provided, and they are…22 Jan 2025HANSARDMiddle EastI am not going to speculate on what might happen. The point I would make is one that was made by the noble Earl, Lord Courtown. We are in a fragile situation. We have a ceasefire,…22 Jan 2025HANSARDMiddle EastOne thing is clear: there is no role for Hamas in the future. That means that we have to work with all parties, particularly those in the region. I mentioned before that we…22 Jan 2025HANSARDMiddle EastWe have made our position clear, as has the noble Lord, Lord Ahmad. We have been consistent about settlements in the Occupied Territories, we have been consistent in terms of the…22 Jan 2025HANSARDMiddle EastBuilding confidence and trust is not an easy thing to do over the long period of conflict that we have seen, and that is true of every area of conflict. We need to ensure that we…22 Jan 2025HANSARDMiddle EastThe noble Lord is absolutely right; there are these plans and discussions, which we need, and the United Kingdom is happy to convene whatever meetings we possibly can. Working…22 Jan 2025HANSARDMiddle EastThe important thing is that we are working with the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority to focus on the security issues the noble Lord points to. That is why we are…22 Jan 2025HANSARDMiddle EastI tried to answer that in the Oral Question. This is an obligation on the Palestinian Authority. We have been supporting the Palestinian Authority security services through…22 Jan 2025HANSARDMiddle EastI thank both noble Lords for their questions and contributions. As the noble Earl, Lord Courtown, repeated, this is a fragile situation. The deal is incredibly fragile, so we have…22 Jan 2025HANSARDIsrael and PalestineIt is vital that Israel ensures that there is sustained passage for patients who need treatment that is not available in Gaza during the first phase of this ceasefire. That means…22 Jan 2025HANSARDIsrael and PalestineI agree completely with the noble Lord. In fact, we have announced £112 million this financial year, including £41 million for UNRWA, which is supporting the Occupied Palestinian…22 Jan 2025HANSARDIsrael and PalestineI hear what the noble Baroness says, but, of course, many Palestinians are living in occupied territory. We want to ensure, through the peace process that has been agreed, that we…22 Jan 2025HANSARDIsrael and PalestineI thank the noble Lord for that question. We are continuing to work with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the US and regional partners to build consensus on a post-conflict Gaza…22 Jan 2025HANSARDIsrael and PalestineThrough our aid programmes, we are supporting human rights organisations in Israel and Palestine on a range of issues. Their work is invaluable for providing us with relevant…22 Jan 2025