Contributions
1,541 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNorthern GazaFirst, on the question of international law, this Government have been clear that we stand for a rules-based international order. Where anyone, whatever our relationship with…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaOn F-35s, where we are in a position to track components directly, we have suspended those arms licences. Where our components are part of a global supply chain and where measures…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaAny state needs to be viable. We would want to create the conditions for a sovereign Palestinian state that could perform the basic functions of a state, so it would need to be…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaIn relation to recognition, I am happy to clarify the position. The Israeli Government have no veto over whether we recognise a Palestinian state, or when we recognise a…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaPerhaps the right hon. Member has a solution for ensuring a Palestinian state without talking to the Israeli Government, but I think he would be outwith the view of most…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaHamas are a terrorist group, and I hope they will have no future role in Gaza or any of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. They are a threat not just to Israel, and they hold…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaI thank my hon. Friend for his question. I have spoken a little bit about some of the direct advocacy with the Israeli Government conducted by Ministers. That advocacy is also…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaI regret that the situation does not remain the same a year on. As we have heard, the situation in Gaza, northern Gaza, Lebanon and the west bank is far, far worse. There have…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaPerhaps the hon. Member could be a bit clearer about what further action this Government could be taking to try to protect Palestinian civilians. We are raising these issues—07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaWe have raised those issues specifically, but I want to be straightforward with the House: we are clear that insufficient aid of all kinds is getting into Gaza. On almost any…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaBritain has an independent foreign policy set by the Foreign Office Ministers and the Prime Minister—I am happy to confirm that to the House. Of course, for this Government the…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaI thank my hon. Friend for her question and her kind words. The House will be bored of hearing me say it, but we do not comment on sanctions measures in advance of taking them, as…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaI remember those words from the whiteboard, and we must and will spare no effort and will strain every sinew to try to do what we can to advance the ceasefire as quickly as…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaIf words are to have meaning, clearly our policy is different from that of those on the Opposition Benches, as I think they would accept. I do not want to see this conflict…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaHamas are terrorists and they should release the hostages immediately.07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his question, although I take issue with it. This Government have done more than rhetoric, whether it is the £13 million of funding we…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaWe are pressing the Israeli Government on a ceasefire, to show the flexibility and take the urgent action required in order to ensure that hostages are released, violence stops…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaI refer the hon. Member to my previous answer on the question of legal determinations about genocide. That is a question for international courts, and international courts are…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaI thank my right hon. Friend for his question, and recognise the anguish in his voice about the scenes coming out of Gaza over the winter period. He is right that I feel that…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNorthern GazaI am sorry that my answers were not to the hon. Member’s taste. To repeat, this Prime Minister is the first Prime Minister ever to meet the commissioner-general of UNRWA, and in…07 Jan 2025