Contributions
1,916 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesI think we can all agree that revenge is not a policy, but given the appalling events of 7 October, I want to emphasise that the Israeli Government have an absolute right to…14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesThe right hon. Gentleman is right. In north Gaza, all hospitals but one are out of service owing to a lack of power or damage. We are acutely aware of the strain and stress on…14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesIt is important not to give up hope. It is important to drive forward in every possible way we can the objectives that the hon. Lady and I share, and we will continue to do that.14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesI am afraid that I cannot give my hon. Friend a timescale of the sort that we would all like to see, but we are aware that to achieve a humanitarian pause is the start of…14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesWe all want to see the focus back on the political solution, which the right hon. Lady ended her comments by extolling. I draw her attention to the telling arguments that have…14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesMy hon. Friend is right: the military power of Hamas has to be destroyed. That is what many people believe, and that is what the Israeli Government are intent on doing. I point…14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesThe right hon. Gentleman speaks with authority and understanding of these situations. He eloquently explains why a ceasefire is not a practical opportunity.14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesThe hon. Lady will know that Israel did offer fuel yesterday, but Hamas did not allow it to be accepted.14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesMy hon. Friend is absolutely right that fuel is the most important of many important issues today. We continue to lobby and argue with all relevant parties for the importance of…14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesI thank the hon. Member for his comments. Discussions are going on with Jordan and Egypt on that very point, and I will go tonight to Egypt to try to further those discussions.14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesMy hon. Friend is entirely right. I hope a particularly hot place in hell is reserved for those who murder humanitarian workers who have put themselves in harm’s way unarmed…14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesIt is not just a question of using the pauses to try to advance humanitarian good; it is also about trying to use the humanitarian pauses to achieve some of the things the hon.…14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesI would not necessarily trust the figures that are produced by Hamas, but we do know that an extraordinary number of people have lost their lives, and we are all trying to do…14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesThe hon. Member will know that the President of Israel, President Herzog, has made it clear that his country will abide by international humanitarian law. [Interruption.] She will…14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesThe hon. Member will have heard heavily rehearsed during this statement the arguments for and against a ceasefire, and I fear I cannot add anything to what I have already said on…14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesThe central way to address that point is to try to get fuel through, and that is what we are doing.14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesThe hon. Gentleman will have heard the arguments for and against a ceasefire, and he will have heard what the Government and his own Front Benchers have said. That is where the…14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesAs I have set out throughout my responses and in my statement, the British Government are doing everything we possibly can to advance that humanitarian endeavour.14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesIn respect of the hon. Lady’s final comment, that is what we are seeking to negotiate. Every sinew of the British Government is bent towards achieving the humanitarian aims that…14 Nov 2023HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesMy hon. Friend is wise in pointing out the reasons why the combatants are not seeking to achieve a ceasefire at this time.14 Nov 2023