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01 Apr
Question
Gaza: Aid

The debate focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the UK's diplomatic efforts to ensure aid flows into the region amidst ongoing hostilities. The session exhibited the UK Parliament's cross-party concern over humanitarian access and a concerted effort to press Israel on lifting the blockade.

Key Contributions:

Over 400 aid workers

This statistic emphasizes the danger present in Gaza, marking it as the deadliest zone for aid workers globally.

  1. Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrats) highlighted the immense challenges faced by aid workers in Gaza, referring to it as the most dangerous place for humanitarian aid workers. She emphasized the role of the UK, alongside France and Germany, in urging Israel to reopen aid channels. Chamberlain advanced the argument for a two-state solution while pressing for sustained aid delivery mechanisms.

  2. Mr. Falconer reiterated the UK's commitment to a two-state solution as the only viable peace pathway. He voiced the UK's continued diplomatic engagement with Israel and regional partners to relax restrictions and secure humanitarian access. Falconer acknowledged the need for increased humanitarian assistance, as seen during the recent ceasefire.

  3. Brian Leishman (Labour) questioned the role of UK-made defense parts in the ongoing conflict, indicating public and parliamentary concern over indirect British involvement in hostilities. Falconer's clarification of diplomatic engagements further affirmed the UK's pressing efforts to influence Israeli policies from 5 March onward.

Outcome:

Ceasefire mechanisms

Indicates increased aid inflow during ceasefires, bolstering arguments for resumed negotiations and peace processes.

The session underscored UK's unwavering stance on facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza and advocating for peace through a two-state solution. Despite current challenges, there is a clear push for intensified diplomatic measures to reopen aid delivery lines.

Key Statistics:

  • Over 400 aid workers have died in the Gaza conflict, highlighting the dire risks faced under current conditions.
  • Cessation of violence allows increased humanitarian aid, crucial amidst the acute humanitarian crisis.

Outcome

The exchange reaffirmed the UK's diplomacy aimed at elevating humanitarian aid to Gaza while holding Israel accountable to easing blockade measures. Collective parliamentary support was evident for diplomatic pathways to ensure aid and promote a two-state solution, aligning with broader international efforts.

Key Contributions

Wendy Chamberlain
Liberal Democrats

Called for immediate Israeli action to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, highlighting the high death toll among aid workers in the region.

Mr Falconer

Confirmed UK's diplomatic engagements pressing for a two-state solution, and highlighted the importance of easing aid restrictions into Gaza.

Brian Leishman
Labour

Questioned the involvement of UK-made defense parts in air operations over Gaza, reflecting concerns about the UK’s indirect role in the conflict.

Original Transcript
Wendy Chamberlain
North East Fife
LD
Question
UIN: 903545

11. What diplomatic steps he is taking to help ensure that Israel allows aid into Gaza.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Mr Hamish Falconer
00:00

Aid should never be used as a political tool. As the Foreign Secretary made clear to the House on 20 March, blocking humanitarian aid into Gaza is appalling and unacceptable. Israel must allow aid into Gaza immediately.

The Foreign Secretary made that clear to Israeli Foreign Minister Sa’ar on 21 March and issued a joint statement with his French and German counterparts on 5 March. Gaza is the deadliest place in the world to be an aid worker. More than 400 aid workers have been killed in the conflict.

Restoring the ceasefire remains the best chance to see hostages released, allow a surge of humanitarian aid and bring this bloodshed to an end.

Mr Falconer
12:14

I can confirm that we say regularly to our Israeli counterparts, and indeed to all others in the region, that the only route out of these horrors is a two-state solution, an outcome that provides for the safety, security and dignity of both peoples.

We are talking with our partners about what might be done to try to ensure aid gets into Gaza through whatever means are at our disposal, but at the core, Israel must relax the restrictions and allow aid into Gaza. That is the way to get the scale of aid that is required into the strip.

During the ceasefire, we saw a massive increase in aid, and that is what we want to do.

Brian Leishman
Alloa and Grangemouth
Lab

With continued aerial bombardments impacting the flow of aid into Gaza, will the Foreign Secretary confirm whether UK-made F-35 parts have been used to enable air strikes in Gaza since 18 March?

Mr Falconer
12:15

To clarify my previous answer, the Foreign Secretary spoke to Foreign Minister Sa’ar on 5 March, not 21 March. In response to the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Alloa and Grangemouth (Brian Leishman), we will continue to press these issues with the Israeli Government.

It is clear to the House that we have not succeeded, over these long months, in ensuring the level of aid into Gaza that we would like to see, or had the protections for humanitarian workers that we want to see.

Deconfliction, with humanitarian aid workers, is a vital part of ensuring their security, and we are pressing the Israelis to do so.

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All content derived from official parliamentary records