01 Apr
Question
Middle East

The Question session in the House of Commons focused on recent Middle East developments, particularly the conflict in Gaza and broader diplomatic relations. Mr. Falconer, representing the government, was pressed on various aspects of the UK’s diplomatic efforts concerning peace and security in the region. Several MPs raised critical issues about the UK’s foreign policy approach, the persistent violence affecting Gaza, and the legality of Israeli actions under international law.

15 paramedics and rescue workers reported killed in Gaza as per UN reports.

Dr. Ahmed highlighted this information while discussing violence in Gaza.

Significant points of discussion included the UK government's diplomatic engagements with international partners, efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Gaza, and the protection of aid workers. The Israeli military's actions and their implications for peace were scrutinized, alongside Iran's regional activities. There was a strong call for active UK involvement in reconstruction efforts in Gaza and maintaining dialogue with Iran to address nuclear threats.

1,500 aid workers killed in Gaza.

Noted by Shockat Adam when discussing the dangers for aid workers.

Despite robust debate, the session concluded without a definitive path to de-escalation in the region, but with commitments from the UK government to continue diplomatic pressure and support humanitarian efforts.

One-year anniversary of the strike killing seven aid workers, including British citizens.

Highlighted by Shockat Adam.

Outcome

The outcomes of the session were commitments from the UK government to maintain diplomatic pressure, continued support of humanitarian initiatives in Gaza, and engagement with key international partners. However, no new policy initiatives or sanctions were declared, reflecting ongoing complexities in Middle East negotiations.

Key Contributions

Ellie ChownsSpeaker
Green

Questioned the effectiveness of diplomatic condemnations and called for action against Israeli settlement products to signal compliance with international law.

Dr Zubir AhmedSpeaker
Labour

Raised concerns over medical conditions in Gaza and called for further steps to reinforce the message against Israel's current actions.

Mr FalconerSpeaker

Outlined UK's dialogue with international partners and support for the reconstruction of Gaza, emphasized continued engagement with counterparts, and addressed concerns regarding the safety of aid workers and pushing for a ceasefire.

Dr Andrew MurrisonSpeaker
Conservative

Inquired about UK's assessment of Iran's military threats.

Uma KumaranSpeaker
Labour

Voiced alarm over Israel Defense Minister's threats and inquired about UK measures in Gaza's reconstruction efforts.

Shockat AdamSpeaker
Independent

Voiced distress over the killing of aid workers, questioned legality under international law, and sought government action.

Alex BallingerSpeaker
Labour

Inquired about UN Security Council's actions concerning protection of aid workers.

Priti PatelSpeaker
Conservative

Asked about UK contacts with international partners concerning hostages and Iran’s threats, and sought clarification on handling Hamas governance in Gaza.

Original Transcript
Ellie Chowns
North Herefordshire
Green
Question
UIN: 903542

9. What diplomatic steps he is taking to help advance peace in the middle east.

Dr Zubir Ahmed
Glasgow South West
Lab
Question
UIN: 903554

20. What steps he is taking to help restore the ceasefire in Gaza.

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

I am deeply concerned about the resumption of hostilities in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary and I are pressing all parties to return urgently to dialogue and to implement the ceasefire agreement in full.

Since the renewed outbreak of hostilities, the Foreign Secretary has spoken to Secretary Rubio, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, EU High Representative Kallas and the UN emergency relief co-ordinator, Tom Fletcher.

We have also been working with our French, German and Italian partners in support of the Arab plan for the reconstruction of Gaza as part of wider peace building efforts.

Ellie Chowns
11:57

It is often said that actions speak louder than words. The Government have repeatedly condemned what is happening in Gaza and the west bank, yet Israeli settler violence, Israeli settlement expansion, the unlawful demolition of Palestinian homes and violence in Gaza are continuing.

Given that UK diplomatic efforts and condemnations are being so roundly ignored, will the UK now take action and ban the importation of products from illegal settlements on illegally occupied land, to give the signal that Israel cannot break international law with complete impunity?

Mr Falconer
11:58

The hon. Lady will know the importance that we have placed on international law since we came to power in July. We have been clear throughout this period that we want to see a ceasefire in Gaza.

We regret that, at this point, we are still in disagreement with the Israeli Government, and we regret the scenes of the last few weeks in relation to the west bank and to Gaza.

In relation to settlement goods, as the Foreign Secretary said earlier and as I have said before, different provisions exist for illegal settlements, which we consider to be illegal and which do not benefit from any of the provisions that would otherwise cover goods from Israel.

Dr Ahmed
11:58

Over the past week, I have been in touch with medical colleagues on the ground in Gaza and also with representatives of hostage families in Israel.

In Gaza, they corroborate the worrying UN reports of a shallow grave containing the bodies of 15 paramedics and rescue workers, seemingly shot one by one by the Israeli army, some of them still wearing the surgical gloves that they were using to save the lives of others.

In Israel, hostage families feel increasingly distant from their own Government and abandoned by them. Hamas is a terrorist organisation, but Israel is an ally.

As a critical friend and ally, what further steps can we take to reinforce our message that the Israeli Government’s current trajectory is destructive for peace and, indeed, for their own interests?

Mr Falconer
12:00

My hon. Friend is right to ask this question. I know that he, himself a surgeon, has been closely engaged with the medical situation in Gaza and the incredible bravery of those who provide that assistance. As I said in answer to the hon.

Member for North Herefordshire (Ellie Chowns), the scenes in Gaza in relation to aid workers and, of course, the Gazan civilians themselves are absolutely horrific.

It is why with France we called a special session of the UN Security Council on Friday, and we will continue to press with all diplomatic levers to see an improvement.

Dr Andrew Murrison
South West Wiltshire
Con
12:00

What assessment have the Government made of reports that Iran is considering pre-emptive strikes against American B-2 Spirit bombers that have recently been forward-located in Diego Garcia?

Mr Falconer
12:00

As the House will understand, I will not provide a detailed commentary on that reporting, but we remain deeply conscious of the potential threats from Iran, both in this country and in the region.

We continue to have dialogue with the Iranian Government—the Foreign Secretary spoke to his equivalent just last week. We treat these matters with the utmost seriousness, as the right hon. Member would expect.

Uma Kumaran
Stratford and Bow
Lab
12:00

Like many, I was extremely alarmed to hear the Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, threaten the “total destruction” of Gaza. The UK and its allies are committed to a two-state solution, but that only works if there is a state left standing for Palestinians.

Will that Minister ever be sanctioned, and will our Minister set out what role he sees the UK playing in the long-term reconstruction of Gaza?

Mr Falconer
12:00

I thank my hon. Friend for her question; I know how attentive to these issues she has been. The Foreign Secretary has condemned in this Chamber the comments of Defence Minister Katz, and this Government are clear what the path to reconstruction in Gaza must be.

We have engaged closely with our partners in the Arab world, we welcome their plan for reconstructing Gaza, and we will continue to do all we can to see that as the path to reconstruction, with dignity for the Palestinian people of Gaza.

Shockat Adam
Leicester South
Ind
12:00

Today is the anniversary of the killing of the 33-year-old ex-Royal Marine James Henderson, who was killed by the Israelis among seven aid workers with the World Central Kitchen. A year later, as the hon.

Member for Glasgow South West (Dr Ahmed) has mentioned, mass graves have been found with eight bodies of those who worked for the Red Crescent and the Red Cross. That comes two weeks after eight aid workers from the Al-Khair Foundation were killed.

It is believed that 1,500 aid workers have been killed. Does the Minister believe that it is illegal under international law to kill aid workers and, if so, what is he prepared to do about it?

Mr Falconer
12:00

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving me the opportunity to comment. Today is indeed the one-year anniversary of the appalling strike on the World Central Kitchen convoy, which killed seven people, including British citizens John Chapman, James Henderson and James Kirby.

I would like to pay tribute to their bravery and remember again the appalling tragedy of that day. I, alongside the Foreign Secretary, met their families in November. They are determined to see justice for their family members, and I know that the whole Chamber will be united in that determination.

Israel’s Military Advocate General must quickly and thoroughly conclude their consideration of the strike, including determining whether criminal proceedings should be initiated. As the hon. Gentleman has said, Gaza is now the most dangerous place in the world to be an aid worker.

This cannot continue.

Alex Ballinger
Halesowen
Lab
12:00

As others have said, today is the anniversary of the deaths of James Kirby, John Chapman and James Henderson—three former servicemen. We further heard about the 15 aid workers who were killed last week.

UN Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher has described them as having been killed one by one and buried in shallow graves alongside their clearly marked ambulances, fire trucks and UN vehicles. I thank the Government for calling a UN Security Council meeting on the protection of aid workers.

Will the Minister update us on the outcome of that meeting and the further steps we will take to protect aid workers in Gaza?

Mr Falconer

The meeting on Friday considered those questions. There was agreement across the Security Council on the importance of preserving the space for humanitarian action.

As I have said this morning, we regret deeply that there have not yet been further improvements, and we will continue to use all available diplomatic steps to ensure that aid gets into Gaza, aid workers are protected, and the horrific scenes described by the emergency relief co-ordinator are not repeated.

Madam Deputy Speaker
12:05

I call the shadow Foreign Secretary.

Priti Patel
Witham
Con

Our thoughts continue to be with the hostages held in Hamas captivity in Gaza and with their families. What recent contact has the Minister had with counterparts in Israel, America and our partners in the region to secure their release and broker a way through this impasse?

What steps are being taken across Government to address the threats to stability posed by Iran? How does the Minister envisage the removal of Hamas from the governance of Gaza?

Mr Falconer
12:06

On the shadow Foreign Secretary’s important first point, we are, as she would expect, in regular contact with all those involved in negotiations. The Foreign Secretary spoke to the Israeli Foreign Minister last week.

I have been in regular contact with the Qataris, who are doing important work in this file. As she would expect, we continue to be in touch with the hostage families, whose concern I know the Chamber continues to share.

On the threats posed by Iran, we speak to the relevant players in the region and to the E3.

As I said in response to an earlier question, the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Iranian Foreign Minister last week and underlined that we continue to support a diplomatic resolution to the tensions with Iran. We do not want to see Iran secure a nuclear weapon.

We believe that a diplomatic solution is the best way to achieve that, but we will hold the snap-back of sanctions, and indeed many other measures, under review until we are satisfied.

All content derived from official parliamentary records