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Before my office closes for Christmas, I wanted to give a further update in relation to the conflict in the Middle East as this is one of the topics I receive the most emails about.
I attended a debate in Parliament on Monday on the questions of arms sales to Israel and recognition of an independent Palestinian state. The debate was really well attended and although I had intended to speak to raise some of the issues which have been raised with me, I wasn’t able to in the end. However I am able to tell you that from the time I spent listening to the debate, it is clear that there is a high level of cross party consensus on the need to recognise Palestine and for the Government to be further restricting UK arms sales.
I was also interested to learn more in the debate about the current inquiry by the Business and Trade select committee into arms exports to Israel. Following a recent evidence session the committee has written to the Ministers for Trade Policy and Foreign Policy, as well as the Prime Minister, to question them further over the Government’s policy to permit exports of F-35 components in apparent conflict with UK obligations under the UN Arms treaty. Select committees have an incredibly powerful role in holding the Government to account and I will certainly follow closely the outcome of the inquiry and their correspondence.
As many of you will, the Liberal Democrats have longstanding policies in relation to Israel and Palestine including the immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, a presumption of denial on all exports for use by Israel in the Occupied Territories, and stronger sanctions to prevent and push back on the spread of illegal settlements. My colleagues who were able to speak in the debate on Monday all made forceful arguments in these areas. You might particularly be interested in:
Helen Maguire asking about the importance of the UK upholding its obligations to the International Criminal Court and investigating allegations of war crimes.
Will Forster demanding sanctions against the current Minister of National Security, Ben-Gvir and the Finance Minister, Smotrich for their active promotion of illegal settlements including full annexation of the West Bank. This not only undermines hope of a ceasefire, but risks escalating violence in the region even further.
Luke Taylor on the vital importance of recognising Palestine and a two-state solution.
Richard Foord, himself a veteran of the armed forces, on the need to withhold arms exports in order to abide by international law.
Monica Harding arguing for more support for the operation UNWRA in Palestine to address the devastating humanitarian crisis.
At the time of writing this, there have been reports by the BBC that ceasefire talks are in their final stage. I know these talks have happened before and broken down before an agreement, but I sincerely hope that this time an agreement can be reached, and we will see peace in the new year.
Even then it won’t be easy with a significant amount of rebuilding: both of infrastructure but also of trust. Without a lot of work, we risk these cycles of violence repeating themselves in the future. This will be a time for the UK to lean in and I will be calling on the Government to meet our responsibilities.
In the meantime, I wish you and your families a peaceful festive season as we ourselves pray for peace.