This is a summary of the mentions of Palestine and Palestinian rights in Parliament for the week beginning Monday 16th November. This is for those monitoring what’s happening in Parliament, and also to give everyone an opportunity to find out what MPs have been saying on the issue.
WEDNESDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2015
- Baroness Tonge: What representations are HMG making to the government of Israel concerning the allegations by Abu Anan that Israeli forces fired tear gas into or directly outside a Palestinian house resulting in the death of a baby through gas inhalation?
- Baroness Tonge: What representations are HMG making to the government of Israel concerning the destruction by Israeli forces of a water network in the northern Jordan Valley?
- Baroness Tonge: In the light of the recent report from B’Tselem about the closure policy imposed in Jerusalem, what discussions have HMG had with the government of Israel regarding the new restrictions placed on Palestinians living in East Jerusalem that limit their movement?
- Baroness Tonge: What representations have HMG made to the government of Israel concerning the right of Palestinian Christians from the West Bank to visit Jerusalem for Christmas worship?
- Baroness Tonge: What response have HMG made to the urgent call from UN agencies for respect for health premises and the right to health care in Jerusalem for Palestinians after Israeli security forces stormed an East Jerusalem medical facility on 29 October?
Nos 1-5 Lords Written Answers
EDM 720 – MILITARY COURT WATCH SUBMISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS WORKING GROUP ON ARBITRARY DETENTION
That this House notes that Military Court Watch has lodged a submission with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention relating to the detention and transfer of Palestinian minors from the West Bank to prisons located inside Israel in violation of both the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; further notes that this practice, which is classified under international law as a war crime, affects between 7,000 to 8,000 Palestinians each year, including minors, according to evidence provided by the Israeli Prison Service; and calls on the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to contest the practice in a manner consistent with its jurisdiction and mandate to ensure that relevant international standards and relevant international legal instruments accepted by both Israel and Palestine as signatories to the Fourth Geneva Convention are fully and timeously addressed.
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2015-16/720
TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2015
- Baroness Tonge: What representations have been made to the government of Israel concerning their use of live ammunition for crowd control?
- Baroness Tonge: What assessment have HMG made of the new Israel Defence Forces rules of engagement with Palestinian stone-throwers, and the Israeli sentencing policy towards those individuals?
- Baroness Tonge: What representations have HMG made to the government of Israel about the demolition of the homes of Palestinian suspects as an act of collective punishment and deterrence?
- Baroness Tonge: What discussions have HMG had with Israeli ministers over the prosecution of settlers for acts of violence against Palestinians?
- Baroness Tonge: What discussions have HMG had with the government of Israel concerning the case for ensuring accountability for violence both by Israeli settlers and by the Israel Defence Forces as a means to restore calm in the West Bank?
- Baroness Tonge: What progress has been made in bringing to justice those responsible for the arson attack on the Dawabsheh family in Duma?
Nos 1-6 Lords Written Answers
MONDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2015
- Foreign Secretary attends Brussels FAC where Ministers are expected to discuss the recent heightened tensions and violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The High Representative will brief Ministers on her recent meetings with President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Commons Written Statements
- Debate on Famagusta – Motion moved by David Burrowes:
Matthew Offord: We often hear in this Chamber—I am sure the Minister has heard me say it to him many times—about the settlements in Israel and how they are illegal under international law. I am sure, Madam Deputy Speaker, that you are glad that I will not be opening up that debate, but I never hear criticism of Turkey for doing the same thing, yet its actions are a clear breach of the fourth Geneva convention. Article 49 makes it clear that an occupying power may not forcibly deport protected persons or deport or transfer parts of its civilian population into occupied territory. Turkey has done this; Turkey has clearly breached this convention and there can be no dispute that immigration to the occupied territory is unlawful. (extract)
Commons Debates
END