THURSDAY 3 MARCH 2016
- Gavin Shuker: What recent assessment has Foreign Secretary made of the compatibility with international law of the arrest and transfer of children from the Occupied Palestinian Territories to Israel?
Commons Written Answers
WEDNESDAY 2 MARCH 2016
- Egypt: British Support:
– Jim Shannon: “Egypt is strong, Egypt is our friend, and it makes economic, political and strategic sense to ensure that it remains our friend to provide the stability necessary in the middle east, now and in the years and decades to come. Notably, al-Sisi’s top security concern is the presence of Daesh in the Sinai peninsula. Earlier I mentioned the attacks from Daesh groups in Libya, which illustrate that. That is dangerous from a human point of view, a regional and global security point of view and an economic point of view. It offers a new launch pad for the abhorrent Daesh disturbingly close to our other ally in the region, the state of Israel.
It should be remembered—no one in the Chamber will have any doubts about it—that Israel has been Egypt’s ally from the beginning of biblical times. In the past the relationships were strong, even with the Arab and the Jew. We still have that working relationship between Egypt and Israel, which is perhaps unique in the middle east, not only on economic things, but to combat Daesh and take on the threat of Palestinian terrorists. Egypt sees the threat, Israel sees the threat, and they work together to ensure that the tunnels that have been used by some, coming from Egypt towards Israel and the Palestinians, are closed off. We must recognise that Egypt plays a part in that.” [extract]
– Tobias Ellwood: “In Gaza, the UK is providing aid and working to convince Israel, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority to take steps to improve conditions, which is in the interests of Egypt’s long-term security.” [extract]
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm160302/halltext/160302h0002.htm
Westminster Hall Debates
- Maria Caulfield: What discussions have the FCO had with the government of Israel concerning recent anti-Christian vandalism at the Dormition Abbey?
- Maria Caulfield: What discussions have the FCO had with the government of Israel on the extension of the Separation Barrier in the Cremisan Valley?
- Maria Caulfield: What discussions have the FCO had with the government of Israel on the international delegation of Bishops which was recently refused access to the Cremisan Valley by Israeli security forces during a visit to the construction site of the Separation Barrier?
- David Mowat: What assessment have the FCO made of the extent of Israeli settlement-building in the occupied territories since the cessation of Operation Protective Edge?
Nos 2-5 Commons Written Answers
- Bishop of Southwark: What assessment have HMG made of the presence of Daesh in Gaza and the West Bank?
- Bishop of Southwark: What representations have HMG made to the government of Israel following its decision to start building the annexation wall in the Cremisan Valley, and in particular regarding building works on the privately owned land of Beir Onah in Beit Jala?
- Bishop of Southwark: What is HMG’s assessment of the decision by the High Court of Israel on 1 February to dismiss the latest petitions submitted by the Salesian Sisters Convent against the building of the annexation wall in the Cremisan Valley?
- Baroness Tonge: Further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for International Development, Mr Desmond Swayne on 10 February [ed: http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2016-02-03/25684] on recent demolitions by the Israeli authorities of properties funded by the EU and international donors, what action do HMG intend to take in response?
- Baroness Tonge: What representations have HMG made to the government of Israel on the aerial spraying of herbicides on 187 hectares of crops within the borders of Gaza in late December 2015?
- Baroness Tonge: What representations have HMG made to the government of Israel on the use of untested and prohibited forms of tear gas canisters?
- Lord Hylton: Are HMG making representations to the government of Israel about the case of Mohammed Al-Qeeq; and in particular what representations have they made in the light of the reports of force-feeding and drips being inserted against his will?
- Baroness Tonge: In the light of the Procurement Policy Note: Ensuring compliance with wider international obligations when letting public contracts of 17 February stating that boycotts in public procurement are inappropriate unless formal legal sanctions, embargoes and restrictions have been put in place by the UK Government, what assessment have HMG made of the connection between that advice and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office position that Israeli settlements are illegal and support for them is not encouraged?
Nos 6-13 Lords Written Answers
TUESDAY 1 MARCH 2016
- The FCO and the Spending Review 2015:
– Crispin Blunt: “The threats to the UK’s security and wellbeing are at an unprecedented level. As we said in our report, we cannot recall a more complex and challenging policy-making environment in recent decades—an environment that includes Syria, Daesh, Libya, Russia, the South China sea, Israel, Palestine, North Korea, Iran and Turkey, to name but a few.” [extract]
– Catherine West: “Given the media coverage, it would be easy to think that that [ed: Syria] was where the problem ended, but we know that millions of people have fled Sudan, Somalia, Pakistan, Burma, Iraq, Eritrea, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Gaza and the west bank—the crisis is global. I take this desperate situation as a clear example of why we need a Foreign and Commonwealth Office that is properly funded and capable of engaging with these issues. Only a properly funded Foreign Office can allow the UK to take its place at the United Nations Security Council to set an agenda that seeks to address the causes of the international refugee crisis.” [extract]
Commons Debates
- Helen Goodman: What meetings have (a) the Secretary of State for Defence and (b) Ministers of his Department had with (i) arms manufacturers, (ii) tobacco manufacturers and (iii) representatives of the Israeli embassy since the period covered in the Cabinet Office’s most recent ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings data release?
- Helen Goodman: What meetings have (a) the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and (b) Ministers of her Department had with (i) arms manufacturers, (ii) tobacco manufacturers and (iii) representatives of the Israeli embassy since the period covered in the Cabinet Office’s most recent ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings data release?
- Helen Goodman: What meetings have (a) the Foreign Secretary and (b) Ministers of his Department had with (i) arms manufacturers, (ii) tobacco manufacturers and (iii) representatives of the Israeli embassy since the period covered in the Cabinet Office’s most recent ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings data release?
Nos 2-4 Commons Written Answers
MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016
- Craig Whittaker: What reports has the FCO received on the frequency of rocket attacks from the West Bank into Israel in the last 12 months?
- Helen Goodman: What meetings have (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) Ministers of his Department had with (i) arms manufacturers, (ii) tobacco manufacturers and (iii) representatives of the Israeli embassy since the period covered in the Cabinet Office’s most recent ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings data release?
- Helen Goodman: What meetings have (a) the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and (b) Ministers of her Department had with (i) arms manufacturers, (ii) tobacco manufacturers and (iii) representatives of the Israeli embassy since the period covered in the Cabinet Office’s most recent ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings data release?
- Helen Goodman: What meetings have (a) the Secretary of State for Health and (b) Ministers of his Department had with (i) arms manufacturers, (ii) tobacco manufacturers and (iii) representatives of the Israeli embassy since the period covered in the Cabinet Office’s most recent ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings data release?
- Richard Burden: What representations has Foreign Secretary received on the detainment of Mohammed al-Qeeq in Israel?
Nos 1-5 Commons Written Answers