FRIDAY 23 JANUARY 2015
- International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill:
– Lord Anderson: “We must also be prepared to challenge political correctness; for example, in confronting problems of long-term population increase. [passage omitted] For example, who dares point out that ….. the population of Gaza was in 1948 250,000 and is now 1.8 million on that small territory?” [edited excerpt]
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldhansrd/text/150123-0001.htm#15012340000373
– Baroness Uddin: “[T]he continued commitment of the British Government to the people of Palestine through DfID, which has exceeded £350 million during the past five years, must be commended. It remains one of the largest donors in support of Gaza—as mothers and children begin their journey towards survival—since the brutal assault by the Israeli forces last summer. Here, DfID alone cannot begin to compensate for the loss of livelihood and damage inflicted to infrastructure. I hope that our ongoing financial commitments and expertise will encourage other donors speedily to give attention to this critical situation.”
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldhansrd/text/150123-0002.htm
THURSDAY 22 JANUARY 2015
- What is HMG’s assessment of the selection procedure for the next United Nations Secretary-General – asked by Baroness Falkner:
– Lord Dykes: Will the British Government encourage the next Secretary-General to deal with Israel-Palestine, where the United States has constantly allowed Israel to disobey international law via a succession of vetoes?
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldhansrd/text/150122-0001.htm#15012259000347
Lords Oral Questions
- Lord Warner: Does evidence that an individual persistently undertook, permitted or financed illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories trigger consideration as to whether that individual’s conduct is not conducive to the public good?
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldhansrd/text/150122w0001.htm#15012258000246
- Baroness Tonge: What precise fishing limits are imposed by the government of Israel off the Gaza coast; and what is the current extent of the Gaza Buffer Zone?
- Baroness Tonge: What are the implications for HMG if, as a signatory to the Fourth Geneva Convention, they except Israel from the terms of the Convention?
Nos 3-4 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldhansrd/text/150122w0001.htm#15012258000253
- Lord Turnberg: What co-operation have HMG had from Hamas in the reconstruction of civilian property in Gaza?
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldhansrd/text/150122w0001.htm#15012258000260
Nos 2-5 Lords Written Answers
WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY 2015
- PMQs:
– David Winnick: “As we know, next week it will be 70 years since Auschwitz was liberated by the Russians. Is it not important that, when issues such as Palestine are raised—I have raised it and will continue to do so—it should be no excuse for anti-Semitism, a murderous disease that took the lives of millions of innocent people during my lifetime?”
Commons Oral Answers
- Debate on Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism:
– Sir Hugh Bayley: “The protest that took place on the Sunday after the appalling killings in Paris united the whole of Europe, and people from beyond Europe. It is difficult to think of any other demonstration that could have brought together the President of Palestine and the Prime Minister of Israel, who walked side by side.” [extract]
Commons Debates
- Mark Williams: What assessment has DfIF Secretary made of the long-term health care needs of victims of Operation Protective Edge; what funding and other assistance is DfID giving to address those needs; and over what time period will that funding and assistance be given?
Commons Written Answers
- Naomi Long: What steps is the Government taking to work with partners in the region to ensure that sufficient aid for reconstruction reaches Gaza following the recent conflict?
Commons Written Answers
TUESDAY 20 JANUARY 2015
- Questions to the Foreign Secretary:
– Philip Hollobone, Louise Ellman, Crispin Blunt and Ian Austin asked about Turkish support for Hamas.
– Rosie Cooper asked about the freedom of Christians to practise under the PA and Hamas. [Topical Question T6]
Commons Oral Answers
- Mike Freer: What assessment has Foreign Secretary made of the military capability of Hamas?
Commons Written Answers
- Lord Hylton: What steps are HMG taking to speed up payment of the sums pledged in Cairo for the reconstruction of Gaza, and will they ask Israel to contribute?
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldhansrd/text/150120w0001.htm#15012048000205
Lords Written Answers
MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015
- Lord Hylton: What representations are HMG making to the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority towards achieving access to the Noble Sanctuary in Jerusalem, and other historic sites, for Palestinians in the West Bank and more widely for visitors from the Middle East and the rest of the world?
- Baroness Tonge: Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 31 December, what action have HMG taken to ensure that Israel has fulfilled its legal obligations under applicable international law?
- Baroness Tonge: Further to the Written Answer by Lord Livingston of Parkhead on 17 December, what representations have HMG made to Israel concerning the 12 licences for components issued which could be part of equipment used by the Israel Defence Force and include components for combat aircraft, for military radars, and for targeting equipment?
Nos 1-3 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldhansrd/text/150119w0001.htm#1501197000136
- Baroness Tonge: What discussions have HMG had with the government of the United States regarding the United States–Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014?
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldhansrd/text/150119w0001.htm#1501197000137
- Baroness Tonge: Are HMG aware of any current discussions concerning Gaza’s gas fields; and what assessment have they made of the ownership of those gas fields?
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldhansrd/text/150119w0001.htm#1501197000144
Nos 1-5 Lords Written Answers