THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013
1. Foreign Secretary attended FAC on 31 January where Ministers considered Middle East Peace Process. Commons Written Statements
2. Jim Cunningham: Will HMG consider banning export of weapons and components to Israel?
3. Jim Cunningham: What consideration has HMG given to banning UK companies from manufacturing components sold to Israel to make drones?Nos 2-3
Commons Written Answers
4. Baroness Tonge: What is HMG’s most recent assessment of incidence of (1) anaemia, (2) stunted growth, and (3) malnutrition, in Gaza? Lords Written Answers
5. The role of civil society in promoting peace in Israel and Palestine:
– Baroness Falkner: NGOs on both sides are hampered by donors’ habit of “relying on the ‘tabloid test’ of what the headline will say if it transpires that we ‘backed’ a terrorist.”
– Lord Sheikh: We must recognise role of groups like OneVoice in quest for lasting peace and continue to support them.
– Lord Judd: WaterAid could help in Gaza, where 95% of water is unfit for human consumption and 700,000 people depend on UNWRA handouts.
– Lord Palmer: Hamas closed down NGOs that support normalisation. On water the way forward is to secure peace with Israel and build desalination plants organised by Israel. No substitute for negotiating without preconditions.
– Lord Bew: Irish model cannot apply in ME “awash with selfish strategic interest of great powers” and hatred. Refers to Morsi saying Jews descended from apes and dogs.
– Bishop of Bath and Wells: Seeing 10 year-old Palestinian girls at post-conflict trauma group, he wondered “what kind of humanity leaves behind a child – any child – unable to hold on to its future?”
– Lord Clinton-Davis: Israeli Arabs have full citizenship and sit in Knesset; nowhere in Arab world does that apply to Jews. Continuous call for Israel’s total destruction is what has led to “some of the adverse reactions of a beleaguered nation”. If 1947 partition plan had been accepted by the Palestinians, the two peoples could have lived in peace and prosperity.
– Lord Janner: Hamas a strong influence; not a government but a terrorist group wanting Israel’s annihilation. Mentions “price tag” attacks by extremist settlers on Hand in Hand schools. Quotes 2009-10 figures for HMG funding of civil society groups.
– Baroness Tonge: To show that we still care about the Israeli and Palestinian people nearly 100 years after the Balfour Declaration, HMG should plan a London conference to encourage civil society, inviting representatives from all sides, including the IPI team of Koby Huberman. “And perhaps we could make amends for the appalling way in which the Arab Israeli Sheikh Raed Salah was treated, on the advice of the Community Security Trust alone, when he came on a lecture tour in this country.”
– Baroness Ramsay: Social activism engages about a third of Israelis, mostly the young. There is less freedom for this in WB, while in Gaza Hamas has closed down pro-normalisation groups.
– Baroness Deech: Calls for UNWRA to be dissolved, as it militates against peace, holds Palestinians back from rebuilding their lives, perpetuating their refugee status. Its schools teach hatred, glorify terrorism and suicide bombings. HMG should not support partisan NGOs. “You could argue that Israel behaves in the way she does in part because the lessons learnt from the Holocaust were that she can never rely on the armed strength or support of others.” Refers to recent examples of “anti-Semitic” talk. “Support for Israel by churches and politicians here would do more than anything else to encourage Israel to take the brave steps it needs to take – steps that it thinks will endanger its existence.”
– Lord Stone: Urges support for IPI in its mission to get Israel’s leaders to make an official response to API. Lists co-operation projects in farming, food and water. Stresses need for media to report the positives and not stir up negative emotions.
– Lord Beecham: Declares interest as vice-chairman of New Israel Fund UK. Lasting peace inconceivable if Israel treats its Arabs, who are “potentially a valuable economic resource”, as second-class. That is not what the Declaration of Independence proclaims. Regrets that some UK TUs seek to boycott Histadrut. Praises FoE ME. Hopes HMG will urge Israel not to limit foreign donations to NGOs.
– Lord Triesman: In wide-ranging speech highlights role of football in ending discrimination in Israel. “One of the right-wing football clubs, Beitar Jerusalem, had a bunch of arrogant supporters who objected to Arab players representing the club. The club owner, Arkady Gaydamak, with a good deal of support from Shimon Peres, and Ehud Olmert, who, as it happens, is a supporter of the club and, in Gaydamak’s case is not a known softhearted political liberal, denounced that discrimination to the widespread support of the football community around the world. In that sporting environment, we see real change.” Praises work of FA. Regrets UK academic boycotts.
– Lord Wallace: Reminds Baroness Deech that extremist settlers also “fuel the flames”. Disagrees with her comments on UNWRA and refugees and suggests that as a fellow lawyer she might like to discuss with Baroness Scotland the findings of the FCO-funded independent report on Palestinian children in Israeli detention. Support to NGOs is high priority for HMG. Gives UK and EU funding figures. Hopes new government will not give in to right wing pressure to limit foreign donations.
Lords Debate
WEDNESDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2013
1. Pauline Latham: What recent discussions has Business Secretary had with Israel on furthering UK-Israel scientific collaboration?Commons Written Answers
2. Richard Burden: What assessment has Foreign Secretary made of the risk of UAVs containing components exported to Israel being used during Operation Cloud Pillar (a) for internal repression, (b) to provoke or prolong armed conflicts and (c) to aggravate existing tensions or conflict? Commons Written Answers
3. Guto Bebb: When did PA begin making payments to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails using UK aid?
4. Jack Lopresti: How does DfID monitor payments made to families of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails?
5. Jack Lopresti: What measures does DfID take to ensure PA payments to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are transparent, needs-based and affordable?
6. Jack Lopresti: What safeguards does DfID have in place covering provision of UK assistance to PA? Nos 3-6 Commons Written Answers
TUESDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2013
1. Cathy Jamieson: What representations has Foreign Secretary made to Israel concerning child prisoners?
2. Anas Sarwar: What discussions has Foreign Secretary had in the UN on imposition of arms embargo against Israel and OPTs?
Nos 1-2 Commons Written Answers
3. Anas Sarwar: What discussions has Foreign Secretary had in the UN on establishment of WMD-free zone in ME?
Commons Written Answers
4. Alec Shelbrooke: What reports has Foreign Secretary received on number of Qassam and Grad rockets and mortar bombs launched into Israel from Gaza in 2012 and number of casualties caused by them?
5. Paul Maynard: What steps is Foreign Secretary taking to ensure that Hamas renounce violence and recognise Israel?
Commons Written Answers
6. Pamela Nash: What discussions has Foreign Secretary had with Israel on Palestine?
7. Jim Cunningham: What is Foreign Secretary’s assessment of the effect of home demolitions in Al-Maleh and Al-Mayta villages on the UK’s Israel policy ?
8. Jim Cunningham: Will Foreign Secretary discuss the Al-Maleh home demolitions with Israeli Ambassador?
9. Jim Cunningham: What discussions has Foreign Secretary had with Israel on West Bank home demolitions?
10. Jim Cunningham: Will Foreign Secretary urge Israel to reverse IDF decision to declare Al-Maleh region a closed military zone and permit aid agencies to provide assistance?
11. Jim Cunningham: Will Foreign Secretary urge Israel to list building ban on Palestinians in Jordan Valley Area C?
12. Michael Ellis: What reports has Foreign Secretary received on smuggling of weapons into Gaza?
13. David Burrowes: What reports has Foreign Secretary received on whether Hamas will dismantle Al-Qassam brigades as part of reconciliation with Fatah?
14. David Burrowes: What discussions has Foreign Secretary had about implications of Hamas-Fatah reconciliation for the peace process?
15. Jessica Lee: What discussions has Foreign Secretary had with PA on incitement?
16. Sir Bob Russell: Will Foreign Secretary publish his response to the conclusions of the report “Children in Military Custody”?
Commons Written Answers
17. Guto Bebb: What discussions has DfID Secretary had with PA on payments to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails?
Commons Written Answers
18. Baroness Tonge: What representations has Foreign Secretary made to Israel on fatalities and injuries in Gaza buffer zone since 21 November ceasefire?
19. Baroness Tonge: What representations has Foreign Secretary made to Israel on reports of a naval vessel firing on Gaza fishermen within 6 mile zone since 21 November ceasefire?
Lords Written Answers
20. Baroness Tonge: What representations has Foreign Secretary made to Israel on Al-Maleh home demolitions?
Lords Written Answers
21. Baroness Tonge: What representations has Foreign Secretary made to Israel on shooting of Anwar Al-Malouk?
Lords Written Answers
MONDAY 4th February 2013
1. Ivan Lewis (responding to DfID Secretary’s statement on Syria): What were objectives and impact of Israeli airstrikes? Commons Questions
2. Sir Bob Russell: What representations has Foreign Secretary made to Israel on its failure to adhere to provisions of UN Convention on Rights of the Child? Commons Written Answers
3. Bob Blackman: Is any DfID aid to OPTs allocated for purchase of PA-endorsed school text books?
4. Bob Blackman: How much DfID aid to OPTs will be spent on social welfare for the families of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails?
5. Bob Blackman: How much DfID aid to OPTs will be spent on Zayzafuna magazine?
6. Bob Blackman: How much DfID aid to OPTs will be spent on security for PA members on overseas visits?
7. Bob Blackman: Do Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails without spouses or children receive social welfare payments?
Nos 3-7
Commons Written Answers
8. Baroness Tonge: What discussions have HMG had with Israel on replanting olive trees damaged or destroyed by settlers? Lords Written Answers
9. Baroness Tonge: What discussions have HMG held on diplomatic status of Palestinian Mission following UN upgrade of Palestine? Lords Written Answers