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Israel and Palestine: Gaza

My Lords, I am grateful. May I join all noble Lords who have so sincerely tendered their congratulations to the Government and to the Minister on the honourable and effective part played in the achievement of the albeit fragile peace described by the noble Lord, Lord Judd? Does the Minister accept that the fragility of that peace is bound to be very greatly affected by the success or otherwise of interdicting the resupply of rockets to Hamas? I appreciate that that is not the only factor but it is a crucial one. Does he accept that interdiction on the high seas would be entirely consistent with the most classical principles of international law? Has any hint been given of support for Britain—this is not a matter for which we can be responsible alone—from the United States, the European Union and particularly, if that were humanly possible, from any of the Arab League states?