Proceeding contribution from Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Monday, 19 January 2009. It occurred during Ministerial statement on Gaza.
Gaza
I thank the Foreign Secretary for his statement and totally agree with him that the two key priorities for the next few days must be consolidating the ceasefire and ensuring that the urgent humanitarian aid gets through to all those who need it. May I also immediately agree with him and the Conservative spokesman that we must all fight anti-Semitism wherever it raises its ugly head? On the ceasefire, will the Foreign Secretary answer in more detail the questions put to him by the right hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague) about the Prime Minister's proposals for a Royal Navy deployment to help to stop some of the smuggling? What would be the exact terms of such a British naval deployment, not least any terms of engagement? Will he confirm whether he and his fellow Foreign Ministers made it clear to both sides that they would both be expected to implement rapidly the well-known conditions needed for a sustainable ceasefire, whether those conditions were the end of rocket attacks or the opening of the crossings into Gaza? On humanitarian assistance, will the Foreign Secretary confirm that there is no prohibition on the UN or NGOs distributing British-funded aid via the Hamas authorities when that is simply the most effective and quickest way of getting aid to stricken people? On the question of longer term support for reconstruction, will the Foreign Secretary ensure that the EU and the British Government remain pragmatic and flexible in how we get the best value for money and the quickest results for Gazans? Will he accept that whether we like it or not, urgent reconstruction will require a level of engagement with Hamas that the international community has not previously managed? There is talk of a $2 billion Arab programme for reconstruction in Gaza, but will he ensure that the EU formally requests the Israeli Government to make significant contributions, too? As the world reflects on the past few weeks, will the Foreign Secretary give more details on the timing of the investigations into any breaches of international law by either side that the UN or others might want to pursue? May I also return to the reassurances that he gave me last Monday, when he said that no British-made weapons or weapons components were used by the Israeli defence forces in their operations against Gaza? In general, will he commit to provide to the House as soon as possible a full report of the evidence used by the Government to monitor compliance with the Government's policies in relation to arms export licences granted for arms sales to Israel? In particular, will he confirm for the record that the Israeli-owned British company UAV Engines did not supply any parts for any of the Israeli drones used? Perhaps the most ominous words today come from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, who said that the Arab peace initiative will not be on the table for ever. Does the Foreign Secretary agree that that is the clearest diplomatic signal yet of the grave damage that the conflict has brought on Israel's own long-term interests for peace? Does he agree that such views mean that everyone must now redouble their efforts for a lasting peace in the middle east?
Secondary information
- Type
- Proceeding contribution
- Reference
- 486 c506-7
- Session
- 2008-09
- Chamber / Committee
- House of Commons chamber
- Subjects
- Armed conflict Borders Humanitarian aid United Nations Israel Palestine Middle East Peace negotiations Gaza Hamas League of Arab States Ceasefires
- Link
- View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk
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- 2024-04-16 21:43:56 +0100
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- http://data.parliament.uk/pimsdata/hansard/CONTRIBUTION_519235
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