Written question asked by Robert Courts (Conservative) on Monday, 22 May 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 May 2023. It was answered by David Rutley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 31 May 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Israel: Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to condemn Iran for its alleged support for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s recent attacks on Israel.

Answer: The UK Government regularly assesses the impact of Iran's destabilising activity throughout the region, including its political, financial and military support to several militant and proscribed groups, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). Such activity compromises the region's security, its ability to prosper and escalates already high tensions, with consequences for the international community. It is for this reason that we currently have over 350 sanctions in place against the Iranian regime. PIJ and other terrorist groups must cease their campaign of violence, for which there is no justification. As the Foreign Secretary said in his 14 May statement, we welcome the current Egyptian-brokered ceasefire and urge all sides to de-escalate tensions.

Secondary information