Written question asked by Marquess of Lothian (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 July 2014, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 August 2014. It was answered by Baroness Warsi (Conservative) on Monday, 4 August 2014 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Middle East

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent representations they have made to the government of Israel about their ground incursion into Gaza.

Answer: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), discussed the current crisis in Gaza with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories between 23-24 July. He made clear that whilst Israel had a right to self-defence, any response must be proportionate and maximum efforts made to avoid civilian casualties. He urged progress towards a ceasefire.

Secondary information